PL-900 Practice Question: Demonstrate the capabilities of Power Automate
Your company uses Power Automate to handle approvals for purchase orders. You need to create a flow that triggers when an item is added to a SharePoint list, checks if the amount exceeds $10,000, and if so, sends an approval request to the finance manager. If approved, the item status should be updated to 'Approved'. Which type of flow should you use?
⚠ Common exam trap
The trap is confusing 'automated' with 'instant' flows — candidates must map the trigger type (event-based vs. manual) to the correct flow category, not the action performed.
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Automated cloud flow
An automated cloud flow is triggered automatically by an event, such as an item being added to a SharePoint list. This matches the requirement: the flow must start when a new purchase order item is created, evaluate the amount, and conditionally send an approval. Automated flows are the correct type for event-driven, server-side orchestration without user initiation.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
Automated cloud flow
Why this is correct
An automated cloud flow triggers on an event such as a SharePoint item being added, satisfying the stem's requirement. It then evaluates the amount with a condition and posts an approval, updating the item status on approval.
- ✗
Business process flow
Why it's wrong here
A business process flow is a guided stage model for users working in a table; it cannot trigger on a SharePoint item, evaluate an amount, or send an approval. It suits enforcing consistent stages across a case or opportunity lifecycle, not conditional automation.
- ✗
Instant cloud flow
Why it's wrong here
An instant cloud flow requires manual triggering, so it cannot fire automatically when a SharePoint item is added. It suits on-demand user-initiated tasks, such as a button that starts an approval on a selected record, not event-driven list monitoring.
- ✗
Desktop flow
Why it's wrong here
Desktop flows drive a Windows desktop through UI automation, so they cannot subscribe to SharePoint list events or run unattended in the cloud. They suit automating legacy applications lacking APIs, such as copying data between desktop-only systems.
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Last reviewed September 2026 · checked against the official Microsoft exam blueprint
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