How to Build a Parallel Approval in Power Automate

This Power Automate tutorial will guide everything about Power Automate Parallel Approval like what is power automate parallel approval and how to create power automate parallel approval using cloud flow.

Let’s start!

Power Automate Parallel Approval

In a Power Automate parallel approval, a single approval request is sent to multiple approvers, and each approver’s approval process works on its own (i.e., individual from others).

While working with the approval items such as invoices, purchase orders, vacation requests, etc, we may need multiple approvals at once. In such cases, we can use parallel approval to get the approval.

Also, Read: Working with Power Automate Approval Connectors

Create Parallel Approval WorkFlow in Power Automate

In this section, we will see how to create a parallel approval workflow in Power Automate.

To make it work, we have to use a scenario in which the employee has to take approval for Travelling. Traveling approvals are required from the employee’s manager and the Human Resources team. For that, we have to take a SharePoint Online List first and we will use this list to request approval. The flow sends an email with status changes and then updates SharePoint Online List with the decisions.

• Open Power Automate home page -> Click on Create.

• In this window, click on Automated cloud flow.

• In this window, you have to insert the value for the listed below.
  • Flow name: Give the name for the flow. Here, I have given Travel Request.
  • Choose your flow’s trigger: Select the trigger you want to initiate the flow. I have chosen When an item is created.
• Click on Create.

• Now, you can see the created -> Select Site Address -> Insert the List name (Travel Request).

• Click on +New step -> In Choose an operation pane, search start and you will see ‘Start and wait for an approval‘ under Actions -> Now, select ‘Start and wait for an approval‘.

• In this window, insert the options listed below.
  • Approval type: Here, you have to select the type of approval as per the need. I have chosen ‘Approve/Reject – Everyone must approve’.
  • Title: In this part, you have to select the title. I have selected Travel Approval Request.
  • Assigned to: Insert the email id for the person you want to assign the approval to.
  • Details: Here in this section, you have to write for what you want the approval.

• Click on … ellipses -> Click on Rename.

• Now, rename the section as per your need. I have renamed it to HR Approval Status.
• Similarly, I have added one more Start and wait for an approval action. Only I have done one change i.e. rename the section to Manager Approval Status.

• Again click on the +New step as shown below.

• Select Condition under Actions.

• In this section, click on choose a value -> Select the value underlying Dynamic content. I have selected HR Approval Status which is equal to Approved as per my scenario.

• Click on + Add -> Select Add a row as shown below.

• Click on Choose a value -> Select the value underlying Dynamic content. I have selected Manager Approval Status which is equal to Approved as per my scenario.

• Click on ‘Add an action‘ under the ‘If yes’ condition.

• Navigate to the search box, search Send an email -> Select Send an email (V2).

• In this section, select the options mentioned below.
  • To: Insert the name or email of the person who will receive the email.
  • Subject: Here, write about the status of the approval, if you want can write the subject as per your requirement.
  • Body: Here, write the message that will be sent in an email.

• Similarly, in the If no section follow the steps as in the If yes section. Only change the Subject to Request is rejected as shown below.

• Again, click on + Add an action in the If yes section, this will let you know about the Updated item.

• In this part, search Updated item and select it from under Actions.

• Here, insert details about the updated item as listed below.
  • Site Address: Select the SharePoint Online Site Address.
  • List name: Here you have to select the SharePoint Online List.
  • Id: Select the ID underlying the dynamic content.
  • Title: Select the Title underlying the dynamic content.
  • Final Status Value: Here you have to select the status as Approved.

• Similarly, in the If no section follow the same steps as mentioned in the If yes part. Only you have to do one change i.e. in the Final Status value, select Rejected -> Click on Save.

• Now, you see a message show that Your flow is ready to go. We recommend you test it. -> Click on Test as shown below.

• In the Test Flow window, select Manually -> Click on Test

• You can a message pops up suggesting To see it work now, add a new list item to the SharePoint folder you selected.

• Open a SharePoint Online List that we have selected -> Click on +New -> Insert the value for the required field as shown below -> Click on Save.

• Open the Flow here you can a message that your flow ran successfully when HR and Manager both approved the request.

• Go back to the SharePoint Online List, you will see the Final Approval Status is Approved.

This is how we can Create Parallel Approval WorkFlow in Power Automate.

You might also be interested in the following Power Automate tutorial:

• How to Send Email Using If Condition in Power Automate
• How to Send an Email Notification When an Item is Deleted via Power Automate
• Overview of Power Automate Connectors, Triggers, Actions
• Power Apps Button Control [How to Use]
• How to Export SharePoint Online Document Library to Excel
• How to Filter Power Apps Gallery by Person

Conclusion

From this Power Automate tutorial, we have learned everything about Power Automate Parallel Approval such as what it is, how to create a parallel approval workflow in Power Automate, etc.