Power Automate, part of the Microsoft Power Platform, offers powerful tools to automate workflows and integrate services. Among its capabilities, HTTP request actions stand out as a flexible and essential feature for interacting with APIs and connecting services like Microsoft Teams, SharePoint, and Microsoft Entra ID. These actions enable users to automate complex processes, retrieve or send data, and create seamless integrations between systems.

This article explores different HTTP request actions in Power Automate, focusing on common Microsoft services such as Teams, SharePoint, and Entra ID. We’ll also define what “In-App” HTTP requests mean and how they enhance workflow automation.

1. What Are HTTP Request Actions in Power Automate?

HTTP request actions are used in Power Automate to communicate with APIs. These actions support the four primary HTTP methods:

1. GET: Retrieve information from a resource or server (e.g., fetching a user’s profile).

2. POST: Create new resources or send data to a server (e.g., submitting form data).

3. PUT: Update or completely replace a resource.

4. PATCH: Partially update specific properties of an existing resource (e.g., changing just the status of an item).

5. DELETE: Remove a resource from a server (e.g., deleting a SharePoint item).

Each method plays a critical role in enabling dynamic workflows and extending the capabilities of Power Automate by integrating with external or internal systems via APIs.

2. Types of HTTP Request Actions in Power Automate

a) Microsoft Teams HTTP Actions

Microsoft Teams HTTP actions automate collaboration and notification workflows, integrating deeply into team activities. Key use cases include:

Sending Messages or Adaptive Cards: Use HTTP POST requests to notify users or send interactive cards in Teams chats and channels.

Creating Channels: Automate the creation of new Teams channels via a POST request.

Updating Teams Data: Use a PATCH request to update the properties of a specific channel or team, such as its display name or description.

Managing Memberships: Add or remove members from Teams using HTTP actions tied to the Microsoft Graph API.

These actions allow organizations to simplify team collaboration and automate notifications, ensuring that employees are kept informed in real time.

b) SharePoint HTTP Actions

SharePoint HTTP actions provide robust automation for managing lists, libraries, and site settings. Examples include:

Fetching Data from SharePoint Lists: Use an HTTP GET request to retrieve list items or file metadata.

Creating or Updating Items: Automate data entry with POST or PUT requests.

Partial Updates with PATCH: Make specific changes to SharePoint list items, such as updating the status of a task or modifying a single field, without affecting other fields. For instance:

Endpoint: 

https://{site_url}/_api/web/lists/getbytitle('ListName')/items(itemID)

Body: { "Status": "Completed" }

Deleting Records: Automate cleanup tasks using an HTTP DELETE request.

Using these actions, businesses can streamline data workflows, ensuring real-time synchronization between SharePoint and other tools.

c) Office 365 Users HTTP Actions

Office 365 HTTP actions enable workflows to interact with user data within the organization. Scenarios include:

Retrieving User Details: Use HTTP GET requests to fetch user attributes like email, department, or manager details.

Updating User Properties with PATCH: Automate changes to specific user properties such as job title, phone number, or location. This allows organizations to keep directory data accurate and up-to-date.

Triggering Notifications: Use custom HTTP workflows to notify users of tasks or events.

The combination of GET, PATCH, and POST requests ensures that workflows involving user data remain flexible and efficient, reducing manual effort.

d) HTTP Actions with Microsoft Entra ID

Microsoft Entra ID (formerly Azure Active Directory) supports HTTP actions to automate identity and access management tasks. Use cases include:

1. User Management:

Fetch user profiles with a GET request.

Update user properties (e.g., roles, display names) with a PATCH request. For instance:

Endpoint: 

https://graph.microsoft.com/v1.0/users/{user_id}

Body: { "jobTitle": "Senior Manager" }

Add users to groups or manage group memberships dynamically with POST or DELETE requests.

2. Application Management:

Register new applications or modify existing configurations with POST or PATCH.

Automate the assignment of API permissions to applications using HTTP requests.

3. Access Tokens for Authentication:

Use a POST request to retrieve OAuth 2.0 tokens from the Microsoft Entra ID token endpoint. These tokens are then used to authenticate subsequent HTTP actions.

The inclusion of PATCH requests provides precision for identity workflows, allowing partial updates to user profiles or application configurations without overwriting existing data.

3. What Does “In-App” Mean for HTTP Request Actions?

“In-App” HTTP requests refer to actions triggered within Power Automate or its connected applications. These requests:

Operate securely within the Power Platform, leveraging integrated authentication mechanisms.

Simplify API interactions by managing tokens and permissions automatically for supported services.

Focus on internal workflows that interact with data or services tied to Power Apps, Teams, or other tools in the Microsoft ecosystem.

For example, an “In-App” HTTP request might update a SharePoint list item based on a condition in a Power App or send a notification to a Teams channel when a task is completed.

4. Benefits of Using HTTP Request Actions

The flexibility and power of HTTP request actions in Power Automate come with numerous benefits:

1. Comprehensive Integration: Connect workflows to APIs for both Microsoft and third-party services.

2. Custom Automation: Build workflows tailored to specific organizational requirements.

3. Efficiency: Automate repetitive tasks and ensure real-time updates across systems.

4. Precision with PATCH Requests: Make partial updates to resources, avoiding the risk of overwriting unnecessary data.

5. Scalability: Extend workflows as business needs evolve.

5. Best Practices for HTTP Request Actions

Understand the API Documentation: Familiarize yourself with the API endpoints, required parameters, and authentication methods for the service you’re using.

Secure Your Workflows: Use OAuth 2.0 or API keys securely, and consider storing credentials in a secure location such as Azure Key Vault.

Use PATCH Strategically: Apply PATCH requests when only specific properties need updating to improve performance and avoid overwriting unintended data.

Test Thoroughly: Validate HTTP request actions before deployment to ensure they function as intended.

Monitor and Optimize: Regularly check the performance of your HTTP actions to identify bottlenecks or opportunities for improvement.

6. Summary

HTTP request actions in Power Automate unlock endless possibilities for workflow automation and system integration. By leveraging methods like GET, POST, PUT, PATCH, and DELETE, makers and administrators can interact with services like Teams, SharePoint, and Microsoft Entra ID, as well as custom APIs. The precision provided by PATCH requests makes it easier to implement efficient and reliable updates to resources.

Whether you're automating notifications, updating user profiles, or integrating complex systems, HTTP request actions provide the tools needed to enhance productivity and drive digital transformation.