You are the link between the apps
The details are already in an email or a form. You move them to the spreadsheet or list by hand, then send another message to keep the process going.
Three guided builds · From first flow to AI-assisted approval
Turn copying, chasing and approvals into flows you understand.
Build three practical Power Automate examples in order: an email approval, a request process across Microsoft 365 and an AI-assisted travel approval. Test what each flow does before adapting it to work. Your Learning Pass includes the complete Power Automate Builders Space.
Learning with Collab365.
In our members’ words.
The problem this project tackles
Does this sound familiar?
You copy the details, send the request and chase the person who needs to approve it. Again. A flow should be able to handle parts of this, but the tutorial skips the awkward bit: what happens when the request takes a different route, the data is wrong or someone doesn't approve?
The example stops where your questions start
You can follow the clicks, but a different field or approval outcome leaves you guessing. Another tutorial gives you a different approach rather than explaining this one.
The flow says it ran. Did the right thing happen?
A successful run isn't the whole story. You need to check what was written, who was notified and what happened when a request was rejected or incomplete.
What you are working towards
Finish with a result you can use.
You have built and tested the three course examples, checked their outputs and recorded the permissions and connections they need. You can explain the main branches and approval points, and know what you must review before adapting a flow to your own team.
Why this approach
Learn the connections by building and checking a whole process. The three courses move from a simple approval to branching requests and AI-assisted decisions, so you can see how the parts work together before adapting them to your own team.
Your first useful step
Build an email-triggered flow that asks for approval and records the approved details in Excel. Follow one request through it so you can see what each step actually does.
See the results this project works towards
- An email approval flow that records approved data in Excel.
- A Forms-to-SharePoint request process with different approval outcomes.
- Teams updates connected to the request process.
- An AI-assisted travel request with structured output and human approval.
- Practice tracing a request through the flow and checking the result.
- A clearer view of the connections, permissions and tests your own flow will need.
Your learning path · 3 core steps
Build a simple flow. Add the branches. Then bring in AI.
- 1Course
Build an email-to-Excel approval flow
An email approval flow that records approved data in Excel.
What this step covers
Combine email processing, text extraction, approval and Excel storage into one complete beginner flow instead of stopping at isolated actions.
- 2Course
Build a request process with custom approval outcomes
A Forms-to-SharePoint request process with different approval outcomes.
What this step covers
Connect Forms, SharePoint, custom approval responses, Switch branches and Teams so one request retains its data and status from start to finish.
- 3Course
Build an AI-assisted travel request flow with human approval
Teams updates connected to the request process.
What this step covers
Use OpenAI, Parse JSON, approval and run history together so AI supports the request without making the final decision or hiding failure evidence.
At your own pace. 3–6 weeks, with extra time for building, testing and arranging the required tool access.
Before you start
Is this the right project for you?
Who it’s for
Power Automate beginners and Microsoft 365 users asked to automate approvals or recurring admin. You should be comfortable using Microsoft 365 and able to get the app, connector and data permissions described in each course.
- Level
- Beginner to intermediate
- Access
- 90-day Learning Pass
What you’ll need
- A work or school Microsoft 365 account with Power Automate, Forms, SharePoint, Excel and Teams enabled for the exercises.
- Permission to create flows and use the required connectors in your tenant. Your organisation's licensing and data policies still apply.
- For PathFinder: access to the Premium OpenAI Independent Publisher preview connector and your own OpenAI API key. The connector is unavailable in some government and China regions.
Check the fit:
This is guided learning, not a done-for-you automation service. Microsoft licences, connector access and AI usage may cost extra. The example flows need testing and permission checks before you adapt them to a live business process.
People learning with Collab365
What our learners say.
Feedback from Collab365 Spaces and our former Academy, shared on Google and Trustpilot.
“They operate by providing learning in manageable chunks, using real world examples in easy to understand teaching methods.”
“The guided, step-by-step setup makes it very hard to miss something or go down the wrong path, which saves a lot of trial and error.”
“The community is kind, smart, and generous with their knowledge and has saved my sanity more than once.”
“The most useful part has been the way complex changes are distilled into something I can quickly understand and evaluate.”
Your bonus · full supporting Space access
The complete learning library. Included.
The whole Power Automate Builders Space comes with it.
The Complete Power Automate Builders Space is yours to explore for 90 days with your Learning Pass. Explore the full library and join the community alongside your Board.
And it keeps growing. Everything added to this Space during your 90 days is included too.
Explore everything included
90 days of full Space access
7 extra courses to build your skills. Beyond the steps in this Board.
- 7courses
- 16briefings
- 3reusable Blueprints
- 187Pulse updates
Explore the full library. Yours for 90 days.
Browse the courses, practical resources and updates included alongside your Board.
| Courses | Included |
|---|---|
| Check Power Automate Cost and Admin Risk Before You Build Power Automate makers map one planned flow against connector licensing, run context, affected users, and flow placement. The output is a Pre-Build Decision Record for admin or finance review before any build begins. | Included with your pass |
Loading included resources…
More about your Space bonus
Your 90-day Learning Pass opens the complete Power Automate Builders Space. Go beyond these three builds with courses and resources on testing, failed runs, ownership, licensing and handover. New material added to the Space during your pass is included too.
Full supporting-Space access lasts for your chosen 90-day period. Afterwards, protected steps require continuing Space access. Your Board, progress, private notes and saved work remain afterwards.
Before you decide
Your questions, answered.
What is included, how access works and what to expect from the project.
What happens after the 90-day Learning Pass?
Your progress, private notes and saved work remain on your account. Full access to protected content in Power Automate Builders lasts for the period you choose; afterwards, protected steps require an active plan, permanent Space ownership or Team access.
When does the Learning Pass start?
Your 90-day Learning Pass starts when payment is confirmed, not when you first open a lesson or Board item.
What if I already have this Board or its Spaces?
The page checks your account and Team access before checkout. It keeps your existing Board and progress, avoids duplicate charges, and shows the right ongoing option if the one-off offer no longer applies.
Why not just ask AI?
AI can answer individual questions. This Board adds the chosen sequence, named outputs, progress tracking and related Space material for the context and edge cases you would otherwise have to assemble yourself.
How much work should I expect?
3–6 weeks, with extra time for building, testing and arranging the required tool access. The complete learning path is visible on this page before you start.
Will Collab365 do the work for me?
No. The Board gives you a practical learning path and supporting material, but you still make the decisions and do the work. It is a product, not a done-for-you consulting service.
Can I start as a Power Automate beginner?
Yes. The path starts with a straightforward email approval and moves into more involved examples. Basic familiarity with Microsoft 365 will help you follow the app and data setup.
How much time should I allow?
The courses contain about five hours of recorded teaching. Allow additional time to build, test, solve access issues and practise. A 3–6 week pace gives you room to work through each stage.
Which tools and licences do I need?
The builds use Power Automate and Microsoft 365 apps including Excel, Forms, SharePoint and Teams. The AI stage also requires the connector access and AI account described in that course. Check the current course requirements with your administrator; licences, connector access and API usage are separate from the Learning Pass.
Can I use these flows at work?
Use the examples to learn the method. Before adapting a flow to work, check its permissions, data, licensing, error cases and approval rules with the people responsible for the process. A completed lesson is not approval to switch on a live automation.
Does the AI make the final approval decision?
The AI-assisted build includes a human approval step. You learn how to handle the AI output inside that process rather than assuming its answer should be accepted automatically.
What else is included with my pass?
The complete Power Automate Builders Space is open for the 90-day Learning Pass, including new material added during that period. Afterwards, your Board and saved progress remain; protected lessons need continuing Space access.
Why follow a path rather than find a tutorial for my flow?
A targeted tutorial can help with a specific action. This path builds the understanding around it: connections, saved data, branching and approval decisions. You test complete examples before adapting them, and use the wider Space when you need more help with testing or maintenance.
Your next useful step
Start your next useful project.
Follow the project, build your skills and put what you learn to work.
Checking your best way to start…
The one-off option includes a 90-day Learning Pass for required Spaces. Afterwards, your progress, private notes and saved work remain; protected steps require continuing Space access.