Others

How to Restrict Power Automate Flow Creation in SharePoint

Maira Mehtab Sep 22, 2026 868 views

Question details

The user wants to configure SharePoint so that only site owners can create Power Automate flows for a specific site or list, without revoking general site access for other users.

Product: SharePoint and Power Automate
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Managing site permissions and automating governance restrictions
Observed behavior: Users with edit permissions can currently create flows. The goal is to restrict flow creation exclusively to site owners while allowing other users to retain appropriate access.

Before you start

Ensure you have Site Owner or SharePoint Administrator privileges before attempting to modify site permissions or access the Power Platform Admin Center.

Solution 1Recommended

Restrict Flow Creation by Adjusting SharePoint Permissions

Change standard user permissions from 'Edit' to 'View' to prevent them from creating Power Automate flows natively within SharePoint.

In SharePoint, users generally need an appropriate Power Automate license and 'Edit' permissions to create and manage flows. By downgrading a user's permission level to 'View' or 'Read', you can effectively block their ability to create flows.

Open Site Permissions

Navigate to your SharePoint site, click the gear icon (Settings) in the top right corner, and select 'Site permissions'.

Access Advanced Settings

Click on 'Advanced permissions settings' at the bottom of the pane to open the full permissions management page.

Modify User Permissions

Select the checkboxes next to the users or groups you wish to restrict, click 'Edit User Permissions' in the ribbon, and change their assignment from 'Edit' to 'Read'.

Permission Limitations: While this prevents flow creation, it also stops users from editing SharePoint lists, document libraries, and site content. If users must retain edit access, this method will not be suitable.

Solution 2

Explore Advanced Power Platform Governance

Use Power Platform Admin Center configurations to restrict flow creation without removing SharePoint edit permissions.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Boost Your Team's Productivity with WPS Office

While managing SharePoint permissions and Power Automate flows requires Microsoft 365 administrative tools, you can streamline your daily document workflows with WPS Office. It provides a lightweight, highly compatible alternative for viewing, editing, and collaborating on documents shared across your organization.

Fully compatible with Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint formatsLightweight and fast, ensuring quick document loading on any deviceFree to use with a familiar, intuitive interfaceBuilt-in PDF editing and easy team collaboration features

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I block flow creation without removing edit permissions in SharePoint?

Natively within SharePoint, users with Edit permissions have the inherent ability to create flows. To block flow creation while retaining their edit rights, you must implement Data Loss Prevention (DLP) policies via the Power Platform Admin Center or use advanced PowerShell governance scripts.

Do users need a specific license to create Power Automate flows in SharePoint?

Yes, in addition to having Edit permissions on the SharePoint site, users generally need a valid Power Automate license (which is often included in standard Microsoft 365 business plans) to create and trigger flows.

Where can I find custom governance scripts for Power Automate?

You can find more granular governance solutions, including custom PowerShell scripts and advanced DLP configurations, by consulting the official Microsoft Power Automate Community forums and Microsoft Learn documentation.

Office Quick Solutions