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Why Power Automate Desktop Does Not Show Templates
Question details
The user is unable to locate the template library within the Power Automate Desktop application.
- Product
- Power Automate Desktop
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Attempting to browse and apply pre-built automation templates from within the desktop application interface.
- Observed behavior
- The left-hand panel of the application only displays 'Home', 'Flows', and 'Examples', completely missing the 'Templates' option.
Verify the type of Microsoft account you are currently logged into (Personal, Work, or School) and ensure you have an active internet connection, as available features heavily depend on your account licensing.
Access Templates via the Power Automate Web Interface
The desktop application restricts template visibility depending on account types and versions. Using the web interface guarantees access to the full cloud template library.
Power Automate Desktop is primarily designed for local machine automations (Desktop Flows) and therefore highlights 'Examples' instead of standard cloud templates. The complete template experience is hosted online.
Open Power Automate Desktop and click your profile picture in the top-right corner to see whether you are using a personal, work, or school account.
Open your web browser, navigate to make.powerautomate.com, and sign in using the exact same Microsoft account credentials.
Once logged in, look at the left-hand navigation pane and click on 'Templates'. From here, you can search for and trigger all available automation templates.
Seek Specialized Help from the Power Platform Community
If you are encountering unexpected bugs or need highly specialized desktop flow templates, the official community forums are the best place to get targeted assistance.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Why do I only see 'Examples' instead of 'Templates' in the desktop app?
The desktop version of Power Automate is optimized for local desktop flows, so it provides 'Examples' of local automations. The full 'Templates' library is built for cloud flows and is accessed via the online web portal.
Does a free personal Microsoft account have access to all templates?
No. Free personal accounts have limited access and cannot use templates that rely on premium connectors or specific enterprise applications. You need a business or premium account to unlock the full library.
How can I update Power Automate Desktop to ensure I have the latest features?
You can update the application by downloading the latest installer directly from the official Microsoft Power Automate website. If you installed it via the Microsoft Store, you can check for and apply updates directly within the Store app.
