How do you call one Power Automate flow from another?
Build both flows in the same solution. Give the child flow a Manually trigger a flow trigger, then add the Run a Child Flow action to the parent flow.
What is a child flow in Power Automate?
A child flow is a flow that another flow calls. The flow that makes the call is the parent flow. The child holds a small task you reuse, such as creating a contact or formatting a reference number.
Child flows keep a long flow short. You fix the task in one place, and every parent flow that calls it gets the fix.
How do you build the child flow?
- Open Solutions in Power Automate and select a solution.
- Select New, then Automation, then Cloud flow, then Instant.
- Choose the Manually trigger a flow trigger.
- Select Add an input for each value the parent sends, such as a name or an email address.
- Add the steps the child flow runs.
- End with Respond to a Power App or flow to send values back to the parent.
Why does the child flow need embedded connections?
A parent flow cannot pass its connections to a child flow. If the child uses anything other than built-in actions or Dataverse, the call fails with an error that child workflows only support embedded connections.
Open the child flow's details page and select Edit in the Run only users tile. For each connection, choose Use this connection instead of Provided by run-only user. Then select Save.
If run-only settings are missing, see our guide on run-only users missing.
How do you call the child flow from the parent?
Build the parent flow in the same solution. It can use any trigger. Add the Run a Child Flow action from the Flows connector on the Built-in tab, then pick your child flow.
The action shows the inputs you defined. After it runs, the outputs from the Respond action appear as dynamic content for later steps.
How long does the parent wait for the child?
The parent waits for the child to finish. The wait can last for the lifetime of the flow: one year for flows that use built-in connections and Dataverse, or 30 days for all other flows.
If a run stops early, see our guide on a flow run that timed out.
What goes wrong when you import a flow into a solution?
Microsoft lists a known issue. Create the parent and all child flows directly in the same solution. If you import an existing flow into a solution, you can get unexpected results.
When you export a solution with both flows and import it into another environment, the parent and child flows link on their own. You do not update any URLs.
Does a child flow need a premium license?
The Respond to a Power App or flow action sits under the Power Apps connector. The Response action sits on the HTTP request and response connector, which is premium. Check which action your child flow uses, and read our guide on the HTTP premium connector license before you plan licenses.
Microsoft also notes that a child flow does not inherit Process license capacity from its parent. Add both flows to the same flow group to share it. Each flow counts toward the 25-flow limit. For a small team, see which Power Automate license to buy.
FAQ
Can a child flow have a scheduled trigger?
No. Microsoft states that child flows must use the Manually trigger a flow trigger.
Can I run more than one child flow in a parent?
Yes. A parent flow can call several child flows.
Do I need a solution?
Yes. Run a Child Flow lists only flows that sit in a solution.