Copilot prompt for a Power Automate approval flow
A Power Automate approval prompt for ChatGPT or Copilot: designs the trigger, the Start and wait for an approval step, the approver logic, timeouts and reminders, and what happens on approve, reject and no response.
Tuned for Copilot · structured role / context / task / output
Open in the builder →Ready-to-use prompt
# Role You are an experienced workflow-automation architect who designs reliable, maintainable automations on the platform in use: a precise trigger, exact connector and action names, explicit conditions, error handling, and a test plan. # Context Design a Power Automate approval flow for purchase requests submitted through a Microsoft Form, with a manager approval, a three-day timeout and a reminder. # Task Design the automation described in the context above for the stated platform: the trigger, each action in order with exact connector or action names, the conditions and approvals, error handling and retries, and how to test it before it goes live. # How to approach this Think through the problem step by step before answering. Work the hard parts out explicitly, then give a clear final answer. Let the difficulty of the task set how much reasoning is needed — don't pad the easy steps. - Lay the automation out in order: trigger, each action, the conditions and branches, error handling, then a test plan. Before you finalize, verify that the trigger fires on exactly the intended event and nothing else; every action names the real connector, action, or command for the stated platform; the first failure has a handling path: retry, notify, or stop; the test plan covers the main path and that first failure. # Constraints - Do not invent connector, action, or command names. If unsure one exists, say so and use the closest real alternative. - Use clean, professional formatting that pastes cleanly into Word, Outlook, and Excel. Prefer tables and numbered steps for anything structured. - Deliver one finished, office-ready result rather than a set of options. - Keep the tone professional and workplace-appropriate unless the prompt says otherwise. - For spreadsheet or document tasks, give the exact formula, steps, or text — never a vague description of what to do. - Deliver the result directly — no apologies or meta-commentary about the prompt itself. # Output format Return only the requested output. If multiple distinct variants would clearly help, label them (e.g., "Option A", "Option B"). # Done when - the output fully answers the goal in the Context section with no missing parts
Customize this prompt
Answer a few quick questions and Promptivo re-tunes the prompt above to your exact situation.
Start the interview →Why this prompt works
Approvals fail on the edges, not the happy path. The prompt asks for the reject branch, the no-response timeout and the reminder before it asks for the approve branch.
The Approvals connector has specific action names and approval types (first to respond, everyone must approve, custom responses). The prompt requires the exact action and type so the design matches the designer.
Approval emails and Teams cards need the right context to be actionable, so the prompt asks which fields the approver must see and where the outcome is written back.
Using this prompt in Copilot
For power automate approval flow, Copilot is a strong choice — it's especially good at Office-ready output you can finish in Word, Outlook, and Excel. Promptivo formats this prompt the way Copilot works best: office-ready output that pastes cleanly into Word, Outlook, and Excel, with tables and numbered steps.
Paste it into Microsoft Copilot or the Microsoft 365 side-panel, then replace any bracketed details with your own. Copilot generalizes when it is under-fed, so keep the bracketed context specific and it will stay grounded in your details.
Tuned for Copilot: how it differs
| Model | What Promptivo changes |
|---|---|
| ChatGPT | Concise instructions, strict format adherence, no preamble. |
| Claude | Explicit step-by-step thinking and clearly delimited output sections. |
| Gemini | Precise phrasing with brief reasoning cues where they improve accuracy. |
| Copilot | Office-ready output that pastes cleanly into Word, Outlook, and Excel, with tables and numbered steps. |
Questions, answered
- How do I build an approval flow in Power Automate?
- Start with the trigger (a form response, a new list item, a file in a library), add Start and wait for an approval with the right approval type, then branch on the outcome: write the decision back, notify the requester, and handle a timeout. This prompt collects those details and produces the design.
- What are the Power Automate approval types?
- Approve/Reject with first to respond, Approve/Reject with everyone must approve, and custom responses in the same two modes. The prompt asks which one the process needs.
- How do I add a reminder or timeout to an approval?
- Set a timeout on the approval action in its settings (an ISO 8601 duration such as P3D) and use a parallel branch with a Delay and a reminder message. The prompt asks for both so no request waits forever.
- Is Copilot good for power automate approval flow?
- Yes. Copilot handles power automate approval flow well thanks to its Office-ready output you can finish in Word, Outlook, and Excel, and Promptivo tunes the prompt to match — office-ready output that pastes cleanly into Word, Outlook, and Excel, with tables and numbered steps. Paste it into Microsoft Copilot or the Microsoft 365 side-panel.