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# Sequential Approval

While browsing the internet, I recently learned about a new approval feature in Power Automate, **Sequential Approval**.

Previously, managing sequential approval in Power Automate required creating numerous action steps, each representing a level of approval. Modifying the approval process necessitated altering every step.

Let's try the Sequential Approval process to see if we can gather some useful ideas for our project.

## Business Case 

My business case: Quote approval flow.

* The Quote approval level: **3 levels**
* Approval sequence: **Approver 1 -> Approver 2 -> Approver 3**

For the first solution, within the Quote entity, I established three fields: *<mark style="color:blue;">Approver 1, Approver 2</mark>*, and *<mark style="color:blue;">Approver 3</mark>*. Additionally, I created three corresponding fields for each approver: *<mark style="color:blue;">Approval Status, Approval Comment</mark>,* and *<mark style="color:blue;">Approval Date.</mark>*

<figure><img src="/files/e1TNKSGAbMdOdbFZPbkn" alt=""><figcaption><p>Quote entity - Approval Tab</p></figcaption></figure>

## 1. Power Automate: Before the Sequential Approval feature

Before the Sequential Approval feature, I created the power automat for the approval process as below.

<figure><img src="/files/479MbwORmW4BEMmcbed7" alt=""><figcaption><p>Sequential Approval Flow - before new feature.</p></figcaption></figure>

Before this feature, I set up three Approval actions, each corresponding to a different Approver. It takes time and is difficult to control.

## 2. Power Automate: After the Sequential Approval feature

Now, I tried the new early feature **Sequential Approval** in the Approval flow. And the flow is shorter and easy to control.

### *<mark style="color:blue;">2.1 Enable get early feature to get sequential approval feature</mark>*

Currently, this feature is just applied to the Environment which enabled the ***Get new features early*** option. This option is only enabled when creating a new environment.

<figure><img src="/files/2CD6o3qbprOo0msr1faP" alt=""><figcaption><p>Enable "Get new features early" - It's mean "Release Cyle" of environment.</p></figcaption></figure>

Okay... now, back to the Power Automate Maker and try to create a new Sequential Approval Power Automate. In the **Approval action,** you will see the new *Sequential Approval* option as below.

<figure><img src="/files/hncF8cNuDXvMgIOZF5eZ" alt=""><figcaption><p>New "Sequential Approval" option of "Start and wait for an approval" action step.</p></figcaption></figure>

### *<mark style="color:blue;">2.2 My Solution for Sequential Approval Flow</mark>*

#### 2.2.1 Changing on Quote entity:

With the new feature, I have changed the design of the Quote entity:

* I created 2 new fields: ***Approval Status,** and **Approval Summary*** to update the approval status & history of each Approver.
* Not using fields: Approver 1/2/3 status, Approver 1/2/3 comment, Approval 1/2/3/ date.

And my approval flow also changed as below.

<figure><img src="/files/Ch2AA7MnGbH9OjAdiqb1" alt=""><figcaption><p>Changing of Quote entiy</p></figcaption></figure>

#### 2.2.2 Sequential Approval Flow

<figure><img src="/files/Mv6tlQ8Pnw5r32W7MSag" alt=""><figcaption><p>New Sequential Approval flow</p></figcaption></figure>

#### 2.2.3 **Testing**

My Quote record:

<figure><img src="/files/9zOqjGNrbtHZT3isjgC9" alt=""><figcaption><p>My Quote record - 3 approver</p></figcaption></figure>

Testing new sequential flow:

The quote was changed status to **Submitted** and the flow will be triggered to running.

<figure><img src="/files/vs3tCUwxtu5e8eYzz2n7" alt=""><figcaption><p>The Sequential Approval notification on Teams.</p></figcaption></figure>

Now I will log in to Teams and update the Approval Status and we will see the final result below.

<figure><img src="/files/PkKv3R6TmwEwEf63afMk" alt=""><figcaption><p>Final Approval result</p></figcaption></figure>

This feature is so cool. I love that. How about you? Let's try it.. :tada::heart\_eyes:

Thank you & Hoping well!\
\&#xNAN;**\[NTD]yns.asia**