Drafts and versioning for cloud flows
When you're authoring a solution cloud flow, you can save drafts in Microsoft Dataverse before the flow is complete. Then, the flow can be published when you're ready to run the flow. As you're evolving the flow, a version history is built up in Dataverse and can be accessed on the version history panel.
Availability
The flow drafts and versioning feature set is available only for solution cloud flows. Solution cloud flows can be created directly in a solution, added into a solution, or created by default if the Create in Dataverse solutions environment setting is enabled.
The flow drafts and versioning feature set is being released slowly across specific environments region-by-region. When drafts and versioning capabilities show up in an environment in your region, allow two weeks for full release in that region.
Save drafts
Save a draft of a flow whenever you want, even with errors. Make changes to your flow with confidence at your own pace.
Open the flow in the designer.
Make changes as needed.
Select Save draft.
A confirmation message appears in the information bar.
The flow state is visible next to the flow title.
State indicator
The state of the flow (Draft or Published) shows beside the flow title to indicate if that version of the flow was published, or if the flow has draft changes.
Publish a flow
When you're ready for changes to a flow to have an effect at runtime, the flow can be published.
Open the flow in the designer.
Make changes as needed.
Select Publish.
A confirmation message appears in the information bar.
Version history
Review a flow's version history list to understand how it evolved. View flow versions grouped by day with indicators for Latest version, Published, and Past published.
Open the flow in the designer.
Select Version history.
The version history panel opens.
Version restore
When you view a flow's version history list, you can select a previous version for review, and optionally restore it as a new draft.
Open the flow in the designer.
Select Version history.
The version history panel opens.
Select a previous version.
Select Restore.
Confirm the restore action.
The flow is now the latest draft in the version history.
FAQ
Why is the drafts and versioning feature set only available for solution cloud flows?
Dataverse is the storage used for drafts that aren't published. It's also the storage used for version history. Solution cloud flows are defined in Dataverse, so they can have drafts and a version history.
Why is the drafts and versioning feature set available only in the new designer?
Drafts and versioning capabilities are available in the new cloud flows designer. Rather than adding drafts and versioning support in the classic designer, we're investing in additional drafts and versioning capabilities for the new cloud flows designer.
How do I change a non-solution cloud flow into a solution cloud flow?
When you add your non-solution cloud flow into a solution, it adds the definition into Dataverse so it can have versions.
Can co-owners see a full version history or only their own changes?
Co-owners can see a full version history of changes from any user who made a change to the flow.
Can notes or titles be added to versions?
Notes and titles can't be added to the version at this time.
Can drafts be tested?
Not at this time. Currently, flow changes need to be published and runnable to be tested. We're exploring the concept of creating a second runtime representation of a single flow to facilitate testing.
Is there a unique identifier for a version?
Timestamps are used to differentiate between versions. There's a GUID identifier used for each version, but that doesn't show in the version history cards. A simple integer identifier isn't available at this time.
Can the version history list be filtered?
Not at this time.
Can a summary of the version changes show in the version history cards?
Not at this time.
Can copilot summarize the changes made to a flow over a certain time period?
Not at this time.
Can versions be compared?
Versions can be compared by viewing them in succession, or by opening up another browser tab to view a specific version. A side-by-side comparison of versions isn't available at this time.
Can connection permissions be associated with a certain version so a new connection authorization is needed when a co-owner changes the flow?
Not at this time.
Which version is exported?
The last published version of a solution cloud flow is exported in a solution. Draft versions and version history aren't exported.
What tables are used for drafts and version history?
Dataverse is the storage used for drafts and version history. Solution cloud flows are defined in Dataverse, so they can have drafts and a version history. The Workflow table has a row for the latest published and a row for the latest draft. The version history is stored in the Component Version table.
Known issues
Changing flow URL: When a solution cloud flow is first published, the URL contains the workflowUniqueId and this changes with each version. If the published flow is subsequently opened from the My Flows experience, then the FlowId is used in the URL and it doesn't change. If the published flow is subsequently opened from the Solution Explorer experience, then the workflowUniqueId is used in the URL and it does change. We're planning to update the Solution Explorer experience to provide a static URL. In the interim, if you need a static URL reference, then open the flow from the My Flows experience.