Tutorial · Power Automate fundamentals · Intermediate

Approvals in Teams: Power Automate Approvals vs adaptive cards

When to use the Approvals connector, when to use custom adaptive cards, and how to build multi-level approvals.

LevelIntermediate
Time30 minutes
TopicPower Automate fundamentals

You'll need

  • Power Automate
  • Microsoft Teams

Approvals connector

Start and wait for an approval gives you a ready-made approval experience in Teams, Outlook and the Approvals app, with history. Types: first to respond, everyone must approve, custom responses, sequential approvals.

Adaptive cards

Post adaptive card and wait for a response lets you design the card (inputs, dropdowns, buttons). Use it when approvers need to enter data (e.g. budget code) or when you want a branded experience.

Multi-level approvals

  1. Store levels in a list (approval matrix).
  2. Loop with concurrency 1 and stop on first rejection.
  3. Record approver, outcome, comments and timestamp per level.

Timeouts

Set a timeout on the approval action (e.g. P3D for 3 days) and escalate on timeout using run-after.

ISO 8601 timeout
P3D

Tips

  • Approvals for external people (suppliers) don't work in Teams — use Acrobat Sign approver roles or email-based approvals.