Power Automate

Laura-ann Burgess -

SFTP To Go

SFTP To Go is a fully managed secure, scalable, and reliable cloud file storage service supporting SFTP, FTPS, S3, and HTTPS protocols. It allows sharing and integration with third parties using popular and secure protocols, and automates data management and processing using APIs and webhooks.

  • Secure data transfer and transparent encryption at rest
  • Reliable offsite backup
  • Compatibility and ease of use

Power Automate

Power Automate is Microsoft’s low-code workflow automation platform for creating cloud flows across Microsoft 365, business applications, and external services. By integrating SFTP To Go with Power Automate, you can use Microsoft’s SFTP - SSH connector to monitor folders, read and write files, move data into Microsoft workflows, and trigger actions such as notifications, approvals, SharePoint updates, or Teams messages.

  • Use Power Automate’s SFTP - SSH connector to connect to SFTP To Go
  • Trigger flows when files are added or modified in SFTP folders
  • Read, create, update, copy, rename, delete, and route files across Microsoft workflows

How does it work?

  1. In SFTP To Go, create dedicated credentials for Power Automate to use. Set the required home directory and permissions for the workflow, then copy the hostname, port, username, and authentication details from the Credentials tab.
  2. Choose the authentication method for Power Automate:
    • Use password authentication for a standard SFTP connection.
    • Use SSH key authentication if your workflow requires key-based access.
    • If using a private key, paste the full key content into Power Automate in the required multiline format.
    • If your SFTP To Go user uses IP restrictions, allow the relevant Power Platform connector outbound addresses before testing the connection.
  3. In Power Automate, create a new cloud flow. Use an automated cloud flow if the workflow should start when a file is added or modified, or use a scheduled cloud flow if the workflow should check the SFTP folder at a set interval.
  4. Add the SFTP - SSH connector to the flow and create a new connection.
  5. Enter the SFTP To Go connection details:
    • Set Host server address to the SFTP To Go host.
    • Set Port number to 22.
    • Enter the SFTP To Go username.
    • Enter the password or SSH private key details.
    • Set the root folder path if the flow should start from a specific SFTP To Go folder.
  6. Save the connection and test it by listing the root folder or selecting the target folder in the SFTP - SSH connector.
  7. For inbound file workflows, add the When files are added or modified (properties only) trigger. Select the folder that Power Automate should monitor in SFTP To Go.
  8. If the workflow needs to process file contents, add the Get file content or Get file content using path action after the trigger. This keeps the trigger focused on file metadata and lets Power Automate retrieve the file content as a separate step.
  9. Add the required workflow actions after the SFTP step. Depending on the use case, this may include creating a SharePoint file, sending a Microsoft Teams message, starting an approval, updating a list, sending an email, creating a task, or passing the file content to another connected system.
  10. For outbound file workflows, use the Create file action in the SFTP - SSH connector to write files from Power Automate to SFTP To Go. Set the folder path, file name, and file content from the previous step in the flow.
  11. Use additional SFTP - SSH actions where needed, such as Copy file, Delete file, List files in folder, Rename File, or Update file, depending on how the flow should handle files after transfer.
  12. Use separate SFTP To Go folders for incoming files, processed files, archives, and outbound files. This helps avoid repeated processing and keeps the Power Automate flow easier to monitor.
  13. If the flow monitors files added by an external SFTP client, avoid preserving old file timestamps during upload. Power Automate’s SFTP trigger relies on the file’s last modified time to detect changes.
  14. Test the integration by uploading a file to the monitored SFTP To Go folder through the File Browser or an SFTP client. Confirm that Power Automate detects the file, retrieves the expected metadata or content, and completes the configured workflow actions.
  15. Monitor the flow run history in Power Automate and review transfer activity in SFTP To Go to confirm successful logins, uploads, downloads, file changes, and access events.

You can find further insight here and here.