In Power Automate, what is a trigger?

In Power Automate, a trigger serves as the initiating event that starts a flow, which is a set of actions designed to automate a process. Triggers are essential because they define when a flow should be executed based on specific criteria or events. For instance, a trigger can be set to start a flow when a new file is created in a SharePoint folder or when an email is received in Outlook. This means that without a trigger, a flow would not know when to begin its execution, making it a fundamental component of automation in Power Automate.

The other options do not accurately describe the function of a trigger. A collection of flows refers to a grouping or organization of multiple automations, which is distinctly different from a single point of initiation. A type of data input might refer to how data is fed into a flow but does not relate to the concept of starting the flow itself. A notification system might notify users of certain events but doesn't initiate actions within Power Automate like a trigger does. Thus, defining a trigger as an action that starts a flow provides a clear understanding of its critical role in process automation.