Pieter Veenstra
pieterveenstramvp.bsky.social
Pieter Veenstra
@pieterveenstramvp.bsky.social
Author of SharePains.com and 8x Microsoft MVP specialising in Power Automate, Power Apps and SharePoint

Trying Bluesky as the so-many-th Twitter replacement.
Set the custom publisher on your Vibe coded Power Apps

Have you tried out the new Vibe coding at vibe.powerapps.com? Did you notice that your solutions will use the default publisher?
Set the custom publisher on your Vibe coded Power Apps
Have you tried out the new Vibe coding at vibe.powerapps.com? Did you notice that your solutions will use the default publisher?
sharepains.com
November 21, 2025 at 4:17 PM
The Scalability of Office Scripting in Microsoft Excel

Today's post is all about the scalability of Office Scripting in Microsoft Excel using the Run Script action in Power Automate. Do you know the limitations for solutions based on Office Scripting?
The Scalability of Office Scripting in Microsoft Excel
Today's post is all about the scalability of Office Scripting in Microsoft Excel using the Run Script action in Power Automate. Do you know the limitations for solutions based on Office Scripting?
sharepains.com
November 13, 2025 at 12:27 PM
We've all seen those error messages that don't make any sense. Have you ever wanted to replace an error messages with your own custom error messages?
Create custom error messages in Power Apps
We've all seen those error messages that don't make any sense. Have you ever wanted to replace an error messages with your own custom error messages?
sharepains.com
November 5, 2025 at 6:07 PM
If you have been following my posts on SharePains.com, then you will know about the UTCNow function generating the current UTC time. But did you know that there is a hidden parameter that comes with this function?

sharepains.com/2025/11/04/u...
UTCNow and that little hidden feature in Power Automate
If you have been following my posts on SharePains.com, then you will know about the UTCNow function generating the current UTC time. But did you know that there is a hidden parameter that comes with t...
sharepains.com
November 4, 2025 at 5:55 PM
If you have been following my posts on SharePains.com, then you will know about the UTCNow function generating the current UTC time. But did you know that there is a hidden parameter that comes with this function?
UTCNow and that little hidden feature in Power Automate
If you have been following my posts on SharePains.com, then you will know about the UTCNow function generating the current UTC time. But did you know that there is a hidden parameter that comes with this function?
sharepains.com
November 4, 2025 at 3:32 PM
What can be easier than the OnChange event in Power Apps? When a user selects or types a new value for a control we can configure our app to do something. But what if that OnChange event triggers at the wrong time?
OnChange events in Power Apps
What can be easier than the OnChange event in Power Apps? When a user selects or types a new value for a control we can configure our app to do something. But what if that OnChange event triggers at the wrong time?
sharepains.com
March 17, 2025 at 1:13 PM
In Power Apps there is sometimes a need to select a property dynamically. You get the name of the property from ,for example, a dropdown, and now you want to retrieve the value of that property in a record.
How to dynamically select properties in Power Apps
In Power Apps there is sometimes a need to select a property dynamically. You get the name of the property from ,for example, a dropdown, and now you want to retrieve the value of that property in a record.
sharepains.com
March 4, 2025 at 3:12 PM
In the my previous posts about Copilot Studio, I've already had a look at Variables and how to work with variables. However it will be useful to take this a bit further. In this post I'm looking at all the things you can do with variables in Copilot Studio.
Variables in Copilot Studio
In the my previous posts about Copilot Studio, I've already had a look at Variables and how to work with variables. However it will be useful to take this a bit further. In this post I'm looking at all the things you can do with variables in Copilot Studio.
sharepains.com
February 20, 2025 at 1:07 PM
Actions in Copilot Studio

After yesterday's post about Activities in Copilot Studio, today I'm looking at Actions in Copilot Studio. The terminology here is confusing for Power Automate users.
Actions in Copilot Studio
After yesterday's post about Activities in Copilot Studio, today I'm looking at Actions in Copilot Studio. The terminology here is confusing for Power Automate users.
sharepains.com
February 20, 2025 at 11:26 AM
After looking at Triggers in Copilot Studio a few weeks ago, I'm taking the next step in this post. Activities in Copilot Studio.
How to use Activities in Copilot Studio
After looking at Triggers in Copilot Studio a few weeks ago, I'm taking the next step in this post. Activities in Copilot Studio.
sharepains.com
February 18, 2025 at 4:00 PM
Last week I someone ask me about calculating the largest divisor for a number within Power Apps. This had to be fast! With the right approach, this is easy to do.
Get the Largest Divisor in Power Apps
Last week I someone ask me about calculating the largest divisor for a number within Power Apps. This had to be fast! With the right approach, this is easy to do.
sharepains.com
February 14, 2025 at 11:08 AM
Within SharePoint there is the option to allow management of content types. But how do you manage this setting within Power Automate?
Allow management of Content Types on SharePoint Lists using Power Automate
Within SharePoint there is the option to allow management of content types. But how do you manage this setting within Power Automate?
sharepains.com
February 12, 2025 at 2:49 PM
This is a quick tip blog post about Power Automate conditions in Power Automate. With the new(?) development UI, it is important to think positive.
1 Quick Tip – Think positive conditions in Power Automate
This is a quick tip blog post about Power Automate conditions in Power Automate. With the new(?) development UI, it is important to think positive.
sharepains.com
February 11, 2025 at 5:20 PM
Today Microsoft released custom Power Fx functions to support reusable code within Power Automate. In this post how to create and use these custom functions.
Microsoft Releases Custom Power Fx Functions Feature for Power Automate
Today Microsoft released custom Power Fx functions to support reusable code within Power Automate. In this post how to create and use these custom functions.
sharepains.com
February 10, 2025 at 11:11 AM
In my last few posts, I've looked at creating an Copilot agent. Now the next step is to put the agent somewhere useful. In this post I'll create a basic agent and add it to Microsoft Teams.
Create your Copilot agent and add it to Microsoft Teams
In my last few posts, I've looked at creating an Copilot agent. Now the next step is to put the agent somewhere useful. In this post I'll create a basic agent and add it to Microsoft Teams.
sharepains.com
February 7, 2025 at 1:51 PM
Trigger your Topics in Copilot Studio

After yesterday's general introduction into developing agents in Copilot Studio. Today I will have a look at the first step of topics, triggers.
Trigger your Topics in Copilot Studio
After yesterday's general introduction into developing agents in Copilot Studio. Today I will have a look at the first step of topics, triggers.
sharepains.com
February 6, 2025 at 2:44 PM
To get started with Copilot Studio is easy visit https://copilotstudio.microsoft.com/ and we are ready to get started with the creation of our first Agent.
Get started with Copilot Studio
To get started with Copilot Studio is easy visit and we are ready to get started with the creation of our first Agent.
sharepains.com
February 5, 2025 at 12:12 PM
Often people create flows to call Microsoft Graph end points or Approval from within Power Apps rather than "Power Automate connector actions" from within Power Apps.
Use Power Automate Connector Actions directly from Power Apps
Often people create flows to call Microsoft Graph end points or Approval from within Power Apps rather than "Power Automate connector actions" from within Power Apps.
sharepains.com
January 30, 2025 at 12:05 PM
Stop contacting Microsoft support for simple questions with Microsoft 365 Self-Help connector! (Maybe )

Microsoft has released a new connector in Preview. The Microsoft 365 Self-Help connector can now be used in a Power Automate flow.
Stop contacting Microsoft support for simple questions with Microsoft 365 Self-Help connector! (Maybe )
Microsoft has released a new connector in Preview. The Microsoft 365 Self-Help connector can now be used in a Power Automate flow.
sharepains.com
January 29, 2025 at 12:37 PM
Restore deleted flows in Power Automate

Now, it might happen to all of us. We delete a flow in Power Automate and then there is this oops moment. How do I restore deleted flows?
Restore deleted flows in Power Automate
Now, it might happen to all of us. We delete a flow in Power Automate and then there is this oops moment. How do I restore deleted flows?
sharepains.com
January 28, 2025 at 4:37 PM
I'm very often asked, where should I store my data? Most of the time data strategies include one or more of the following:

- SharePoint
- Dataverse
- SQL
- Excel

In this post 6 data strategies that you could consider before you design your next app.
6 Essential Data Strategies for Success in the Power Platform
I'm very often asked, where should I store my data? Most of the time data strategies include one or more of the following: - SharePoint - Dataverse - SQL - Excel In this post 6 data strategies that you could consider before you design your next app.
sharepains.com
January 21, 2025 at 12:15 PM
Power Apps studio includes test tools, however these are not available when you use co-authoring. So how about automated testing your Canvas Apps using Power Automate Desktop?
Using Power Automate Desktop to do automated testing Power Apps
Power Apps studio includes test tools, however these are not available when you use co-authoring. So how about automated testing your Canvas Apps using Power Automate Desktop?
sharepains.com
January 14, 2025 at 5:26 PM
One of my favourite actions in Power Automate is the HTTP action. However it is premium, while for a lot of the Graph API endpoints there are standard actions available.
HTTP vs Send an HTTP Request in Power Automate
HTTP vs Send an HTTP Request in Power Automate One of my favourite actions in Power Automate is the HTTP action. However it is premium, while for a lot of the Graph API endpoints there are standard actions available.
sharepains.com
January 9, 2025 at 5:25 PM
SQL Functions for Encrypting and Decrypting Large text fields

After my post about Encrypting Rich Text fields in Power Apps that store their data in SQL server now the promised decryption code in this post as well.
SQL Functions for Encrypting and Decrypting Large text fields
After my post about Encrypting Rich Text fields in Power Apps that store their data in SQL server now the promised decryption code in this post as well.
sharepains.com
December 13, 2024 at 3:14 PM
Recently I have done a lot of work with SQL Stored Procedures in Power Apps. But what do you do if you want to have some fields encrypted in your SQL database. In this post how to Encrypt and decrypt using stored procedures.
Encrypt a large rich text field in SQL Stored Procedures
Recently I have done a lot of work with SQL Stored Procedures in Power Apps. But what do you do if you want to have some fields encrypted in your SQL database. In this post how to Encrypt and decrypt using stored procedures.
sharepains.com
December 11, 2024 at 9:49 AM