Microsoft is removing the ability to export Power Automate cloud flows directly from the Visio desktop application.
The change takes effect on July 14, 2026, although users on the Microsoft 365 Current Channel may see it from June 30, 2026.
What Is Being Removed?
The affected Visio functionality allowed users to:
- Create a BPMN process diagram.
- Map Visio shapes to Power Automate triggers and actions.
- Validate the process.
- Export the diagram as a Power Automate cloud flow.
After the update, Microsoft will remove the related Export, Export pane, and Show Flow Markup options from Visio.
What Happens to Existing Flows?
Existing Power Automate flows previously exported from Visio will continue to run.
Existing Visio BPMN diagrams will also remain available and can still be used for process modelling and documentation.
There is no requirement to recreate or migrate existing flows solely because of this change.
What Should You Use Instead?
Microsoft recommends creating new cloud flows directly in the Power Automate designer.
Teams can still use Visio to document business processes, but the technical implementation should be created separately in Power Automate.
For enterprise implementations, this is also a good opportunity to:
- Build flows inside Power Platform solutions.
- Use connection references and environment variables.
- Apply proper naming, ownership and deployment practices.
- Document the relationship between the BPMN process and the implemented flow.
Who Is Affected?
This change mainly affects:
- Business analysts using BPMN diagrams as an automation starting point.
- Power Platform consultants using Visio during solution workshops.
- Organizations with training or documentation based on Visio flow export.
Teams already building flows directly in Power Automate are unlikely to experience any significant impact.
Recommended Actions
Before July 2026:
- Check whether your organization still uses Visio-to-Power Automate export.
- Update internal documentation and training materials.
- Preserve important BPMN diagrams in SharePoint or another approved repository.
- Create all new flows directly in Power Automate.
- Do not retain outdated Microsoft 365 builds simply to keep using the feature.
Conclusion
This is a limited but important change for teams that use Visio as part of their automation design process.
Visio will remain useful for process modelling, and existing exported flows will continue working. However, from July 2026, new cloud flows must be created directly in Power Automate.
For the latest status and official timeline, see Microsoft’s Power Platform deprecation announcement.