Merge pull request #8158 from MicrosoftDocs/iomavrid-access-database-and-encrypted-text-articles

AB#3755: Iomavrid access database and encrypted text articles

Author: lucciz01

support/power-platform/power-automate/desktop-flows/cannot-connect-access-database-engine-ole-db.md

@@ -1,8 +1,8 @@
 ---
 title: Cannot establish connection to Access Database Engine OLE DB
 description: Provides a resolution for the issue that you can't establish a connection with database actions to Access Database Engine OLE DB in Power Automate for desktop.
-ms.reviewer: adija, pefelesk
-ms.date: 03/19/2024
+ms.reviewer: adija, pefelesk, iomavrid
+ms.date: 02/18/2025
 ms.custom: sap:Desktop flows\Power Automate for desktop errors
 ---
 # Can't establish a connection to Access Database Engine OLE DB
@@ -26,7 +26,7 @@ Consider the following scenario in Microsoft Power Automate for desktop:
 
 This error message occurs because the appropriate 64-bit driver isn't installed on your machine. Kindly note that Power Automate for desktop is based on 64-bit architecture and thus is only compatible to 64-bit database drivers.
 
-## Resolution
+## Workaround
 
 Verify that you have 64-bit Access Database driver installed on your machine by going to ODBC Data Source Administrator (64-bit) application on windows and then the **Drivers** tab. If you don't see "Microsoft Access Driver" in the list, you need to download and install the 64-bit version from [Microsoft Access Database Engine 2016 Redistributable](https://www.microsoft.com/download/details.aspx?id=54920).
 

support/power-platform/power-automate/desktop-flows/error-expression-could-not-be-evaluated.md

@@ -0,0 +1,53 @@
+---
+title: Expression Couldn't be Evaluated Error When Using Encrypted Text
+description: Provides a resolution for the Expression couldn't be evaluated error when using direct encrypted text in Power Automate for desktop.
+ms.reviewer: iomavrid
+author: yiannismavridis
+ms.author: iomavrid
+ms.date: 02/18/2025
+ms.custom: sap:Desktop flows\Power Automate for desktop errors
+---
+# "Expression couldn't be evaluated" error when using encrypted text
+
+This article helps you resolve the "Expression couldn't be evaluated" error that occurs when you run a desktop flow with an action that uses direct input.
+
+_Applies to:_   Power Automate  
+
+## Symptoms
+
+A desktop flow with an action that uses direct input generates the following error when it's run on a machine different than the one where the flow was created:
+
+> Failed with error: Expression couldn't be evaluated
+
+For example,
+
+- The **Direct password input** option:
+
+  :::image type="content" source="media/error-expression-could-not-be-evaluated/direct-password-input.png" alt-text="Screenshot that shows the Direct password input option in a desktop flow action.":::
+
+- The **Direct encrypted text input** option:
+
+  :::image type="content" source="media/error-expression-could-not-be-evaluated/direct-encrypted-text-input.png" alt-text="Screenshot that shows the Direct encrypted text input option in a desktop flow action.":::
+
+## Cause
+
+The error occurs because direct inputs are encrypted using the local machine's [Data Protection API (DPAPI)](/dotnet/standard/security/how-to-use-data-protection) and can't be decrypted when the flow is run on another machine.
+
+This limitation is highlighted when you hover over the info icon if any of the direct input options is selected.
+
+:::image type="content" source="media/error-expression-could-not-be-evaluated/encrypted-tooltip.png" alt-text="Screenshot that shows the tooltip that provides additional information about the limitations of using direct encrypted text or password input.":::
+
+## Resolution
+
+To run the flow on a different machine, modify the flow to use [sensitive variables](/power-automate/desktop-flows/manage-variables#sensitive-variables/power-automate/desktop-flows/manage-variables#sensitive-variables).
+
+1. Open the desktop flow in Power Automate for desktop.
+1. Locate the action that uses direct password input or direct encrypted text input.
+1. Replace the direct input with a sensitive variable:
+   1. Select the **Password input as variable** or **Input as text, variable or expression** option to use a variable as a password input or text input.
+   1. Choose a variable that's marked as sensitive.
+1. Save the modified flow and test it on a different machine to ensure that the error is resolved.
+
+## More information
+
+[Use passwords in certain actions within desktop workflows](/power-automate/desktop-flows/how-to/use-passwords)

support/power-platform/power-automate/desktop-flows/media/error-expression-could-not-be-evaluated/direct-encrypted-text-input.png

@@ -110,6 +110,8 @@
       href: desktop-flows/environment-load-fails-insufficient-permissions-after-2-46.md
     - name: Error communicating with the emulator using Micro Focus Reflection Desktop
       href: desktop-flows/error-communicating-with-the-emulator.md
+    - name: Expression couldn't be evaluated error when using direct encrypted text
+      href: desktop-flows/error-expression-could-not-be-evaluated.md
     - name: Errors when running desktop flows including Excel actions
       href: desktop-flows/troubleshoot-excel-errors.md
     - name: Errors when running attended or unattended desktop flows