# Use a custom connector

Import the PDF Blocks connector from GitHub as a custom connector to use the newest actions and parameters before they reach the published connector.

The published **PDF Blocks** connector in Power Automate is certified by Microsoft,
so new actions and parameters reach it on Microsoft's review cadence rather than
ours. When you need a capability that is already in the connector definition but
has not rolled out to the published connector yet — the split and reorder actions,
[page selection](/docs/power-automate/extract-pages-from-pdf), or the encryption
options — you can install the latest definition yourself as a **custom connector**
by importing it from GitHub.

The connector definition is open source and lives in Microsoft's
[PowerPlatformConnectors](https://github.com/microsoft/PowerPlatformConnectors)
repository. Power Automate can build a custom connector straight from it, so you
never copy files by hand.

<Note>
  A custom connector lives in a single Power Platform environment and is not
  certified. It works exactly like the published connector — same actions, same
  API key — but you maintain it: re-import to pick up later updates. When the
  published connector catches up, you can switch your flows back to it.
</Note>

## Before you start

- A paid Power Automate plan (per-user or per-flow), the same requirement as the
  published connector.
- Permission to create custom connectors in your environment. If you don't see
  **Custom connectors**, ask your Power Platform administrator.
- Your PDF Blocks API key, ready for when you create the connection. See
  [Getting started](/docs/power-automate/getting-started) if you don't have one.

## Import the connector

<Steps>

<Step title="Open Custom connectors">
  In [Power Automate](https://make.powerautomate.com), expand the left menu, choose
  **More**, and open **Custom connectors**. (You can also reach the same page from
  the Power Apps maker portal under **Discover all → Custom connectors**.)
</Step>

<Step title="Start a new connector from GitHub">
  Select **+ New custom connector**, then choose **Import from GitHub**.

  <Frame caption="New custom connector → Import from GitHub.">
    <img
      src="/images/power-automate/use-a-custom-connector/01-new-custom-connector-menu.png"
      alt="The New custom connector menu showing the Import from GitHub option"
    />
  </Frame>
</Step>

<Step title="Select the PDF Blocks connector">
  In the **Import from Github** dialog:

  - Set **Connector Type** to **Certified** — this reads from the certified
    connectors folder of the open-source repository, where PDF Blocks lives.
  - Choose a **Branch**. Pick the branch that carries the update you need (for
    example `dev` for the latest, or a release branch for a pinned version).
  - Set **Connector** to **PDF Blocks**.

  Select **Continue**.

  <Frame caption="Choose Certified, pick a branch, and select the PDF Blocks connector.">
    <img
      src="/images/power-automate/use-a-custom-connector/02-import-from-github-dialog.png"
      alt="The Import from Github dialog with Certified selected, branch dev, and the PDF Blocks connector"
    />
  </Frame>

  <Tip>
    Use the **Click here to explore the open source repository** link in the
    dialog to browse the exact definition before importing.
  </Tip>
</Step>

<Step title="Create the connector">
  Power Automate loads the connector's definition into the editor. You don't need
  to change anything — step through the **General**, **Security**, and
  **Definition** tabs to review it if you like, then select **Create connector**
  in the top right. Give it a recognizable name (for example *PDF Blocks Next*) so
  you can tell it apart from the published connector.
</Step>

<Step title="Create a connection">
  The first time you add an action from your custom connector to a flow, Power
  Automate asks for the same connection parameters as the published connector: a
  **Connection Name**, your **API Key**, and an optional **Server Hostname**. See
  [Getting started](/docs/power-automate/getting-started#step-2-create-a-connection)
  for what each one means.
</Step>

<Step title="Use the new actions">
  In a flow, add an action and search for the name you gave your custom connector.
  Its actions — including the ones not yet in the published connector, such as
  [Split a PDF by page count](/docs/power-automate/split-pdf-by-page-count) and
  [Reorder the pages of a PDF](/docs/power-automate/reorder-pages-of-pdf) — appear
  alongside everything else, ready to configure.
</Step>

</Steps>

## Keeping it up to date

A custom connector is a snapshot of the definition at import time. When we ship
more updates, repeat **Import from GitHub** on the same connector (or re-import and
recreate) to refresh it. Because the custom connector and the published connector
are independent, you can keep both installed and move each flow over when you're
ready.

## Related

<CardGroup cols={2}>

<Card title="Getting started" href="/docs/power-automate/getting-started">
  Set up your first PDF Blocks connection and API key.
</Card>

<Card title="Merge PDF documents" href="/docs/power-automate/merge-pdf-documents">
  Start with a core action once your connector is installed.
</Card>

</CardGroup>