Build a basic Canvas App

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To build a basic canvas app in Power Apps, you can follow these steps:

  1. Start Power Apps Studio or go to powerapps.microsoft.com.
  2. Select ‘Canvas App’ and choose a blank app template.
  3. Choose the ‘Phone’ or ‘Tablet’ layout depending on the target device.
  4. In the right-side panel, add controls like text boxes, dropdowns, buttons, and other components as required.
  5. Connect the app to a data source like SharePoint, Excel, or a custom API.
  6. Set up formula-based logic for controls and buttons using the formula bar.
  7. Test the app by previewing it in the app simulator.
  8. Publish the app to share it with others or integrate it into other solutions.

Types of Data sources

Canvas apps in Microsoft Power Platform can connect to a variety of data sources including:

  • Common data service (CDS) or dataverse
  • SharePoint lists and libraries
  • OneDrive for Business
  • SQL Server databases
  • Excel files
  • Dynamics 365 apps
  • Other cloud services such as Google Drive, Dropbox, and Salesforce.

These data sources can be used to retrieve, create, update, and delete data within the canvas app.

Connecting data using Connectors

Canvas apps in Power Apps can connect to various data sources to fetch data and display it in the app. The types of connectors available in Power Apps include:

  • Common Data Service (CDS) Connector: This connector provides access to data stored in the Common Data Service, which is a cloud-based data platform that enables app building and data management.
  • SharePoint Connector: This connector provides access to SharePoint data and allows you to retrieve data from SharePoint lists, files, and other data types.
  • Excel Connector: This connector allows you to connect to an Excel workbook stored on OneDrive or SharePoint and retrieve data from the workbook.
  • SQL Connector: This connector provides access to data stored in SQL Server and allows you to fetch data from SQL Server databases.
  • Salesforce Connector: This connector provides access to data stored in Salesforce and allows you to fetch data from Salesforce objects such as contacts, leads, and opportunities.
  • OneDrive Connector: This connector provides access to data stored in OneDrive and allows you to fetch data from OneDrive files such as Excel workbooks, Word documents, and images.

There are many other connectors available in Power Apps, each with specific capabilities and use cases. These connectors allow you to fetch data from different data sources, which can then be used in your canvas app to create dynamic, data-driven experiences.

Create an app from data

A canvas app in Power Apps can be created from data by connecting to a data source, such as Excel, SharePoint, Dynamics 365, or other sources. The steps to create a canvas app from data are as follows:

  1. Choose the data source: The first step is to choose the data source you want to use for the canvas app. You can use various data sources, such as Excel, SharePoint, Dynamics 365, or other sources.
  2. Connect to the data source: After choosing the data source, you can connect to it using the relevant connector. You can connect to the data source by entering the connection details, such as the URL and credentials.
  3. Create the app: Once you have connected to the data source, you can create the canvas app. You can choose the app layout, and add controls, such as text boxes, drop-down lists, and checkboxes, to capture user input.
  4. Bind data to controls: You can bind the data from the data source to the controls in the canvas app. This will allow the app to display data and provide the ability to update or add data to the data source.
  5. Preview and publish: Once the app is created and data is bound to the controls, you can preview the app to ensure it works as expected. If everything is working as expected, you can publish the app for others to use.

By using a canvas app, you can quickly create an app that provides a user-friendly interface for accessing data from a data source and enables users to update or add data to the data source.

Use controls to design user experience

Controls in Power Apps are used to design the user interface and experience of a canvas app. There are different types of controls available, including text input controls, sliders, drop-down lists, checkboxes, buttons, images, and more. Controls can be customized to suit specific design requirements, such as adjusting font size, color, and formatting. When building a canvas app, it’s important to choose the right control for the right purpose and to ensure that the controls are arranged in a logical and intuitive manner. The selection and arrangement of controls affect the overall look and feel of the app, as well as the ease of use for the end user.

Publish and share an app

Publishing and sharing a canvas app can be done in the following steps:

  1. From the Power Apps studio, go to File > Share > Sharepoint or Teams.
  2. Choose the desired option for sharing: Publish to the organization or Share as a custom app.
  3. Fill out the necessary information, such as the app name and description, and click on Publish.
  4. For sharing as a custom app, invite users or groups by entering their email addresses, and selecting the desired access level: edit or run.
  5. The published or shared app can now be accessed by others through SharePoint or Teams and can be added as a tab in Teams or embedded in a SharePoint page.

Note: It is important to have the proper licensing and access to the environments used for sharing and publishing. The level of access for users can also be managed and updated as needed.

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Identify Power App Components

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Power Apps components are the building blocks used to create custom business applications. Common components include:

  • Screens: Used to display information and provide interaction with the user.
  • Controls: Used to display and interact with data such as text inputs, drop-down lists, buttons, etc.
  • Data Sources: Used to connect to and retrieve data from external sources such as databases, SharePoint, etc.
  • Logic: Used to control the flow of the application and perform actions based on user interactions or other events.
  • Templates: Pre-built apps that provide a starting point for creating custom applications.
  • Connectors: Used to connect to external data sources and services such as Office 365, Dynamics 365, etc.
  • Custom APIs: Used to extend the functionality of Power Apps by integrating with custom code or other services.

These components can be used in combination to create custom business applications that meet specific needs and requirements.

Difference between Canvas Apps and Model-Driven Apps

Canvas apps and model-driven apps are two different types of apps that can be created using Power Apps.

Canvas apps are a type of app that allows users to build custom forms and visual interfaces with a drag-and-drop interface. Canvas apps are typically used for tasks such as data collection and data entry, and allow users to create forms and interfaces that are tailored to their specific needs.

Model-driven apps, on the other hand, are a type of app that is built around a data model. Model-driven apps are typically used to create more complex business applications that are used to manage data, automate processes, and provide insights into business performance. These apps allow users to interact with their data through a graphical interface that includes forms, dashboards, and charts.

In summary, canvas apps are typically used for simple data collection and entry tasks, while model-driven apps are used to build complex business applications that are used to manage data, automate processes, and provide insights into business performance.

Use cases for formulas

Formulas in Power Apps are used to perform various calculations and make decisions based on data input. Some common use cases for formulas in Power Apps include:

  • Data validation: Formulas can be used to validate user input, such as checking if an email address is valid or if a number falls within a certain range.
  • Dynamic content: Formulas can be used to dynamically change the content displayed in an app based on user input or data values.
  • Calculations: Formulas can be used to perform calculations on data, such as summing up values, finding the average, or calculating discounts.
  • Conditional formatting: Formulas can be used to change the appearance of elements in an app based on data values, such as changing the background color of a field if a value is below a certain threshold.
  • Workflow automation: Formulas can be used to control the flow of an app based on data values or user input, such as sending an email or creating a new record in a database.

These are just a few examples of how formulas can be used in Power Apps to provide added functionality and automation to business processes.

Build a basic dashboard using Power BI

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A basic dashboard in Power BI can be created using the following steps:

  • Connect to the data source: Connect to the data source you want to visualize in Power BI Desktop. You can connect to various data sources such as Excel, SQL Server, SharePoint, and more.
  • Create a report: Create a report by dragging and dropping data fields from your data source onto the report canvas.
  • Add visuals: Add visualizations such as pie charts, bar charts, line charts, and others to represent your data in a graphical form.
  • Customize visuals: Customize your visuals by changing the colors, font, axis labels, and other properties.
  • Add filters: Add filters to limit the data that is displayed in your visuals.
  • Arrange visuals: Arrange your visuals on the report canvas in a way that makes sense for the story you want to tell.
  • Preview report: Preview your report by clicking the “View Report” button.
  • Publish: When you’re satisfied with your report, publish it to the Power BI Service by clicking the “Publish” button.
  • Add to a dashboard: Once your report is published, you can add it to a dashboard by clicking the “Add to dashboard” button.
  • Customize dashboard: Customize your dashboard by adding filters, changing the background color, and arranging your report tiles.

Your Power BI dashboard is now ready and can be shared with others or embedded in a website or application.

Create a Power BI Report

To create a Power BI Report, follow these steps:

  1. Open Power BI Desktop.
  2. Create a new report.
  3. Connect to your data source(s) by clicking on “Get Data”.
  4. Import the data into Power BI Desktop by clicking on “Load” or “Transform Data” for data cleaning and transformation.
  5. Create a report by selecting the data fields you want to display in your report.
  6. Select the visualization type that best represents your data.
  7. Customize the report by changing the layout, adding or removing columns and rows, and modifying the formatting.
  8. Preview your report by clicking on “View” and make any necessary changes.
  9. Save your report by clicking on “Save As” and provide a name for your report.
  10. Publish your report to the Power BI service by clicking on “Publish” in the Home tab.

Note: These are general steps and may vary depending on the complexity and scope of your report.

Create a Power BI Dashboard

A Power BI dashboard is a visual representation of your data that provides an at-a-glance view of your data insights. You can create a Power BI dashboard by following these steps:

  • Connect to your data source: Connect to the data source you want to use for your dashboard. You can connect to data from various sources including Excel, databases, cloud services, etc.
  • Create a report: Using the Power BI Desktop, create a report that visualizes your data. You can use various visualizations such as bar charts, line charts, pie charts, etc. to represent your data.
  • Create a dashboard: After creating a report, you can create a dashboard by clicking on the “New dashboard” button. You can choose from a variety of templates or create your own dashboard from scratch.
  • Add visualizations: You can add the visualizations from your report to the dashboard by clicking on the “Pin” icon in the report and selecting “Pin to dashboard.”
  • Customize the dashboard: You can customize the dashboard by rearranging the visualizations, changing colors and fonts, adding a title, and adding filters and slicers.
  • Share the dashboard: Finally, you can share the dashboard with others by publishing it to the Power BI service or embedding it in another application.

By using a Power BI dashboard, you can quickly get insights into your data and make informed decisions.

Publish and Share Reports and Dashboards

Power BI reports and dashboards can be published and shared by following these steps:

  1. Open Power BI Desktop, select the report you want to publish and click on the “Publish” button.
  2. After the report is published, open the Power BI Service. You will see the report listed in the workspace where it was published.
  3. To share the report, click on the “Share” button in the top right corner of the report.
  4. In the Share dialog box, enter the email addresses of the users you want to share the report with, select the access level (view, edit, or contribute), and enter any additional message if required.
  5. Click on the “Share” button to send the share invitation to the users.

For sharing a Power BI Dashboard, the process is similar to that of a report, with the additional option of creating a shared workspace, where multiple reports and dashboards can be shared among a group of users.

Note: The user receiving the report or dashboard must have a Power BI Pro or Power BI Premium license to access the content.