Build a basic Canvas App

February 16, 2023 ~ Renjith ~ Leave a comment

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

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

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.
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.
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.
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.
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:

From the Power Apps studio, go to File > Share > Sharepoint or Teams.
Choose the desired option for sharing: Publish to the organization or Share as a custom app.
Fill out the necessary information, such as the app name and description, and click on Publish.
For sharing as a custom app, invite users or groups by entering their email addresses, and selecting the desired access level: edit or run.
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.

Describe Connectors

February 8, 2023 ~ Renjith ~ Leave a comment

Connectors in Microsoft Power Platform are a set of pre-built integrations that allow for the seamless flow of data between the Power Platform and other applications and services. Connectors allow for the following capabilities:

Data Integration: Connectors allow for easy integration of data from a variety of sources, such as SharePoint, Salesforce, and Google Drive, into the Power Platform.
Automated Workflows: Connectors can be used in Power Automate to automate workflows and streamline business processes. For example, a connector for SharePoint can be used to automate the process of uploading a document to a specific folder.
Customizable Integration: Connectors can be customized to meet specific business requirements and can be used to integrate with custom or proprietary systems.
Easy to Use: Connectors have a simple and intuitive user interface, making it easy to set up and configure integrations without requiring extensive technical knowledge.
Secure: Connectors use secure protocols, such as OAuth, to ensure the secure flow of data between the Power Platform and other systems.

In summary, connectors in Microsoft Power Platform are a powerful tool for integrating data and automating workflows, providing businesses with the ability to seamlessly integrate the Power Platform with other systems and services. They help businesses to streamline processes, increase efficiency, and improve the overall user experience.

Triggers

Triggers in Power Automate are the starting point of a workflow. They initiate the automation process when a specific event or condition occurs. There are several types of triggers in Power Automate:

Manual trigger: Triggered by a user action, such as clicking a button.
Recurrence trigger: Triggered at specified intervals, such as every hour or every day.
Power Apps trigger: Triggered by action within a Power App.
Microsoft Forms trigger: Triggered by submission in a Microsoft Forms form.
Power BI trigger: Triggered by a data change in a Power BI data set.
SharePoint trigger: Triggered by an action in a SharePoint list or library.

Triggers are used to automate a variety of processes and tasks, such as sending notifications, updating data, or creating records in a database. They are a key component of Power Automate workflows, helping organizations streamline their processes and increase productivity.

Actions

Actions in Power Automate are the steps that are performed after a trigger is activated. They represent the tasks that are automated by the workflow. Some common actions in Power Automate include:

Send an email: Sends an email to one or more recipients.
Create a record: Creates a new record in a database or data source.
Update a record: Updates an existing record in a database or data source.
Get a record: Retrieves a specific record from a database or data source.
Delete a record: Deletes a record from a database or data source.
Start a flow: Triggers another Power Automate flow.
HTTP request: Makes a request to an external API or service.
SharePoint: Performs actions within a SharePoint site, such as creating a list item or uploading a file.

Actions are combined to form workflows in Power Automate. They help automate a variety of business processes, such as sending notifications, updating records, or creating reports. By using actions, organizations can improve productivity, save time, and streamline their processes.

Licensing Options

The licensing options for Power Automate connectors vary depending on the type of connector and the services it accesses. Some connectors are included with Power Automate licenses, while others may require additional licenses or a paid subscription to the third-party service. It’s important to review the specific licensing requirements for each connector to ensure compliance and avoid additional costs. It’s also important to note that some connectors may have usage limits or restrictions, so it’s important to review the documentation for each connector to understand its capabilities and limitations.

Describe Microsoft Dataverse

February 7, 2023 ~ Renjith ~ Leave a comment

Microsoft Dataverse (previously known as Common Data Service) is a cloud-based data platform that enables businesses to store and manage their data in a centralized and secure environment. It provides a standard data model for various applications and services within Microsoft Power Platform and Dynamics 365, allowing seamless data integration and management.

The key features of Microsoft Dataverse include:

Data Modeling: Dataverse provides a flexible data model that allows businesses to define custom entities and relationships, making storing and managing complex data easy.
Data Management: Dataverse provides tools for managing and maintaining data, including data import and export, data validation, and data protection.
Data Security: Dataverse provides advanced security features, such as role-based access control, data encryption, and auditing, to ensure the confidentiality and security of business data.
Integration with Other Services: Dataverse integrates with other Microsoft services and tools, such as Power Apps and Power Automate, allowing for seamless data integration and management.
Customization and Extensibility: Dataverse provides a wide range of customization and extensibility options, making it possible to tailor the platform to meet specific business requirements.
Scalability and Performance: Dataverse is built on Microsoft Azure, ensuring that it can scale to meet the needs of growing businesses and can handle large amounts of data.

Difference between Databases and Dataverse

Databases and Dataverse are data storage solutions, but they have different features and are used for different purposes.

A database is a collection of related data stored in a structured format, typically organized into tables and columns. Databases can be used to store data for a wide range of applications, including business systems, online platforms, and mobile apps. They typically support a wide range of data types and provide a range of data management features, such as indexing, querying, and transactions.

Dataverse, on the other hand, is a cloud-based data platform that is part of the Microsoft Power Platform. It provides a low-code platform for building and customizing business applications, and is designed to work seamlessly with other Power Platform components such as Power Apps, Power Automate, and Power BI. Dataverse provides a flexible data model that supports a wide range of data types and provides data validation, relationships, and security features.

In summary, databases are general-purpose data storage solutions that can be used for a wide range of applications, while Dataverse is a specific platform designed for building and customizing business applications within the Power Platform.

Difference between Dataverse and Dataverse for Teams

Dataverse and Dataverse for Teams are both part of the Microsoft Power Platform, but they are designed for different purposes and target other user groups.

Dataverse is a cloud-based data platform that provides a low-code environment for building and customizing business applications. It offers a flexible data model, robust security features, and integration with other Power Platform components such as Power Apps, Power Automate, and Power BI. Dataverse is typically used by businesses and organizations to build custom applications to meet specific business needs.

Dataverse for Teams, on the other hand, is a version of Dataverse that is specifically designed for use by teams and departments within an organization. It provides a simplified data platform that allows teams to quickly build and deploy custom applications and workflows, without the need for extensive development or IT resources. Dataverse for Teams also provides robust security features, integration with other Microsoft 365 services, and a simplified administration model.

In summary, Dataverse is a full-featured data platform for building and customizing business applications, while Dataverse for Teams is a simplified version of Dataverse that is designed for use by teams and departments within an organization.

Describe tables, columns, and relationships

In the Microsoft Power Platform, tables, columns, and relationships are the core building blocks for creating data-driven applications.

Tables are containers for storing data in a structured way. Tables can be used to store information about customers, orders, invoices, and other types of data that are relevant to a business. Tables in the Power Platform can be easily created, modified, and extended to meet the changing needs of a business.

Columns are the fields that make up a table, and they define the type of data that can be stored in a table. Columns can include text fields, numbers, dates, and other data types. In the Power Platform, columns can also be used to enforce business rules, such as minimum and maximum values, or data format.

Relationships are the links between tables that define how data is related. Relationships in the Power Platform can be used to enforce data integrity, and to make it easier to access and work with related data. For example, a relationship between a customer table and an order table can be used to ensure that a customer is only associated with the correct order. Relationships can also be used to enforce referential integrity, which ensures that data remains consistent and accurate even when changes are made to related data.

In summary, tables, columns, and relationships are the fundamental building blocks for creating data-driven applications in the Microsoft Power Platform, and they provide a flexible and powerful platform for storing, accessing, and working with data.

How to use standard tables to describe people, places, and things

The Microsoft Power Platform provides standard tables for describing people, places, and things, which are used to store and manage data in a consistent and organized manner. The standard tables in the Power Platform are pre-defined and include fields that are commonly used to describe people, places, and things.

For example, the “Contacts” table is a standard table used to describe people, and it includes fields such as first name, last name, email address, and phone number. The “Accounts” table is another standard table used to describe places or organizations, and it includes fields such as company name, address, and website. The “Opportunities” table is a standard table used to describe things or sales opportunities, and it includes fields such as product, opportunity name, and estimated close date.

Using standard tables in the Power Platform provides several benefits, including:

Consistency: Standard tables ensure that data is entered and stored in a consistent manner, which makes it easier to work with and analyze the data.
Flexibility: Standard tables can be customized and extended to meet the specific needs of a business.
Integration: Standard tables can be easily integrated with other data sources, such as Excel or other Power Platform apps, to create a unified view of data.
Security: Standard tables in the Power Platform support role-based security, which allows for fine-grained control over who has access to the data.

To use standard tables in the Power Platform, simply create a new table in the platform and select the appropriate standard table as the starting point. Then, customize the table as needed to meet the specific needs of a business.