A model-driven app is a type of app in the Microsoft Power Platform that is built using the Common Data Service (CDS) and the Power Apps Maker experience. Model-driven apps are designed to support business process automation and provide a form-based interface for users to interact with data stored in the Common Data Service.

To build a model-driven app, you need to first create an entity, which is a database table that stores data in the Common Data Service. Then, you can define relationships between entities, set up security roles, and create custom forms, views, and dashboards.

Once you have created the entities and defined the relationships, you can use the Power Apps Maker experience to create a model-driven app. This involves selecting the entities you want to include in the app, creating custom forms to enter and view data, and creating custom views and dashboards to display data.

You can also extend the functionality of a model-driven app by using Power Automate flows, Power BI reports, and custom code. This allows you to automate business processes and integrate data from other sources, as well as to create custom experiences for your users.

Once you have built your model-driven app, you can publish it and make it available to users through the Power Apps portal, Microsoft Teams, or SharePoint.

Create Model-Driven App from tables

To create a model-driven app from tables in Power Platform, follow these steps:

1. Go to the Power Platform Admin Center and select “Make a custom app”.
2. Choose “Model-driven app” and select “Create”.
3. Provide a name for your app and select the environment you want to create the app in.
4. Choose the entities (tables) you want to include in the app. You can create new entities or select from existing ones.
5. Configure the entities, including field types, relationships, and forms.
6. Select the design for the app and customize it as needed. You can add components like dashboards, charts, and forms to your app.
7. Preview the app and make any final changes.
8. Publish the app.

With these steps, you can create a model-driven app that provides a centralized location for storing and accessing data in Power Platform. You can also create a user-friendly experience for accessing and manipulating data in your app.

Modify Forms

In a model-driven app, forms play a crucial role in presenting data to the users and allowing them to interact with it. The forms can be modified to match the specific needs of an organization and can be customized in various ways. This includes adjusting the layout and controls, adding or removing fields, changing the form’s behavior and appearance, and adding rules and validation to the fields.

The modifications can be done using the form editor in the Power Apps Maker portal. The form editor provides a drag-and-drop interface for adding and arranging controls on the form. It also provides options for customizing the appearance of the form, such as changing the background color, adding images and other media, and adjusting the font and size of the text.

Additionally, the form editor supports the use of conditional formatting, which allows certain fields to be displayed or hidden based on the value of other fields. This is particularly useful for creating forms that are dynamic and adapt to the context in which they are used.

Once the modifications have been made, the form can be saved and published to make it available to the users. It is important to thoroughly test the form before publishing it to ensure that it functions as expected and meets the requirements of the organization.

Modifying forms in a model-driven app can be done through the Forms section of the app design. There you can create and edit the different forms associated with each entity. You can add and remove fields, control their order, and choose the layout of the form. Additionally, you can add sections, tabs, and business rules to enhance the user experience and enforce business logic. The changes made to the forms are automatically reflected in the user interface of the app.

Create and modify Views

In a model-driven app, views are used to represent data from entities in a specific format on a form, dashboard, or a list. The creation and updation of views are important steps to customize the user experience.

To create a view, you can follow these steps:

1. Go to the Model-driven app builder.
2. Select the entity for which you want to create a view.
3. Click on the Views option.
4. Click on the “New” button to create a new view.
5. Select the type of view you want to create (e.g. basic list view, card view, calendar view, etc.)
6. Configure the view settings such as columns, filters, sorting, etc.
7. Save the view.

To update a view, you can follow these steps:

1. Go to the Model-driven app builder.
2. Select the entity for which you want to modify the view.
3. Click on the Views option.
4. Click on the view you want to modify.
5. Make the necessary changes to the view.
6. Save the changes.

It’s also possible to apply customizations to views through the use of Power Apps Component Framework (PCF) or by using custom code.

Publish and Share an App

To publish and share a model-driven app, you need to first create the app and make sure that it meets your requirements and needs. Once you have confirmed that the app is ready, you can follow these steps to publish and share it:

1. Go to the environment where you have created the app.
2. From the app settings, click on ‘Publish’.
3. The app will be published and made available to your organization.
4. To share the app with other users, you can grant access to specific users or security groups. This can be done through the app settings in the Power Platform admin center or Microsoft 365 admin center.
5. Users who have access to the app can now use it in their environment.

It is important to keep in mind that users must have a Power Apps or Power Apps Plan 2 license in order to use the app. Additionally, sharing and publishing of model-driven apps can be governed by the organization’s policies and guidelines for data security and privacy.