How To Build Your First Powerapps

A guide to building your first PowerApps

PowerApps is part of Office 365, which allows users to create business applications within the shortest possible time.  PowerApps were therefore specifically designed to make the development cycle of business apps a lot simpler as well as to equally make it easier for app developers and business people to create customized apps that match their unique needs. It’s possible to create these applications in either the downloadable client app known as PowerApp Studio or directly inside your browser. However, it should be noted that even though the PowerApps Studio was known to have much more functionality in the past, the browser version has caught up with it and both currently have virtually the same features. If you are a non-developer, you can build your PowerApps by yourself by following these steps:

1. Set up and connect the App

The first step to create your PowerApps is to download, open and sign up in the PowerApps Studio. Once you are signed in, go to the menu where you would select your layout and data source. Of course, you can always choose a blank app and build your own data source from scratch if you do not find any that is suitable for you. Well, it is imperative to note that you need to select SharePoint in order to build your data source from the scratch.

• Set up a SharePoint list

The Office 365 has a SharePoint list, which was created in it. This SharePoint list has several columns that store information about each item on the list. Some of the items in the column include the title, name, age, department, address, picture as well as the date, time and the person who created or modified the SharePoint. That said, if you are building your data source from the scratch, you will then select SharePoint and subsequently, the ‘click directly’ option. You would further click on the ‘Create Button’ to move forward, but then, you also have to provide the SharePoint URL to get the data from the respective list before clicking ‘Go’. At this point, you would be presented with a list of all the SharePoint sites you entered and that is where you will select the list you intend connecting as your Apps’ data source.

• The PowerApps builder screen

Once you are in the App, you will notice the ‘quick tour’ window, which will help you get started. This screen is divided into three parts with provisional tools to design (left), modify your forms (middle) and above all create your PowerApps (right).

• Customize your App

You can proceed to customize your App by using all the control tools that are available in the toolbar. For instance, if you want to change the title, you need to select it and move to the advanced setting on the right hand of the screen. Of course, apart from the setting, you can also customize other aspects of the App, including the ‘order of our fields’ data sources, images, and formula, etc.

• Test and save the app

Once you are done with your UI changes and customization, the next logical thing to do is to run your app, so you can check if it’s working correctly. If you are satisfied with your App, it’s advisable to save it on your local computer or in the cloud for future use.