1. Architecture and Organization: Lay a Solid Foundation
A well-structured app is like a recipe done right: everyone loves the result.
a) Use a Clear Naming Convention
Default names like Button1 or Label42? Forget it! They’re a nightmare to maintain. Use names that make sense:
Prefixes: btn_ for buttons, lbl_ for labels, txt_ for text inputs, gal_ for galleries, etc.
Context: Add the function or page. Example: btn_SaveClient, gal_OrdersList.
Consistency: Stick to the same style across the app.
Example: A button to submit a form becomes btn_SubmitClientForm instead of Button1.
b) Organize Your Screens Logically
Split your app into screens based on their purpose:
HomeScreen: For the homepage or login.
ListScreen: For showing lists (e.g., clients, products).
DetailsScreen: For viewing or editing an item.
SettingsScreen: For app settings.
Use smooth transitions with Navigate(ListScreen, ScreenTransition.Fade).
c) Use Reusable Components
Components are like LEGO bricks: build them once, use them everywhere. Create components for:
Headers: Logo, title, navigation.
Footers: Useful links, legal info.
Recurring Forms: Like a contact form.
Example Code for a navigation component:
// OnSelect property of a button in the component
Navigate(ListClientsScreen, ScreenTransition.Fade)d) Group Controls
If you have multiple controls that go together (e.g., a form with labels and fields), group them in a container for clarity.
Example: Create a container named cnt_ClientForm to group all form elements.
e) Plan Your Data Model
Before coding, define your data sources (SharePoint, Dataverse, Excel, etc.) and their structure. For example, if using a SharePoint list, ensure columns are set up (Name, Email, Status, etc.).
2. Performance Optimization: Make Your App Fly
A slow app is like a car with no engine. Here’s how to make it super fast.
a) Minimize Connector Calls
Every call to a data source (SharePoint, Dataverse, etc.) takes time. Store data in collections to reduce network calls.
Example: Load a SharePoint list at startup:
// In the app’s OnStart
ClearCollect(colClients, SharePointList_Clients);Then use colClients in galleries or forms instead of the SharePoint list directly.
b) Master Delegation
Delegation is when PowerApps offloads calculations to the data source. Using non-delegable functions on large lists (>500 items) makes PowerApps load everything locally, and that’s slow.
Delegable Functions: Filter, Sort, Search (depending on the source). Non-Delegable: Upper, Len, If in some cases.
Delegable Example:
Filter(SharePointList_Clients, Status = "Active")Avoid This:
Filter(SharePointList_Clients, Upper(Name) = "SMITH")Solution: Add a calculated column in SharePoint to avoid Upper.
c) Load Data Progressively
For large lists, use FirstN or pagination.
Example:
// Load the first 20 clients
FirstN(SortByColumns(colClients, "Name", Ascending), 20)d) Use Variables for Heavy Calculations
If you’re doing complex calculations, store the result in a variable to avoid recalculating.
Example:
// Calculate once and store
Set(varTotalClients, CountRows(colClients));
// Use the variable
lbl_TotalClients.Text = varTotalClientse) Optimize Galleries
Limit Controls: A gallery with 10 labels per row will slow things down. Keep only what’s needed.
Use Lightweight Images: If showing images, compress them first.
3. Collections: Your Secret Weapon
Collections are like a basket where you store data to work with it easily.
a) Create Collections at Startup
Load frequently used data into a collection.
Example:
// In OnStart
ClearCollect(colClients, Filter(SharePointList_Clients, Status = "Active"));b) Modify Collections Dynamically
Add, update, or remove items without touching the source.
Example: Add a client:
Collect(colClients, {Name: txt_Name.Text, Email: txt_Email.Text, Status: "Active"});c) Sync with the Source
When the user confirms, update the source with Patch.
Example:
ForAll(
colClients,
Patch(
SharePointList_Clients,
If(ThisRecord.ID = Blank(), Defaults(SharePointList_Clients), LookUp(SharePointList_Clients, ID = ThisRecord.ID)),
{Name: ThisRecord.Name, Email: ThisRecord.Email}
)
);
Clear(colClients);d) Use Collections for Temporary Data
If a user fills out a form but doesn’t submit, store the data in a temporary collection.
Example:
Collect(colTempForm, {Field1: txt_Field1.Text, Field2: txt_Field2.Text});4. Forms: Make Them Shine
Forms are often the heart of your app. Here’s how to make them perfect.
a) Set Modes Correctly
Use FormMode.New for new records and FormMode.Edit for editing.
Example:
// Button to switch to New mode
Set(frmMode, FormMode.New);
frm_Client.Mode = frmMode;b) Validate Data
Check fields before submission.
Example:
If(
IsBlank(txt_Name.Text) || IsBlank(txt_Email.Text),
Notify("Please fill in all required fields.", NotificationType.Error),
SubmitForm(frm_Client)
)c) Customize Errors
Use OnSuccess and OnFailure for clear messages.
Example:
// In OnSuccess of the form
Notify("Saved successfully!", NotificationType.Success);
// In OnFailure
Notify("Error while saving.", NotificationType.Error);d) Use Dynamic Forms
Show or hide fields based on context.
Example: Hide a field for non-admin users:
txt_ConfidentialField.Visible = User().Email = "admin@company.com"5. Error Handling: Be Ready for Anything
An app without error handling is like driving without a seatbelt. Plan for everything.
a) Show Notifications
Use Notify to guide the user.
Example:
If(
Patch(SharePointList_Clients, Defaults(SharePointList_Clients), {Name: txt_Name.Text}),
Notify("Client added!", NotificationType.Success),
Notify("Error adding client.", NotificationType.Error)
)b) Check Connectivity
Test the network connection before making calls.
Example:
If(
Connection.Connected,
Patch(...),
Notify("No internet connection.", NotificationType.Error)
)c) Handle Data Errors
Check if data exists before using it.
Example:
If(
IsEmpty(colClients),
Notify("No clients found.", NotificationType.Information),
Set(varFirstClient, First(colClients))
)6. Accessibility: Make Your App Inclusive
Everyone should be able to use your app, including people with disabilities.
a) Use High-Contrast Colors
Ensure text is readable (e.g., black text on a white background).
b) Add Descriptions
Use AccessibleLabel for screen readers.
Example:
btn_Submit.AccessibleLabel = "Save the form changes"c) Support Keyboard Navigation
Ensure the app can be used with Tab, Enter, etc.
d) Test with Accessibility Tools
Use the Accessibility Checker in PowerApps Studio.
7. Security: Protect Your Data
Security is non-negotiable.
a) Set Permissions
Limit access in your data source (e.g., SharePoint, Dataverse).
b) Hide Sensitive Data
Use conditions to show data based on the user.
Example:
If(
User().Email in ["admin@company.com", "manager@company.com"],
colClients,
Filter(colClients, Confidentiality = "Public")
)c) Avoid Hardcoding Data
Don’t put passwords or sensitive URLs in the code.
8. Collaboration and Version Control
If you’re working in a team, stay organized to avoid conflicts.
a) Use Power Platform Environments
Create separate environments (Dev, Test, Prod) to avoid breaking the production app.
b) Document Your Code
Add comments to your formulas.
Example:
// Filter active clients and store in a collection
ClearCollect(colClients, Filter(SharePointList_Clients, Status = "Active"));c) Use Version Control
Export your app regularly (as a .msapp file) and store it in a tool like Git or SharePoint.
d) Share Components
Use the Component Library to share components across apps or teams.
9. Testing: Don’t Deploy Without Checking
Test your app in every possible scenario:
Empty Data: What happens if the list is empty?
Weak Connection: Does the app handle disconnections?
Different Devices: Test on mobile, tablet, and PC.
Different Users: Check permissions.
Use the Preview mode or publish a test version in a separate environment.
10. Integration with Power Platform
PowerApps doesn’t live alone. Integrate it with other Power Platform tools.
a) Power Automate
Use Power Automate to automate complex tasks, like sending an email after saving.
Example:
// Call a Power Automate flow
PowerAutomateFlow.Run(txt_Name.Text, txt_Email.Text)b) Power BI
Add Power BI reports to your app with the Power BI Tile control.
c) Dataverse
If using Dataverse, leverage its relationships and business rules to simplify your app.
11. Advanced Tips
a) Use Global and Contextual Variables
Global: For shared data (e.g., Set(varUser, User())).
Contextual: For a specific screen (e.g., UpdateContext({varScreen: "List"})).
b) Customize the UI with Themes
Create a theme with variables for colors and fonts.
Example:
Set(varPrimaryColor, ColorValue("#0078D4"));
btn_Submit.Fill = varPrimaryColor;c) Use Advanced Functions
With: Simplifies complex formulas. Example:
With(
{client: LookUp(colClients, ID = varID)},
Patch(SharePointList_Clients, client, {Name: txt_Name.Text})
)Concurrent: Runs multiple calls in parallel to save time. Example:
Concurrent(
ClearCollect(colClients, SharePointList_Clients),
ClearCollect(colProducts, SharePointList_Products)
)12. Keep Your App Updated
PowerApps evolves fast. Check updates on the PowerApps blog or release notes. For example, new delegable functions or connectors might appear.
Complete Example: Client Management App
Here’s a full app for managing clients, using all the best practices.
Structure:
HomeScreen: Navigation button.
ListClientsScreen: Gallery with colClients.
DetailsClientScreen: Form to edit/view a client.
OnStart Code:
// Check connection
If(
Connection.Connected,
ClearCollect(colClients, SharePointList_Clients),
Notify("No internet connection.", NotificationType.Error)
);
// Set the current user
Set(varUser, User().Email);ListClientsScreen Code (Gallery):
// Items property
SortByColumns(
If(
varUser = "admin@company.com",
colClients,
Filter(colClients, Confidentiality = "Public")
),
"Name",
Ascending
)DetailsClientScreen Code (Form):
// Submit Button
If(
IsBlank(txt_Name.Text) || IsBlank(txt_Email.Text),
Notify("Missing required fields.", NotificationType.Error),
Patch(
SharePointList_Clients,
If(frm_Client.Mode = FormMode.New, Defaults(SharePointList_Clients), ThisItem),
{Name: txt_Name.Text, Email: txt_Email.Text}
);
Notify("Client saved!", NotificationType.Success);
Navigate(ListClientsScreen, ScreenTransition.Fade)
)Navigation Component:
// Button in the component
Navigate(ListClientsScreen, ScreenTransition.Fade)Conclusion
Building in PowerApps is like constructing a spaceship: you need a plan, the right tools, and a bit of creativity. By following these best practices—organization, optimization, security, accessibility, testing, integration—you’ll create apps that not only work but are also a joy to use, secure, and future-proof. Whether you’re a beginner or a pro, this guide is your bible for mastering PowerApps. So dive in, test, and build apps that rock!
If you need help or a specific example, just let me know, I’m here!