Blog - Recent Posts

Text - How to convert a character to its ASCII numeric value

There's no built-in function in Power Apps to convert a character to its ASCII value. This post describes how to carry out this task.

Text - Examples of how to use the Char function, and a reference of ASCII codes

A very versatile function is the Char function. This post highlights example use case scenarios of how to utilise this function and provides a reference guide of ASCII codes.

Calendar - An easy way to add events to Google calendar

For cases where we want to add events to a Google calendar, we can carry out this task through a simple technique that avoids the more complex alternative of calling the Google Calendar connector. This post describes this method in more detail.

Controls - How to set the data source of a Combo Box to a comma separated string

There may be a need to set the data source of a combo box control to a comma-separated list. This post walks through how to carry out this task.

Learning - Ignite Power Platform Developer Challenge - Chance to obtain a free exam this November 2021

Following from the Ignite conference earlier this month, a highlight is the "Cloud Skills Challenge". This offers a free certification exam for those who complete the challenge, and this post provides more details.

Microsoft Ignite 2021 - Highlights and summary of Power App announcements

The Microsoft Ignite conference is one of the biggest annual events in Microsoft's calendar. If you missed it, here's a summary of what we learned, including the top highlights for Power App builders.

Outlook - How to add, edit, delete, and list Outlook calendar events

By integrating apps with Outlook calendars, we can create far more powerful apps, particaularly in the case of scheduling applications. This post describes how to integrate with Outlook through the Office 365 Outlook Connector Including tasks that include adding, editing, deleting, and searching Outlook calendar events.

Apps - Migrating OnStart formula to use App.StartScreen/ Fixing existing apps that implement deep linking

A recent update to Power Apps now prohibits the use of Navigate in App.OnStart. Existing apps that call Navigate in App.OnStart will show the error 'Navigate is not permitted in OnStart. Use the StartScreen property instead.' How do we fix this problem? The post describes some of the possible solutions.

Calculations - What mistakes can happen when we fail to use round brackets correctly in calculations?

What can go wrong when we fail to use brackets correctly in mathematical calculations? This post provides an example.

Walkthrough - Solving maths puzzles with Power Apps

For learning purposes, it can be useful to see a practical example of how to carry out mathematical tasks with Power Apps. This post walks through a demonstration of how to answer a quiz question using Power FX functions that include ForAll, Sequence, and Mod.

Error - Unable to modify Dataverse tables with error message, Language id should not be null

Au unusal problem you may encounter is the inability to modify Dataverse tables. During any attempt to modify or to save a table, the designer shows the error 'Language ID should not be null'. Here's what to do if you experience this problem.

Formula - Transposing/converting rows to columns- an almost impossible task?

A common requirement is to transpose records in Power Apps - in other words, to convert rows to columns or columns to rows. This post discusses this topic and provides an example of how to carry out this task.

Charts - How to create donut charts

A common way to build donut charts is to create an SVG image that represents the chart. This post introduces this technique and describes the formula to set donut chart values.

Settings - The easiest way to find environment id and other settings

Up till now, it hasn't been easy to find the URLs and unique identfiers for environments, and other settings that are required to access Dataverse and Power Apps externally. The good news is that the Maker Portal now displays these key details in a 'developer resources' panel.

Admin - How to quarantine or block all users from running a specific app

There is now a preview feature that enables app builders to block all users from opening and running an app. This post describes how to use this feature.