Blog - Recent Posts

Email - How to save multiple email addresses in a field, and configure the selection and display of addresses through a combo box

There are cases where we want to build a data entry screen where users can store multiple email addresses in a field. This post describes how to store a semi-colon separated list of email addresses in a SharePoint list, and configure a combo box control to allow the entry and display of the email addresses.

Data - How to apply customize sort sequences with SQL and Power Apps

In cases where we need to display non English data, there can be the requirement to sort data using langauge specific sort sequences. With SQL Server data sources, we apply custom sort sequences through collation settings, and this post describes how to apply this technique to a Power App.

Forms - How to hide fields that are blank, or have not been completed

Screens that display many fields can look messy when many of the values are incomplete or empty. We can tidy up the appearance of these screens by hiding empty fields, and this post describes how to carry out this task.

Data - How to filter records by a specific date, today's date, or range of dates

A common requirement to filter a list of records by date. This post describes the formula to carry out three common tasks - how to filter records by a specific date, today's date, or a range of dates. We also cover the formula to return all dates, if the user does not select a date.

Configuration - How to set the SharePoint address of a data source with a variable

When we build SharePoint based apps that we need to move between environments or tenants, a best practice is to store the list addresses in variables. This enables us to easily update the target data source when we move the app to a different location. This post walks through how to carry out this task.

Data - A walkthrough of how to migrate the data source of an app from Excel to Sharepoint

How easy is it to migrate the data source of an app from from Excel to SharePoint? This post describes the steps that are needed to carry out a data migration, and provides a demonstration by walking through the steps to migrate the sample Service Desk app from Excel to SharePoint.

How to dial a phone number from an app

On screens that display telephone numbers, we can open the dialler when the user clicks the number. This post walks through how to add this feature to an app

Email - How to open a new Outlook mail message and pre-populate the subject and message

In cases where we want create a new Outlook mail message and to pre-populate the recipient, subject and email body, we can accomplish this by calling the Launch function and specifying a "mailto" URL. This post describes this technqiue in more detail.

Mobile - How to navigate back through screens with the Android back button

By default, the back button on an Android device quits the current app, and returns the user to the app list. Here's how to configure an app so that the button navigates the user to the previous screen.

Data - How to rename a table or data source

The ability to rename a data source can be very useful, particularly following a change to the way that Power Apps names the SQL tables and views that we add to an app. This post describes how to change the name of a table/data source in a canvas app by modifying the source code.

Tools - The best way to carry out canvas app code reviews

As a matter of good practice, it's important to build apps that are performant, maintainable, and reliable. The 'Power Apps Review Tool' offers the best way to assess a canvas app, and to discover ways to improve the quality of an app. This post introduces the review tool, and provides a walk through on how to install it.

Email - How to send email without the Office 365 Outlook connector (using the Mail connector)

In cases where we cannot use the Office 365 Outlook connector, or don't have a suitable email account available, we can send messages using the Mail connector. This post describes how to send messages using this connector, including how to specify multiple recipients, CC/BCC recipients, and how to include attachments.

Data - How to enforce unique values (or prevent duplicate values) in one or more columns

When building apps that collect data, a common requirement is to prevent the entry of duplicate records. This post walks through how to accomplish this task by demonstrating how to enforce unique email address values in an employee table, and how to enforce a unique combination of firstname and surname for each record.

Email - How to send mail with the Gmail connector

The syntax to send messages with the Google connector can be tricky. How do we specify multiple recipients, BCC/CC recipients, the 'From' and 'Reply-to' email addresses, the message importance and attachments? How do we define line breaks in the message body? This post will answer all of these common questions.

Teams - The easiest way to add a message to a Microsoft Teams channel

If we want to add messages to a Microsoft Temas channel, this post describes a very simple way to carry out this task.