Learning Microsoft Power Apps: Building Business Applications with Low-Code Technology

Copyright
Table of Contents
Preface
	Who This Book Is For
	Why I Wrote This Book
	What This Book Covers
	Power Apps Case Study
	Microsoft Power Apps Updates
	Conventions Used in This Book
	Using Code Examples
	O’Reilly Online Learning
	How to Contact Us
	Acknowledgments
Chapter 1. Evolution of Microsoft Power Apps
	Microsoft Dynamics CRM
	xRM
	Dynamics 365
	The Start of Low-Code, No-Code Development
	Birth of Power Apps
		Parallel Development of Dynamics 365 Customer Engagement Apps and Power Apps
		Handshakes Between Dynamics 365 Customer Engagement Apps and Power Apps
	Summary
Chapter 2. Introduction to Power Platform and Dataverse
	The Power Platform
		Power Platform Key Products
		Additional Power Platform Tools
		Why Power Platform Is Important for Power Apps
		Power Platform Real-World Example
		Power Platform for Developers
	Microsoft Dataverse
		Evolution of Microsoft Dataverse
		Microsoft Dataverse Connector
		Microsoft Dataverse Security
		Microsoft Dataverse Business Logic
		Microsoft Dataverse Data
	Summary
Chapter 3. Getting Started with Power Apps
	Introduction to Power Apps
	System Requirements
	Why Power Apps?
	Types of Power Apps
		Model-Driven Apps
		Canvas Apps
	Power Apps Building Blocks
		Power Apps Home Page
		Power Platform Admin Center
	Power Apps Collaborative Development
		Power Apps Is for Business Users
		Power Apps Is for Citizen Developers
		Power Apps Is for Professional Developers
		Power Apps Is for IT Administrators
		Power Apps Is for Testers
		Power Apps Is for App Users
		Power Apps Is for Everyone
	Power Apps Licensing and Cost
		Limited Capabilities
		Full Capabilities
		How Do I Decide Which License Plan to Choose?
		Understanding Power Apps Licenses
	Power Apps Trial and Developer Plan
		Power Apps Plan Trial
		Power Apps Developer Plan
	Power Apps Mobile Apps
	Summary
Chapter 4. Data Sources and Connectors
	Introduction to Data Sources and Connectors
	Data Sources for Model-Driven Apps
	Data Sources for Canvas Apps
		Tables
		AI Models
		Connectors
	The Architecture of Power Apps Connectors
	Types of Power Apps Connectors
		Standard Connectors
		Premium Connectors
		Custom Connectors
	Using Connectors Versus Calling an API
	Components of Power Apps Connectors
		Triggers and Actions in Canvas App Power Apps
		Triggers and Actions in Power Automate
	Summary
Chapter 5. Determining Which Type of Power Apps to Make
	When to Use Model-Driven Apps
		Data Stored in Microsoft Dataverse
		Complex Business Logic
		Design Web-Based Apps for Internal Employees
		Limited App Layout, UI, Look and Feel Requirements
		Automatically Responsive Apps Design
		Complex Dataverse Security Requirements
		Use Customer Engagement Apps
	When to Use Canvas Apps
		Design an App from Scratch or Blank Canvas
		Data Storage Flexibility Other Than Dataverse
		Control Over the App UI
		Template-Based App Development
		Design Mobile Apps for Internal Employees
	When to Embed a Canvas App in a Model-Driven App
		Guidance on Embedding Canvas Apps
		Steps to Embed a Canvas App in a Model-Driven App Form
	Power Apps Decision Tree
	Switching App Types
	Power Apps Patterns
		Event Management
		Lifecycle or Workflow Management
		Scheduling
		Approvals
		Asset Management
		Calculation/Transformation
		Communication/Announcement
		Inspection/Audit
		Project Management
	Summary
Chapter 6. Model-Driven App Components and Features
	Creating a Solution
	Data Components
	User Interface Components
		App Designer
		Site Map Designer
		Form Designer
		View Designer
		Command Bar (Toolbar) Designer
		Custom Page Designer
	Logic Components
		Business Process Flows
		Dataverse Classic Workflows
		Custom Actions
		Business Rules
		Power Automate
	Visualization Components
		Charts
		Dashboards
		Embedded Power BI
	Sharing a Model-Driven App
	Summary
Chapter 7. Extending Model-Driven App Features
	Code Components
		Web Resources and JavaScript
		Web Services in Dataverse
		Plug-ins
		Custom Workflow Activities
		Custom API
		Custom Pages
		The Power Apps Component Framework (PCF Controls)
		Environment Variables
	Integration Components
	The Monitor Tool
	Development Tools
	Summary
Chapter 8. Canvas App Controls and Features
	Power Apps Studio
	Controls and Properties
		Input Controls
		Display Controls
		Layout Controls
		Media Controls
		Icons and Shape Controls
		Chart Controls
		AI Builder Controls
		Mixed Reality Controls
		Modern Controls
	Components
		Creating Components
		Using Components on Canvas App Screens
		Canvas App Component Library
		Creating a New Component Library
	App Checker
	Monitor Tool
		How to Monitor a Canvas App
		Collaborative Troubleshooting Using the Monitor Tool
	Test Studio
		Using Test Studio
		Test Suite Events
		Important Points to Know About Test Studio
	Canvas App Versioning
	Canvas App Analytics
	Canvas App Sharing
		Sharing Canvas Apps with Internal Users
		Sharing Canvas Apps with External Users
	Canvas App Comments
	Canvas App Coauthoring
		Step 1: Create a GitHub Repository
		Step 2: Create a Personal Access Token
		Step 3: Enable Git Version Control
		Step 4: Create Branch and Directory in the Git Repository
		Step 5: Make Changes to the Canvas App
	Canvas App Accessibility
		Setting the AccessibleLabel Property
		Checking Accessibility Issues
	Summary
Chapter 9. Power Fx: A Low-Code Language
	What Is Power Fx?
	Power Fx Is for Everyone
		No-Code
		Low-Code
		Pro-Code
	Power Fx Architecture
	Power Fx in Power Apps
		Power Fx in Canvas Apps
		Power Fx in Model-Driven Apps
	Power Fx in Power Automate
	Power Fx in Copilot Studio
	Power Fx in Power BI
	Power Fx in Power Pages
	Summary
Chapter 10. Power Apps Deployment
	Power Apps Solutions
	Types of Solutions
		Common Data Service Default Solution
		Default Solution
		Unmanaged Solution
		Managed Solution
	Setting Your Preferred Solution
	Managed Properties in Managed Solutions
	Solution Export and Import
		Solution Export
		Solution Import
	Solution Segmentation
		Cloning a Patch
		Cloning a Solution
	Solution Versioning
	Solution Layering
	Solution Dependency
	Solution Deployment
		Manual Deployment
		Automatic Deployment
	Post Deployment
	Summary
Chapter 11. Microsoft Copilot in Power Apps
	Evolution of Artificial Intelligence in Power Platform
	Introduction to Microsoft Copilot
	Architecture of Copilot
	Prerequisites for the AI Features in Power Apps
	Copilot in Model-Driven Apps
	Copilot in Canvas Apps
		Design a Canvas App Using Copilot
		Editing Your App with Copilot
		Add a Chatbot Control to a Canvas App
		Adding a Copilot Control to a Canvas App
	AI Builder (Hub) in Canvas Apps
		AI Builder Capabilities
		How AI Models Work
		Using AI Builder to Create an App
		AI Model Accuracy
	Turn Images and Sketches into a Canvas App
	Copilot Studio
	Copilot Licenses
	Summary
Chapter 12. Power Apps with Microsoft Teams
	Dataverse for Teams Versus Dataverse
		Purpose
		Persona
		Licensing
		Storage
		Complexity
	Getting Started with Creating Apps in Teams
		Prerequisites
		Installing Power Apps in Microsoft Teams
		Setting Up Dataverse for Teams
		Creating and Customizing Power Apps in Teams
		Publishing Power Apps to Teams
		Sharing Your App with Others in Your Organization
	Installing Canvas App Template Apps to Teams
	Embedding a Model-Driven App in Teams
		Option 1: Embed a Model-Driven App as a Tab App in Teams
		Option 2: Embed a Model-Driven App as a Personal App in Teams
		Features Currently Unavailable
	Embedding a Canvas App in Teams
		Option 1: Add to Teams
		Option 2: Download App
	Summary
Chapter 13. Model-Driven App Case Study
	Planning the Implementation
		Implementation Methodology
		Implementation Phases
	Implementing the App
	Step 1: Prerequisites
		Create an Azure Account and Work Account
		Set Up the Power Platform Environment
		Import the PowerAppsBookLiveProject Solution
	Step 2: Create Publisher and Solution
	Step 3: Design Data Model
	Step 4: Design Security Model
		Securing Power Platform Environment Resources
		Securing Dataverse Data
		Securing the Power Apps Model-Driven App
	Step 5: Design the Model-Driven App
	Step 6: Create Model-Driven App Components
		Site Map
		Forms
		Views
		Business Process Flow
		Business Rules
		Command Bar (Toolbar) Design
		Low-Code Plug-in
		Custom Pages
		Dashboard
		Web API
		Plug-in Assembly
	Step 7: Power Automate
		Power Automate Trigger and Actions
		Trigger the Power Automate Flow from Finance Approval Page
	Environment Variables
	Summary
Chapter 14. Canvas App Case Study
	Step 1: Prerequisites
	Step 2: Create a Canvas App and Case Screen
	Step 3: Create Canvas App Components
		Contact Screen
		Map Screen
		Success Screen
		Case Approval Screen
		Login Screen
		Logout Control
		Copilot Control
	Step 4: Save and Publish the App
	Step 5: Share the App
	Step 6: Deploy the Solution
	Summary
Chapter 15. Power Apps Best Practices
	Model-Driven Apps
		Solutions
		Design
		Client-Side Logic
		Server-Side Logic
		Integration
		Security
	Canvas Apps
		Reduce Data Flow Time
		Limit the Number of Controls
		Optimize the OnStart Property
		Optimize the Data Source Connection
		Cache Repetitive Data in a Temporary Database
		Avoid Control Dependency Between Screens
		Use Delegable Functions and Queries
		Republish Your App Regularly
		Avoid Repeating the Same Formulas in Multiple Places
		Enable the DelayOutput Property on all TextInput Controls
		Use DelayItemLoading and LoadingSpinner to Improve Gallery Performance
		Limit Data and Columns Retrieved
		Don’t Use Unsupported or Legacy Browsers
		Set an Appropriate Environment Geographic Location
		Establish Canvas App Coding Guidelines
	Summary
	Closing Thoughts
Index
About the Author
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