cancel
Showing results for 
Search instead for 
Did you mean: 
Reply
SanchezCSG
Resolver I
Resolver I

Connect with Sharepoint Excel

Hi guys!

 

Im running an app that insert rows in excel in my "personal" OneDrive.

 

I want to insert rows in a excel in SharePoint but PowerApps only let me sincronize Sharepoint lists. There is any way to do this?

 

 

26 REPLIES 26

@RandyHayesThanks, this is good point - I will try to make the SP list and connect Excel to make data update easier.
My question is still valid - what is proper ExcelOnline usage scenario?

 

@AndrzejSU 

Seems the usage for that is more toward creating an Excel file and filling it in, not so much for consuming the data and using it.

Although technically, you could use the "Get" functions to pull in the data and put in collections to work with.  

But, it's not really a data connector in the sense of it being a datasource.

At least that's my take on it.

_____________________________________________________________________________________
Digging it? - Click on the Thumbs Up below. Solved your problem? - Click on Accept as Solution below. Others seeking the same answers will be happy you did.
NOTE: My normal response times will be Mon to Fri from 1 PM to 10 PM UTC (and lots of other times too!)
Check out my PowerApps Videos too! And, follow me on Twitter @RandyHayes

Really want to show your appreciation? Buy Me A Cup Of Coffee!

@RandyHayes 
Well, I do not need an Excel as a datasource. I just look for an easy to manage list of some attributes to show when user is opening a PowerApp to make sure user can choose only values proper for the user.

There are couple of hundreds of users, so something more useful than SP list would be appreciated - in our case Excel file would be preferred as a tool to keep and maintain the list. This would give ca 300 records in the table. Small enough to forget about regular database table, big enough to look for something more convenient than SP list.
The scenario I was considering was:

1. Put list of registered users with attributes into Excel file table located in SP folder.

2. Upon opening of PowerApp read a list of attributes filtered by user name (using ExcelOnline) and show them on form to choose from.

3. Save a record to another SP list (already done) with other data and with attachment.

Now it seems that I cannot do the step 1 and 2 and i do not see other flexible possibility to do it. Putting list of attributes into application as constant is not an option as user names and attributes are slowly, but constantly changing.

Any other thoughts?

@RandyHayes 
BTW - I have defined a collection (as you suggested)  and used ExcelOnline to add datasource (this is how it is called in documention). Actually durng definition i should be asked to point to a file and table, which has not happen. When I use OnSelect action of dropdown to read values Collect(AttribCol, ...) there is nothing to show as a second parameter (there should be a column name from Excel file table available). Am I wrong?

@AndrzejSU 

So, I contend that SP is going to be your better alternative for this over Excel.

You are (based on your statement that you want to get attribute information out of the Excel file) still going to be using that Excel file as a DataSource.  

Yes, you could go about using the Excel Online connector -But you will have challenges.  First, it's not going to ask you for the file like you think (that would be the regular Excel data source), you will have to specify the file location on your call to the functions of that connector.  Then, you will have to do all the groundwork to pull the tables, rows, or whatever else you want into a collection or other statement.  Then you are going to have to work with what that returns.  ALSO - keep in mind - the Excel Online connector is a Premium connector.  All of you users of that App will need the appropriate Licenses to use it.

So, let's say that's not a good way...next choice is Excel as a datasource from your OneDrive.  We've already discussed that part as being an option, but has the disadvantage of "Your OneDrive" and the sharing involved.  But, it's at least a full workable datasource and everything is all ready for you.  And, there is no premium license issue.

So, let's say that's not a good way...next chioce is SharePoint as a datasource.  Easily sharable.  Easy to maintain.  Easy to customize.  PowerApps eats it up for a DataSource.  And, no premium license needed.

Also, since you mention Users being stored in the Excel file.  With Excel that is a manual process.  With SP, you can easily have a People Column and that work is done for you.

 

I do this concept of having options, attributes, special operating parameters, etc. per user, just as you mention...In my case, it's always SharePoint as the go-to.  No hassle with Excel.  No SQL needed.  Create List, fill with info, connect to PowerApps...done.

 

Hope this helps shed some more thought.

_____________________________________________________________________________________
Digging it? - Click on the Thumbs Up below. Solved your problem? - Click on Accept as Solution below. Others seeking the same answers will be happy you did.
NOTE: My normal response times will be Mon to Fri from 1 PM to 10 PM UTC (and lots of other times too!)
Check out my PowerApps Videos too! And, follow me on Twitter @RandyHayes

Really want to show your appreciation? Buy Me A Cup Of Coffee!

@RandyHayes 
Maintaining list of users with attributes on SP list is not a viable solution. Sadly, SP interface is not really hlepful here.
Anyway, thank for your thoughts.

Hi,

 

I have the same problem as AndrzejSU but it seems that I can't avoid an Excel file. Why? I have an app that is an "interface" for a quite big Sharepoint list (task list) + some other datasources (also Sharepoint lists). Now - tasks on my lists are sometimes dependant on some other task list maintained in another application (not a Power App or any MS application) which for sure cannot be linked to Power Apps as the datasource. The only way I can do it is to make an automatic export to Excel from "the other app" and then link it in Power Apps (I just nead read access to Excel file). So:

 - Sharepoint list is not an option because I cannot export from "the other app" to sharepoint list, the only reasonable option is an Excel file

 - Some solution is a file on OneDrive but is has some serious consequences:

   - it's user dependant and this is something I hate in application, any change of the "owner" will require change in application

   - user list for my app is 100+ and it's global so it's really difficult to maintain for a single person, I now have a few co-owners who help manage users but if the file will be on my OneDrive I think I'll be the only one who may give/remove an access and it will be a serious bottleneck

 

Really there's no other way of doing that? I admit this is my fault I didn't check that before but I assumed there's no way that such a basic funcionality doesn't work 😕

Hi,

the solution I have come up is to keep excel file on SP as planned. I cannot avoid it.

ExcelOnlineBusiness works well in Flow, I decided to prepare additional SP list and export values to SP list each time it is required by PowerApp. My excel list is not big - ca 300 records, 4 columns, so it does not take long to do the export (using Flow triggered by PowerApp, where ExcelOnlineBusiness works with no problem on excel file on SP). I also do not need all of records for each user, but only 1 to 5 (per user). Then I can consume required attributes directly from SP list in PowerApp (drop down). Not as simple I would like to have, but seems to work.

@AndrzejSU : so just to make sure I understand - please confirm this is correct:

  1. You keep your Excel file on SP
  2. You "export" your excel file to a new SP list (don't know yet how but I assume it's possible)
  3. Then you link your new list into Power Apps

Is that correct? Quite complicated but it would solve my problem and it looks like automatic process (I would just need to keep my Excel file updated).

 

@Slawek1 

Yes, correct.
2. Export is done by Flow process triggered from PowerApp.

I have a "Welcome" screen with some information and on open of this screen export starts.

Helpful resources

Announcements

Exclusive LIVE Community Event: Power Apps Copilot Coffee Chat with Copilot Studio Product Team

  It's time for the SECOND Power Apps Copilot Coffee Chat featuring the Copilot Studio product team, which will be held LIVE on April 3, 2024 at 9:30 AM Pacific Daylight Time (PDT).     This is an incredible opportunity to connect with members of the Copilot Studio product team and ask them anything about Copilot Studio. We'll share our special guests with you shortly--but we want to encourage to mark your calendars now because you will not want to miss the conversation.   This live event will give you the unique opportunity to learn more about Copilot Studio plans, where we’ll focus, and get insight into upcoming features. We’re looking forward to hearing from the community, so bring your questions!   TO GET ACCESS TO THIS EXCLUSIVE AMA: Kudo this post to reserve your spot! Reserve your spot now by kudoing this post.  Reservations will be prioritized on when your kudo for the post comes through, so don't wait! Click that "kudo button" today.   Invitations will be sent on April 2nd.Users posting Kudos after April 2nd. at 9AM PDT may not receive an invitation but will be able to view the session online after conclusion of the event. Give your "kudo" today and mark your calendars for April 3rd, 2024 at 9:30 AM PDT and join us for an engaging and informative session!

Tuesday Tip: Unlocking Community Achievements and Earning Badges

TUESDAY TIPS are our way of communicating helpful things we've learned or shared that have helped members of the Community. Whether you're just getting started or you're a seasoned pro, Tuesday Tips will help you know where to go, what to look for, and navigate your way through the ever-growing--and ever-changing--world of the Power Platform Community! We cover basics about the Community, provide a few "insider tips" to make your experience even better, and share best practices gleaned from our most active community members and Super Users.   With so many new Community members joining us each week, we'll also review a few of our "best practices" so you know just "how" the Community works, so make sure to watch the News & Announcements each week for the latest and greatest Tuesday Tips!     THIS WEEK'S TIP: Unlocking Achievements and Earning BadgesAcross the Communities, you'll see badges on users profile that recognize and reward their engagement and contributions. These badges each signify a different achievement--and all of those achievements are available to any Community member! If you're a seasoned pro or just getting started, you too can earn badges for the great work you do. Check out some details on Community badges below--and find out more in the detailed link at the end of the article!       A Diverse Range of Badges to Collect The badges you can earn in the Community cover a wide array of activities, including: Kudos Received: Acknowledges the number of times a user’s post has been appreciated with a “Kudo.”Kudos Given: Highlights the user’s generosity in recognizing others’ contributions.Topics Created: Tracks the number of discussions initiated by a user.Solutions Provided: Celebrates the instances where a user’s response is marked as the correct solution.Reply: Counts the number of times a user has engaged with community discussions.Blog Contributor: Honors those who contribute valuable content and are invited to write for the community blog.       A Community Evolving Together Badges are not only a great way to recognize outstanding contributions of our amazing Community members--they are also a way to continue fostering a collaborative and supportive environment. As you continue to share your knowledge and assist each other these badges serve as a visual representation of your valuable contributions.   Find out more about badges in these Community Support pages in each Community: All About Community Badges - Power Apps CommunityAll About Community Badges - Power Automate CommunityAll About Community Badges - Copilot Studio CommunityAll About Community Badges - Power Pages Community

Tuesday Tips: Powering Up Your Community Profile

TUESDAY TIPS are our way of communicating helpful things we've learned or shared that have helped members of the Community. Whether you're just getting started or you're a seasoned pro, Tuesday Tips will help you know where to go, what to look for, and navigate your way through the ever-growing--and ever-changing--world of the Power Platform Community! We cover basics about the Community, provide a few "insider tips" to make your experience even better, and share best practices gleaned from our most active community members and Super Users.   With so many new Community members joining us each week, we'll also review a few of our "best practices" so you know just "how" the Community works, so make sure to watch the News & Announcements each week for the latest and greatest Tuesday Tips!   This Week's Tip: Power Up Your Profile!  🚀 It's where every Community member gets their start, and it's essential that you keep it updated! Your Community User Profile is how you're able to get messages, post solutions, ask questions--and as you rank up, it's where your badges will appear and how you'll be known when you start blogging in the Community Blog. Your Community User Profile is how the Community knows you--so it's essential that it works the way you need it to! From changing your username to updating contact information, this Knowledge Base Article is your best resource for powering up your profile.     Password Puzzles? No Problem! Find out how to sync your Azure AD password with your community account, ensuring a seamless sign-in. No separate passwords to remember! Job Jumps & Email Swaps Changed jobs? Got a new email? Fear not! You'll find out how to link your shiny new email to your existing community account, keeping your contributions and connections intact. Username Uncertainties Unraveled Picking the perfect username is crucial--and sometimes the original choice you signed up with doesn't fit as well as you may have thought. There's a quick way to request an update here--but remember, your username is your community identity, so choose wisely. "Need Admin Approval" Warning Window? If you see this error message while using the community, don't worry. A simple process will help you get where you need to go. If you still need assistance, find out how to contact your Community Support team. Whatever you're looking for, when it comes to your profile, the Community Account Support Knowledge Base article is your treasure trove of tips as you navigate the nuances of your Community Profile. It’s the ultimate resource for keeping your digital identity in tip-top shape while engaging with the Power Platform Community. So, dive in and power up your profile today!  💪🚀   Community Account Support | Power Apps Community Account Support | Power AutomateCommunity Account Support | Copilot Studio  Community Account Support | Power Pages

Super User of the Month | Chris Piasecki

In our 2nd installment of this new ongoing feature in the Community, we're thrilled to announce that Chris Piasecki is our Super User of the Month for March 2024. If you've been in the Community for a while, we're sure you've seen a comment or marked one of Chris' helpful tips as a solution--he's been a Super User for SEVEN consecutive seasons!       Since authoring his first reply in April 2020 to his most recent achievement organizing the Canadian Power Platform Summit this month, Chris has helped countless Community members with his insights and expertise. In addition to being a Super User, Chris is also a User Group leader, Microsoft MVP, and a featured speaker at the Microsoft Power Platform Conference. His contributions to the new SUIT program, along with his joyous personality and willingness to jump in and help so many members has made Chris a fixture in the Power Platform Community.   When Chris isn't authoring solutions or organizing events, he's actively leading Piasecki Consulting, specializing in solution architecture, integration, DevOps, and more--helping clients discover how to strategize and implement Microsoft's technology platforms. We are grateful for Chris' insightful help in the Community and look forward to even more amazing milestones as he continues to assist so many with his great tips, solutions--always with a smile and a great sense of humor.You can find Chris in the Community and on LinkedIn. Thanks for being such a SUPER user, Chris! 💪🌠

Tuesday Tips: Community Ranks and YOU

TUESDAY TIPS are our way of communicating helpful things we've learned or shared that have helped members of the Community. Whether you're just getting started or you're a seasoned pro, Tuesday Tips will help you know where to go, what to look for, and navigate your way through the ever-growing--and ever-changing--world of the Power Platform Community! We cover basics about the Community, provide a few "insider tips" to make your experience even better, and share best practices gleaned from our most active community members and Super Users.   With so many new Community members joining us each week, we'll also review a few of our "best practices" so you know just "how" the Community works, so make sure to watch the News & Announcements each week for the latest and greatest Tuesday Tips!This Week: Community Ranks--Moving from "Member" to "Community Champion"   Have you ever wondered how your fellow community members ascend the ranks within our community? What sets apart an Advocate from a Helper, or a Solution Sage from a Community Champion? In today’s #TuesdayTip, we’re unveiling the secrets and sharing tips to help YOU elevate your ranking—and why it matters to our vibrant communities. Community ranks serve as a window into a member’s role and activity. They celebrate your accomplishments and reveal whether someone has been actively contributing and assisting others. For instance, a Super User is someone who has been exceptionally helpful and engaged. Some ranks even come with special permissions, especially those related to community management. As you actively participate—whether by creating new topics, providing solutions, or earning kudos—your rank can climb. Each time you achieve a new rank, you’ll receive an email notification. Look out for the icon and rank name displayed next to your username—it’s a badge of honor! Fun fact: Your Community Engagement Team keeps an eye on these ranks, recognizing the most passionate and active community members. So shine brightly with valuable content, and you might just earn well-deserved recognition! Where can you see someone’s rank? When viewing a post, you’ll find a member’s rank to the left of their name.Click on a username to explore their profile, where their rank is prominently displayed. What about the ranks themselves? New members start as New Members, progressing to Regular Visitors, and then Frequent Visitors.Beyond that, we have a categorized system: Kudo Ranks: Earned through kudos (teal icons).Post Ranks: Based on your posts (purple icons).Solution Ranks: Reflecting your solutions (green icons).Combo Ranks: These orange icons combine kudos, solutions, and posts. The top ranks have unique names, making your journey even more exciting! So dive in, collect those kudos, share solutions, and let’s see how high you can rank! 🌟 🚀   Check out the Using the Community boards in each of the communities for more helpful information!  Power Apps, Power Automate, Copilot Studio & Power Pages

Find Out What Makes Super Users So Super

We know many of you visit the Power Platform Communities to ask questions and receive answers. But do you know that many of our best answers and solutions come from Community members who are super active, helping anyone who needs a little help getting unstuck with Business Applications products? We call these dedicated Community members Super Users because they are the real heroes in the Community, willing to jump in whenever they can to help! Maybe you've encountered them yourself and they've solved some of your biggest questions. Have you ever wondered, "Why?"We interviewed several of our Super Users to understand what drives them to help in the Community--and discover the difference it has made in their lives as well! Take a look in our gallery today: What Motivates a Super User? - Power Platform Community (microsoft.com)

Top Solution Authors
Top Kudoed Authors
Users online (5,810)