cancel
Showing results for 
Search instead for 
Did you mean: 
Reply
Jaffa
Frequent Visitor

Form won't show collection data

I can no longer connect view/edit forms to a collection data source for offline use. It works in the currently published version of the app, but if I try to edit the app the form wants me to connect to a data source, and the collections don't show as an option, onbly the online sources. Is this a change that has happened since I last published an update, or something wrong with my setup?

1 ACCEPTED SOLUTION

Accepted Solutions
v-micsh-msft
Community Support
Community Support

Hi @Jaffa,

 

I think form control should not be available to work with collections.

As the data source definition states:
"

Most PowerApps apps use external information stored in cloud services called Data Sources. A common example is a table in an Excel file stored in OneDrive for Business. Apps access these data sources by using Connections.

"

And a collection can't be treated as a valid data source.

 

While yes, if we create the App from the data source directly, then create a collection of the datasource, and replace the datasource with the collection in the datasource property of form control, then the form control becomes non-editable,  but would work for data operations.

 

Regards,

Michael

Community Support Team _ Michael Shao
If this post helps, then please consider Accept it as the solution to help the other members find it more quickly.

View solution in original post

11 REPLIES 11
v-micsh-msft
Community Support
Community Support

Hi @Jaffa,

 

I think form control should not be available to work with collections.

As the data source definition states:
"

Most PowerApps apps use external information stored in cloud services called Data Sources. A common example is a table in an Excel file stored in OneDrive for Business. Apps access these data sources by using Connections.

"

And a collection can't be treated as a valid data source.

 

While yes, if we create the App from the data source directly, then create a collection of the datasource, and replace the datasource with the collection in the datasource property of form control, then the form control becomes non-editable,  but would work for data operations.

 

Regards,

Michael

Community Support Team _ Michael Shao
If this post helps, then please consider Accept it as the solution to help the other members find it more quickly.

That means that it is no longer possible to have forms in an offline app. That would be unfortunate. My app Collects data from an online source and uses SaveData to save it locally when online, then uses LoadData to load it into a collection when offline, as my users often are. I'm sure others use the same structure. This means that it is no longer possible to display the detailed data in a form. It is still posible to lay it out manually, but why is that necessary, when the Display Form does exactly that?

 

I'm afraid I don't understand your last sentence. I cannot replace the live source with the collection - the collection does not appear in the list of sources, and replacing the DataSource property with the collection just results in the control saying it is not connected to any data.

Jaffa
Frequent Visitor

OK, I think I see what you mean now. Although it says it isn't connected to data it does still work when you play the app.

 

Hopefully this is a temporary situation and forms wil either be changed to work with collections or some other methodf of offline working will be developed. Thanks for your assistance.

Anonymous
Not applicable

I am seeing the exact same behavior in the current version of PowerApps web editor: on the Data tab of the Form, I am unable to select my collection as the data source, but on the Advanced tab I am able to type in the name of the collection into the DataSource field and then the app works as expected.

 

PowerApps dev team needs to fix this, it's misleading and caused me to waste a lot of time trying to figure out what was wrong when it was simply a web editor UI bug.

Anonymous
Not applicable

I'm able to connect to a collection using the Advanced tab, but I can't get the app or the data to flow into the form (edit or view). When I load the app nothing happens either. 

 

Has anyone got any suggestions? 

 

***Edit*** Never mind, just managed to get it working. No idea how/what changed but now its working....

Are you supposed to be able to load collections as a datasource for Forms?
I can't get it to work, in advanced I type the collection name but as Sulley I can't get it to work..


Would be great if we could patch values of forms into our collection of the current cell selected. Or if datatables could return what coulumn you have selected and not just the row.

Anonymous
Not applicable

If I type the name of the collection in the Advanced tab, nothing else works for me. Using SubmitForm only adds empty records to my collection even if I name the DataField after the correct column.

 

Seems like everything has to be hacked together in Power Apps, nothing works as desired.

Boneckrh19
Kudo Kingpin
Kudo Kingpin

Vote for this idea if you would like support for collections to be used as a fully functional datasource in display and edit forms!

https://powerusers.microsoft.com/t5/PowerApps-Ideas/Allow-Collections-to-be-used-as-a-DataSource-in-...

In your case, it just sounds like you need to manually type in the collection name into the items property.

In order to use a Collection as a DataSource for an EditForm, you have to:

1. Use a Gallery as a proxy. This is the only way I found to set the Form's `Item` property (gallery.Selected).

  1a. Without the Gallery, there isn't really an Item for the Form to display.

  1b. I spose you could do a Lookup based on a Button OnSelect or something to pull in one record from the Collection to display.

2. Add Custom DataCards (three little dots after clicking "Edit Fields" in the Form Advanced Properties)

3. Next, you need to set the Default values of Text/Label controls within the Custom Cards to be gallery.Selected.X, where "X" is the value in the collection you want to edit.

4. Add a button in one of the Custom Cards to Patch/UpdateIf the Collection with the edited values from the form

5. Lastly, Patch the edited Collection back to the DataSource

I wrote a little about it here if this helps: https://stackoverflow.com/questions/61840842/canvas-powerapp-form-unable-to-get-fields-from-custom-c...

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 (4,768)