Documenting PowerApps

[Anonymous]

Hello All! SO after creating my app, I am now having to document the application and all its components. I am currently using PAs, SP and MS Flow and have to document all the connecting relationships. Does anyone have any tips for documentation or have sample documentation? I am having a really hard time coming up with the approach to this. Thank you!!! 

[v-yutliu-msft]

Hi @Anonymous ,

I'm afraid there's no function about listing all the details of the app in PowerApps currently.

You could express your views about this function on PowerApps Ideas Forum. Your precious advice will be very helpful for our work.

https://powerusers.microsoft.com/t5/PowerApps-Ideas/idb-p/PowerAppsIdeas

Maybe you could refer this doc about one sample app to see how to describe the app's key value:

https://powerapps.microsoft.com/en-us/blog/new-office-templates-meeting-capture-quicktask-and-company-pulse/

Best regards,

Community Support Team _ Phoebe Liu

[seadude · Accepted solution]

Hi @Anonymous ,

I've struggled with this as well. Here are some of my past practices that might be of use:

1. "Enhanced Code Review:"
   1. Record a walkthrough of the app code highlighting all complex functions.
   2. I like doing this via Skype with stakeholders on the call so they can ask questions. Keep it MAX 1hr.
   3. IDEALLY, you'd want to edit and chapterize the video afterward.
   4. Be sure to cover the OnStart (if used), OnVisible of each screen (if used), the OnSelect of any call-to-action buttons (these usually hold critical functions) and the Items property of any galleries.
   5. Of course anything else that is tricky (OnChange of dropdown/comboboxes, etc.)
2. "Hierarchical Docs"
   1. I've had some success in the forums here and within my org in documenting PowerApps controls in a hierarchical format. This can get quite long but is easier to maintain than a video when things change.
      1. Example:
         1. Control: App
         2. Property: OnStart
         3. Code:

            Put code here

         4. Dev Notes: Put special notes/explanations here
3. "Super Hacker Method" 🙂
   1. I found a way the other day to download all the source code for a PowerApp using Flow. I'm eventually going to create an automated way to put this in Github so I can compare changes.
   2. This method lists all controls and the code against them (as well as other configuration details)
   3. Kind of saving this for an upcoming blog post, so pm me for details.
   4. I'll come back to this forum post and put the details in soon.

[Anonymous]

Thank you for the awesome tips! I am looking at doing it on a document so I will try the Hierarchical Method. And the Super Hacker Method sounds interesting too, please keep me updated when you completed the blog post! Have a good day!

[Rodolfo1840]

@seadudeI'm excited to to see the Super Hacker Method !

[mogulman]

If you use SQL Server use can use Visual Studio (VS) to extract schema and repo to GIT to see changes.  You can save Powerapp to local .msapp file and unzip (add .zip).  It produces JSON files.  I use VS to format.  Repo to GIT to track changes.   You can use Azure Devops for repos.  It is free for 5 users.  You can create project in VS.  VS connects to Azure Devops.