Exporting canvas apps to another environment

[Lefty]

Hello,

Is there a good way to export to another environment a bunch of canvas apps, with each canvas apps datasource being an SPO list?

And then import them datasource and canvas app to another environment? 

Thanks

[KranthiTupakula · Accepted solution]

The only recommended way is to export and import.

Please follow this blog and it gives you step by step guidance on how to do that.

https://www.codesharepoint.com/sharepoint-tutorial/powerapps-export-and-import-package

Also ShaneYoung has done few videos on doing the same.

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[WarrenBelz]

HI @Lefty ,

Firstly, the SP list is independent of the environment, so you do not have to worry about it.

You can then use Export package, save the file and then (in the new environment) Import canvas app.

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[WarrenBelz]

Hi @Lefty ,

Just checking if you got the result you were looking for on this thread. Happy to help further if not.

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[Lefty]

@WarrenBelz apologies, 

exporting the PowerApps would allow me to import to any environment, without any thing else being enabled?

With regards to the SPO list, what's the work around, of course I can save the list as a template, and import into another environment, issue is when Power Apps talks to SPO, I will need to refresh, and losing all my design any code specific to fields on the form, is that correct?  

[WarrenBelz]

Hi @Lefty ,

SharePoint lists exist on sites, not environments, so I assume you mean site. When you export as a Template all of your field definitions and views come over - the main thing missing will be Lookup columns if you have any of those (they are best done without anyway).
You will then need to disconnect your current connections (they will be invalid now) and re-connect to the list in the new location.

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[Lefty]

Hi @WarrenBelz 

What I meant was moving a SharePoint list to a different environment, not a different site collection.

I am not using lookups, so that wouldn't be an issue for me.

I recall the last time I tried this, when I did not export my PowerApps, just needed to the same columns of a SP list, the list was exported to another site collection (same environment) and imported to another site collection, when I added the data source in PowerApps, it wanted me to refresh all the fields.... of course if I did this, I lose all my design and all code associated with the fields, i.e. hiding fields based on another choice field etc.?

What I want to do know is would exporting a Power Apps from one environment to another and exporting (saving as template) the SPO list, and importing to another SPO environment - and attaching both the Power apps form and SPO list, together (in a new environment) would this actually work?

[WarrenBelz]

Hi @Lefty ,

Again, I assume you mean Site here for SP (Environments are for Power Apps / Power Automate) - you can "bundle" Power Apps and Power Automate together with the Export function, but your data source is a completely separate issue. Also you do not need to move your SharePoint list just because you have moved environments in Power Apps - it will keep working fine with the existing connection.

The only way to "shift" a SharePoint List/Library with any functionality retained is the exporting as a Template and (optionally) including the data.  You need to delete the "old" data sources in Design mode the moment you enter the App and then connect the "new" one. It is best that you cannot "see" any form relying on this at the time. If you are asked to refresh after this - answer "No".

I have shifted a number of apps this way and never had any issues.

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[Lefty]

Hi @WarrenBelz 

OK my bad, when I meant moving SP lists, I meant to a different tenant.

I will need to try this again with a test app, I faced issues when I tried this, but clearly I have been doing something wrong if you have moved many apps this way?

I'll be in touch if that's ok when I can try this and when i face issues.

[WarrenBelz · Accepted solution]

Hi @Lefty ,'

I move SharePoint Lists/Libraries from a Test sub-site to the prod site, where the Template is saved to the main site and created as an App in Prod (also a sub-site of the main), however this should also work with exporting the Template and importing it to the new Tenant. I will wait to hear from you.

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