Re: How to save, export or send data from PowerApp...

Anonymous · ‎10-02-2018

Not sure how to ask this. Im new to PowerApps and not very hardcore dev either.. I have a some test with PowerApp and not Im thinking 'how can I use this?'. In some cases Im happy its so easy to connect a existing SP list and let powerapp make an app for me or make it myself with the connection. But I also have some cases where I dont see the use of connecting to data. For exemple I tried to make an small app to use instead of an existing word doc/form. Today someone print the word doc, tick some checkboxes, write their info in textboxes and so on and then give someone else the paper and that second person reads it and write an email to the right person(s) about that.. Im thinking it should be pretty easy to just make the email from an app? But how should I store the data from the inputs in the app? Gallery seems so.. not flexible?

And I have a few cases where I really need to make the final 'product' from an app to a new excel file.. Not update an existing one. Cant find how to? Its easy to make a new file of other type or update existing excel file. But no support for making a new??

Not sure Im making very much sense to you guys but I would be happy for your advise and help.

Thanx!

v-xida-msft · ‎10-03-2018

Hi @Anonymous,

Could you please share a bit more about your scenario?

For storing data within an app, I think SaveData function could achieve your needs in PowerApps. You could store your data using SaveData function within your local device, then when you re-open your app, reload this saved data using LoadData function.

More details about using SaveData function and LoadData function, please check the following blogs:

https://powerapps.microsoft.com/en-us/blog/build-offline-apps-with-new-powerapps-capabilities/

https://powerapps.microsoft.com/en-us/blog/implementing-offline-capability-in-your-app/

Note: The SaveData function and LoadData function only works within Mobile device.

For exporting data from an app, I think the Export control could achieve your needs in PowerApps. You could consider store your data as a Collection, and then export this collection as a compressed file into your local machine using the Export control. If you want to load this compressed file within your app, you could use the Import control.

More details about the Export control and Import control within PowerApps, please check the following article:

Export control and Import control

For sending data from an app, please check and see if the following blog would help in your scenario:

https://centricconsulting.com/blog/how-to-print-form-powerapps_portal/

Best regards,

Kris

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

Anonymous · ‎10-04-2018

@v-xida-msft

Thank you for your response. Im not very convinced but I will absolutetly look in to the functions you wrote.

Atlease one of the apps I have in mind I want to use on a computer so I guess the Save- /LoadData isnt the way for this one. I have been reading about this Export and Import control but if I understand it correct those are for temp storage between apps. Not to export data for other use.

One example scenario would be to (internal) order access rights and/or hardware. I think of it as a flexible form.. Input fields for namn and contact info on first page/screen in app. Then a new page with checkboxes and dropdowns to configure what the user want to order. New page for hardware with more inputs/checkboxes/dropdowns/radiobuttons.. At last some kind of confirmation screen to confirm and send it all to the right recipient.

So there is alot of choices and ifs and variables.. One way would make a SP list with a column for every input and then export from there but I would rather not make a long list with info that we dont need to store. All I really want is a nice order confirmation sent to the right persons I guess. I dont need the app to show any history or old data, its only to get the user to put in his order and send the answers to one or more [internal] suppliers. One way could be to make a variable of every input and in the end make up some html-based email? Are you following me what Im looking for? Any thoughts?

In another scenario the end product really needs to be an excel-file designed depending on users input. I managed to create a new file but not a xlsx.. Is there really no way to make that?

The last link, about printing, is interesting. Not that I want to print but the end product in some cases maybe could be an email or pdf or what ever..