Is powerapps the right approach for me?

[KERATL]

Hi all - I have zero experience in PowerApps, looking for some input on it's capabilities

I've got a few macros that I've written for Desktop Outlook, with local deployment to a small group (because I personally installed the macros for them). However, those macros are not available in web-based Outlook, nor the mobile app for our company phones (both iPhones and Android).

If I wanted to re-develop the functionality in a way that would be available anytime any of us are using Outlook (without opening a separate app), can PowerApps do that (and if not, is there any other technology that can)?

Things like:

• Scan a draft email for specific company and project keywords before sending a message, pop up a warning/confirmation dialogue if needed
• If an NDA project is named in an email or invite, ping a live database on a company server to make sure the recipients are covered by the appropriate NDAs, otherwise pop up a warning/confirmation dialogue
• When sending a meeting invite, compare invitees to a project team roster on a server and pop up a dialogue box indicating which project team members are not on the invite list (teams that don't have their own distribution groups, and may change membership frequently)
• When setting up a meeting, automatically forward a room reservation request to building services

etc.

I appreciate your input/feedback! My goal is to develop functionality that feels 'native' in outlook, as I can't ensure that everyone will load a separate app every time they are using email on various devices (or even that they will install a separate app on various devices to run in the background, for example if they are accessing outlook via a desktop at a friend's house). I just don't know anything about PowerApps yet, and would like some expert feedback on whether this is possible in PowerApps so I don't end up frustrated later if it can't do what I need. 

[mdevaney]

@KERATL

Your main question is:

If I wanted to re-develop the functionality in a way that would be available anytime any of us are using Outlook (without opening a separate app), can PowerApps do that (and if not, is there any other technology that can)?

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The answer is:  no.  The functionality of PowerApps cannot be used in Outlook without opening a separate app.

I do not have any alternatives for you to try.  My expertise is not with Outlook Online.

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[timl]

Hi @KERATL 

@mdevaney is correct in that it isn't possible to integrate with Outlook with a Canvas app.

But with a Model Driven app, we can use this technique for Outlook integration.

https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/powerapps/maker/model-driven-apps/app-for-outlook-customize 

I think you could achieve a fair chunk of your requirements. I don't have too much experience of doing this type of integration, so hopefully, someone else here can give you a more knowledgeable answer.