There has been one question in these forums about Power Apps app project management that I found; there may be more. The question was about whether using Visual Studio Code or Notepad++. I use both but it is interesting to learn from the many app makers what they are doing/using to keep track of their organization of their app: screens, controls, control properties and their formulas namely.
For example in the course of building my own app, I have noticed that with one (edit type) screen, I have
The formula that make up the key properties of all these controls can get very confusing, especially if the dependencies of the formulas get circular in a legal or possibly illegal way, with the illegal way showing up as an error or warning.
A good tool/dev environment that helps "app makers" quickly see their design flaws or learn about how to construct formulas following known principles and making proper use of variables (both global and context), of collections, and of screens and their controls and control properties?
So what are you using to keep organized and track of what you are doing? It doesn't have to be a specialized tool. Some may just be printing out lots of paper, although formulas are being changed constantly.
Solved! Go to Solution.
The Power Apps Review tool (GitHub - microsoft/powerapps-tools: Unsupported PowerApps Tools & Apps) is worth taking a look at. You can save a copy of an App to you PC and then open it with this tool to get a complete view of every property/formula.
Handy if you want to do a search, e.g. for use of collections or specific formula text given that, incredibly, there is still no such search facility in PowerApps Studio itself.
I suspect you could use some other tool (even Word's Compare Versions feature) to look for differences between versions.
Unfortunately the tool is very flakey - takes a very long time to analyse a file and then you have to output to HTML to actually do any search as the tool itself is so slow and unstable.
I often use NotePad++ to edit formulas and keep copies of earlier versions of formulas (especially as Ctrl+Z is unreliable) as working in the Formula Bar is still pretty terrible despite the improvements of the experimental 'Enhanced Formula Bar' though the nightmare UI for expanding and collapsing the formula bar (just let me drag the **bleep** thing up and down, don't make me hit inconveniently placed icons) drives me insane.
Performance Monitor is well worth taking a look at to see what is actually going on under the hood and seeing how functions like 'Refresh' destroy App performance and figuring out work-arounds that are more efficient.
The Power Apps Review tool (GitHub - microsoft/powerapps-tools: Unsupported PowerApps Tools & Apps) is worth taking a look at. You can save a copy of an App to you PC and then open it with this tool to get a complete view of every property/formula.
Handy if you want to do a search, e.g. for use of collections or specific formula text given that, incredibly, there is still no such search facility in PowerApps Studio itself.
I suspect you could use some other tool (even Word's Compare Versions feature) to look for differences between versions.
Unfortunately the tool is very flakey - takes a very long time to analyse a file and then you have to output to HTML to actually do any search as the tool itself is so slow and unstable.
I often use NotePad++ to edit formulas and keep copies of earlier versions of formulas (especially as Ctrl+Z is unreliable) as working in the Formula Bar is still pretty terrible despite the improvements of the experimental 'Enhanced Formula Bar' though the nightmare UI for expanding and collapsing the formula bar (just let me drag the **bleep** thing up and down, don't make me hit inconveniently placed icons) drives me insane.
Performance Monitor is well worth taking a look at to see what is actually going on under the hood and seeing how functions like 'Refresh' destroy App performance and figuring out work-arounds that are more efficient.
We can’t imagine our communities without the amazing work of our Super Users! They are the most active members of our community, offering incredible solutions, providing answers to questions across the forum, and working closely with the Microsoft Power Platform Community team to find new ways to engage our communities around the world. If you are interested in becoming a Super User, today at #MPPC23, we annoucned a new way for you to “SUIT” up and earn your Super User badge! The new “Super User in Training” initiative is a great way for you to begin building your solution rate, engage with other community members, and find out what it takes to truly be SUPER. Become a “super solver” across the Power Platform communities, whether you’re an expert in Power Apps or just getting started with Power Pages. No matter where you are on your Power Platform journey, we are here to encourage YOU to discover YOUR superpower! Don't sell your self short, even as a newcomer to Power Platform or Dynamics 365 you are on a journey of discovery. In fact in my experience people that are just starting out are often the ones that can solve some of the most challenging problems because the research they are doing to get ramped up is exactly what the person asking for help is seeking! Find out more about the SUIT program for “Super Users in Training” at the Power Platform Community Lounge at #MPPC23. Not at the Conference, just click this link to find out how to sign up today: aka.ms/suit
This weekly series is our way of helping the amazing members of our community--both new members and seasoned veterans--learn and grow in how to best engage in the community! Each Tuesday, we will feature new areas of content that will help you best understand the community--from ranking and badges to profile avatars, from Super Users to blogging in the community. Our hope is that this information will help each of our community members grow in their experience with Power Platform, with the community, and with each other! Have you ever wondered how your fellow community members earn the different ranks available? What is the difference between an Advocate and a Helper, a Solution Sage and a Community Champion? In today's #TuesdayTip, we share the secrets and tips to help YOU keep your ranking growing--and why it's so important to our communities. What are community ranks? - Power Platform Community (microsoft.com) Get the details in this Knowledge Base article that shows you what ranks are, how they are achieved, and what they mean to you as you engage with other community members on a regular basis. Once you start your journey in the community, ranking up, you'll find the benefits. So get busy with those kudos, solutions, and more! We can't wait to see how you rank!That's it for this week. Tune in for more Tuesday Tips next Tuesday and join the community as we continue to get "Back to Basics."
After all the planning and preparing, the annual Microsoft Power Platform Conference is finally here! We are excited to see so many of our community in Las Vegas this week. To help make sure you don't miss any of the workshops, sessions, and events we have planned, make sure to check out this handy Community One-Sheet, and download the pdf today! Make sure to stop by the Community Lounge to meet @hugobernier, @EricArcher, @heaher_italent, and @AshleyFelts from our team! See you in Vegas!
Join us for the first-ever the Biz Apps Community User Group meeting live from the Power Platform Conference! This one hour user group meeting is all about discovering the value and benefits of User Groups! Discover how you can find a group in your local area or about specific topics where you can learn new skills and meet like-minded people as a user group member. Hear from User Group leaders about why they do what they do and what resources they receive to help them succeed as community ambassadors. If you have never attended a User Group meeting before, this will be a great introduction! We hope you are inspired to find a group that meets your unique interests! October 5th at 2:15 pm Pacific time If you're attending #MPPC23 in Las Vegas, join us in person! Find out more here: https://powerplatformconf.com/#!/session/Biz%20Apps%20Community%20User%20Group%20Meeting%20-%20Live%20from%20MPPC/6172 Not at MPPC23? Attend vvirtually by registering here: https://aka.ms/MPPCusergroupmeeting2023 If you can't attend this meeting live, don't worry! We will record this meeting and share it with the Community at powerusers.microsoft.com
We are excited to kick off our new #TuesdayTIps series, "Back to Basics." This weekly series is our way of helping the amazing members of our community--both new members and seasoned veterans--learn and grow in how to best engage in the community! Each Tuesday, we will feature new areas of content that will help you best understand the community--from ranking and badges to profile avatars, from Super Users to blogging in the community. Our hope is that this information will help each of our community members grow in their experience with Power Platform, with the community, and with each other! This Week's Tips: Account Support: Changing Passwords, Changing Email Addresses or Usernames, "Need Admin Approval," Etc.Wondering how to get support for your community account? Check out the details on these common questions and more. Just follow the link below for articles that explain it all.Community Account Support - Power Platform Community (microsoft.com) All About GDPR: How It Affects Closing Your Community Account (And Why You Should Think Twice Before You Do)GDPR, the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), took effect May 25th 2018. A European privacy law, GDPR imposes new rules on companies and other organizations offering goods and services to people in the European Union (EU), or that collect and analyze data tied to EU residents. GDPR applies no matter where you are located, and it affects what happens when you decide to close your account. Read the details here:All About GDPR - Power Platform Community (microsoft.com) Getting to Know You: Setting Up Your Community Profile, Customizing Your Profile, and More.Your community profile helps other members of the community get to know you as you begin to engage and interact. Your profile is a mirror of your activity in the community. Find out how to set it up, change your avatar, adjust your time zone, and more. Click on the link below to find out how:Community Profile, Time Zone, Picture (Avatar) & D... - Power Platform Community (microsoft.com) That's it for this week. Tune in for more Tuesday Tips next Tuesday and join the community as we get "Back to Basics."
Welcome to our September 2023 Newsletter, where we highlight the latest news, product releases, podcasts, upcoming events, and the great work of our Power Platform Community members. As usual, please make sure you follow our News & Announcements in the Community to stay up to date. Another great way to connect is to join our Power Platform Community on LinkedIn. You can join our LInkedIn community here. MPPC's Got Power - Submissions end September 28th! Are you ready to showcase your skills at the Microsoft Power Platform Conference in Las Vegas? Don't miss out on the "MPPC's Got Power" talent show, a grand celebration of connection, inspiration, and shared journeys. Whether you're a technical innovator, a talented storyteller, or have a hidden creative side, we want to see what you've got! With three categories to choose from, you have the chance to shine on stage and make your mark in the Microsoft Power Platform community. Click the GIF to sign up by Thursday 28th September to be part of an unforgettable MPPC23 experience. Now is your time to shine! Check Out the Low Code Approach Podcast Give the Low Code Approach Podcast a listen! Hosted by Sean Fiene, Wendy Haddad, and Kenric Auguillard, this innovative show shines a light on how Microsoft MVPs, product team members, and Community users are building exciting solutions using Microsoft Power Platform. Plus, with guests like Kartik Kanakasabesan, April Dunnam, Ricardo Duncan Jr., Sonja Gu, Phil Topness, Shane Young and more, this weekly show is a must for all you Business Applications enthusiasts out there. Click the image below to check it out! COMMUNITY HIGHLIGHTS Check out the most active Community users for August 2023. These hardworking members are posting regularly, answering questions, writing blogs, giving kudos, and providing top solutions in their communities across Power Platform. Huge thanks to these amazing community members for their great contributions last month! trice602poweractivateLaurensMWarrenBelzAmikBCBuizerSamLedcreativeopinion timlExpiscornovusManishSolankiMattJimisonfernandosilvaMisterMarkPstork1saudali_25hafizsultan242Lucas001ragavanrajanp_doc UPCOMING EVENT: 365 EDUCON CHICAGO Whether you're new to Microsoft 365, Power Platform and SharePoint, or an experienced power user, admin or developer, 365 EduCon has content designed to fit your experience level and area of interest. Their workshops and sessions are taught by Microsoft Certified Trainers, MVPs, Regional Directors, and Engineers. Find out more and register here: Home - Microsoft 365 EduCon Chicago - A Microsoft 365 Conference.