Save a copy and Import causes app to error

[digitech]

I have an app which I have developed to use as a basis for other apps, like a template.

I can edit the original app, publish it and use it as normal, no error.

However if I create a copy of this app, with the exact same settings as soon as I publish it I get this error "The App stopped working. Try refreshing your browser".

I have tried, exporting it and then importing it with a new name and exactly the same thing happens.

Steps I take:

• Open template app in editor - File - Save as - *Enter new name* - Save
• Open new app in editor - File - Save - Publish 
• Play new app - Recieve error "The App stopped working. Try refreshing your browser"

Or to export/import:

• View template app in https://make.powerapps.com/ 
• Click Export Package (preview)
• Download Export Zip package
• Visit https://make.powerapps.com
• Import package (preview)
• Upload Zip package
• Give app a new name
• Upload finishes
• Open new app in editor - File - Save - Publish 
• Play new app - Recieve error "The App stopped working. Try refreshing your browser"

What could be causing this

[v-xida-msft]

Hi @digitech ,

Could you please share a bit more about the error message?

Does your "template" app work well in your browser?

Based on the issue that you mentioned, I have made a test on my side, and don't have the issue that you mentioned.

Please consider made some changes to your "template" app (Source App), then publish it within your PowerApps Studio for web. Then edit your "template" app, click "File"-> "Save as", enter a new name of the copied app, then click "Save".

After that, edit your copied app, then made some changes to it (e.g. add a button within the screen, then delete it), click "Save", then click "Publish". Then run your copied app again in Player mode, check if the issue is solved.

Also please clear cache of your browser, then run your copied app again, check if the issue is solved. If the issue still exists, please consider take a try to re-create a new "template" app within your PowerApps, then try your "Copy" operation again, check if the issue has been fixed.

Best regards,

[digitech]

---

@v-xida-msft wrote:

Hi @digitech ,

Could you please share a bit more about the error message?

Does your "template" app work well in your browser?

Based on the issue that you mentioned, I have made a test on my side, and don't have the issue that you mentioned.

Please consider made some changes to your "template" app (Source App), then publish it within your PowerApps Studio for web. Then edit your "template" app, click "File"-> "Save as", enter a new name of the copied app, then click "Save".

After that, edit your copied app, then made some changes to it (e.g. add a button within the screen, then delete it), click "Save", then click "Publish". Then run your copied app again in Player mode, check if the issue is solved.

Also please clear cache of your browser, then run your copied app again, check if the issue is solved. If the issue still exists, please consider take a try to re-create a new "template" app within your PowerApps, then try your "Copy" operation again, check if the issue has been fixed.

Best regards,

---

I have tried this, same error.

I have tried clearing cache, same error.

I have re-created the app from scratch, same error.

I re-created the app and tested after adding each element on to one screen and the error occurs when I add two components in to a screen. So if I just have one component it loads fine. As soon as I add a second component it errors.

It doesn't matter what is in the second component, whether it is an icon or text or whatever, it causes the front end error regardless.

If I remove the second component and re-publish the app works fine.

[digitech · Accepted solution]

After more investigation I managed to drill this down further and what was causing the error was the use of groups in the first component. Once I removed these groups the app worked.

It won't work if you apply any of the following to a group's properties:

App.ActiveScreen.Height
App.Height
Parent.Height

App.ActiveScreen.Width
App.Width
Parent.Width

It appears if elements are grouped together in a component it will only work if that group has it's width/height absolutely defined in pixels. I can't use defined pixels in this scenario as I want the app to use components and be responsive.

So I have removed the groups and applied the responsive formulas directly to the relevant elements, this then works as you would expect.

Summary: Groups in components don't appear to be able to use anything other than specific pixels without erroring.