Concepts
Introduction
Microsoft Power Platform App Maker provides a powerful set of tools to create custom business applications. One of the key components within Power Platform is Dataverse, a relational database service that enables you to store and manage data. In this article, we will focus on creating and configuring Dataverse table forms, an essential aspect of building efficient apps with Power Platform. Let’s dive in!
1. Understanding Dataverse Tables
Dataverse tables serve as the foundational storage containers for your application’s data. They comprise a collection of fields, or columns, that define the data structure. These tables can be easily created within the Power Platform via the web interface or programmatically using the Power Apps API.
2. Creating a Dataverse Table Form
To begin, navigate to the Power Platform environment where you want to create the table form. Proceed with the following steps:
Step 1: Access the App Maker Studio
Launch Power Apps Studio by selecting the desired app from your Power Platform environment.
Step 2: Navigate to Tables
In the left-hand navigation pane, click on “Tables” to view the existing tables in the app.
Step 3: Create a New Table
Click on the “New table” button to initiate the creation process. Provide a meaningful name and description for your table.
Step 4: Define Table Columns
Add columns to your table by specifying the column name, data type, and any additional properties. Choose from various data types such as text, number, date/time, boolean, etc. Ensure you configure primary and foreign keys, as required.
Step 5: Save the Table
Once you have defined all necessary columns, click on the “Save table” button to create the table.
3. Configuring Dataverse Table Form Behavior
After creating the Dataverse table, it’s time to configure its form to define how users interact with the data. The form defines the layout, field order, and validation rules.
Step 1: Open the Table Form Designer
Select the table form you want to configure and click on the “Edit” button. This action opens the Table Form Designer.
Step 2: Customize the Form Layout
Within the designer, you can modify the form’s layout by dragging and dropping fields, resizing elements, and adding sections or tabs. Rearrange the fields to match your desired user experience.
Step 3: Configure Field Properties
For each field within the form, you can specify various properties like visibility, read-only status, validation rules, default values, etc. Use the right-hand pane to access these options.
Step 4: Define Data Card Properties
Data cards represent individual fields within the form. By selecting a data card, you can further customize its properties, such as label alignment, visibility, and whether it is required.
Step 5: Save and Publish the Form
Once you have configured the form as per your requirements, save the changes and publish the form. This way, the updated form will be available to users when they interact with the associated table.
4. Building Relationships Between Tables
Dataverse allows you to establish relationships between tables, ensuring data consistency and integrity. There are three types of relationships: one-to-many, many-to-one, and many-to-many.
Step 1: Navigate to Relationships
In the Table Form Designer, go to the “Relationships” tab to view and manage the table relationships.
Step 2: Configure Relationships
Click on the “New relationship” button to initiate the relationship setup. Specify the source table, related table, and cardinality. Additionally, determine the cascading behavior for delete and assign actions.
Step 3: Save and Publish
Save the relationship configuration and publish the form to make it effective within your app.
Conclusion
Creating and configuring Dataverse table forms is a fundamental aspect of building robust applications with Microsoft Power Platform App Maker. By following the steps outlined in this article and leveraging the extensive capabilities of Power Platform, you can efficiently manage your data and provide a seamless user experience. Experiment and explore further to harness the full potential of Power Platform’s Dataverse tables in your custom apps!
Answer the Questions in Comment Section
1. True or False: In Microsoft Power Platform, you can create and configure Dataverse table forms using a drag-and-drop interface.
Answer: True
2. Select the correct statement about Dataverse table forms in Microsoft Power Platform:
- a) Dataverse table forms can only be created using code.
- b) Dataverse table forms are used to manage data stored in Excel spreadsheets.
- c) Dataverse table forms allow users to view, create, and edit records in a structured way.
- d) Dataverse table forms can only be accessed by system administrators.
Answer: c) Dataverse table forms allow users to view, create, and edit records in a structured way.
3. True or False: When creating a Dataverse table form, you can define rules to validate data entered by users.
Answer: True
4. What can you do with the form designer in Microsoft Power Platform?
- a) Define data validation rules
- b) Customize the layout and appearance of the form
- c) Configure actions to be performed when the form is submitted
- d) All of the above
Answer: d) All of the above
5. True or False: When configuring a Dataverse table form, you can define conditional visibility for form components based on certain criteria.
Answer: True
6. Which form component allows users to search for and select records from another table?
- a) Checkbox
- b) Lookup field
- c) Option set
- d) Textbox
Answer: b) Lookup field
7. Select the correct statement about table form components in Microsoft Power Platform:
- a) Checkbox allows users to select multiple options from a predefined list.
- b) Option set allows users to enter numeric values.
- c) Textbox allows users to search for records in other tables.
- d) DateTime field allows users to select a date and time.
Answer: d) DateTime field allows users to select a date and time.
8. True or False: You can use custom JavaScript code to extend the functionality of Dataverse table forms in Microsoft Power Platform.
Answer: True
9. What is the purpose of the Form Properties window in Microsoft Power Platform?
- a) To define validation rules for the form
- b) To configure actions to be performed when the form loads or submits
- c) To customize the layout and appearance of the form
- d) To specify the table where the form data will be stored
Answer: b) To configure actions to be performed when the form loads or submits
10. True or False: You can create multiple forms for a single table in Microsoft Power Platform.
Answer: True
Great post on creating and configuring Dataverse table forms! It was very detailed.
I followed the steps but my form is not updating records as expected. Any tips?
Did you check if the form is properly linked to the correct table and columns?
Also, ensure you have sufficient permissions to update records in the Dataverse.
To optimize form performance, would it be better to use fewer lookup fields?
Yes, lookup fields can slow down the performance. Use them judiciously.
Consider using only essential lookup fields and utilize alternatives like text fields when possible.
Thanks for this comprehensive guide!
Can someone explain how to create a calculated field in a Dataverse form?
You can add calculated fields in the table designer under the ‘Data’ tab. It’s quite straightforward.
Make sure to define the formula correctly to avoid any errors.
The blog should have included more about custom controls for Dataverse forms.
Is there a way to set default values for fields in the Dataverse form?
Yes, you can set default values in the field properties when designing the form.
Default values can also be set using business rules within Dataverse.
This is really helpful for my PL-100 prep. Appreciate the detailed info.