Create and configure views

Introduction:

As a Microsoft Power Platform Functional Consultant, one of the key responsibilities is to leverage the platform’s capabilities to design effective views. Views help users visualize, analyze, and interact with data stored in various Power Platform applications. In this article, we will explore the steps to create and configure views, utilizing the extensive knowledge from Microsoft documentation.

1. Understanding Views in Microsoft Power Platform:

Views in Power Platform serve as a graphical representation of data that allows users to view, filter, and analyze records. They facilitate a seamless user experience by presenting data in a structured and meaningful manner based on specific criteria. Views can be created in various Power Platform applications such as Dynamics 365, Power Apps, and Power Automate.

2. Creating Views in Power Apps:

To begin creating views in Power Apps, developers should follow these steps:

• Navigate to the “View” tab within the app designer.
• Click on the “Data sources” pane to select the data source where the view needs to be created.
• Choose the entity or table for which the view is intended.
• Click on the “New” button to start creating a new view.

3. Configuring Views in Power Apps:

Once the view is created, functional consultants can configure its settings to enhance user experience and meet specific business requirements:

• Define columns: Specify the columns that need to be displayed in the view. Utilize the “Data source” pane to select the desired fields and arrange them in the desired order.
• Sort and filter data: Apply sorting and filtering criteria to refine the view’s content. Utilize options such as ascending/descending order, single/multi-column sorting, and advanced filtering.
• Assign and share views: After configuring views, functional consultants can assign them to specific user roles or teams. Furthermore, views can be shared with individual app users or made available for public use.

4. Creating Personal Views:

In addition to system views, Microsoft Power Platform allows users to create personal views tailored to their workflow requirements. Personal views enable users to access specific data, customized columns, filters, and sorting criteria.

5. Advanced View Configuration:

Power Platform provides various advanced options to further fine-tune views:

• Conditional Formatting: Apply formatting rules to highlight specific records based on defined conditions. This helps users identify critical data at a glance.
• Charts and Visualizations: Enhance views by incorporating interactive charts and visual representations of data. Use the chart configuration options within Power Apps to create visually appealing insights.
• Lookup Filtering: Control the data available in lookup fields by configuring lookup filters within views. This ensures users only see relevant choices when populating lookup fields.

6. Publishing and Managing Views:

After creating and configuring views, functional consultants need to publish them to make them available for end-users. Power Platform offers a simple process for managing views, including editing, deactivating, and deleting them as needed.

Conclusion:

Creating and configuring views in Microsoft Power Platform is essential for presenting data to end-users in a meaningful way. By mastering these steps, functional consultants can elevate user experiences, streamline data analysis processes, and empower organizations to make informed decisions. Utilize the resources provided in Microsoft documentation to dive deeper into the details of view creation and configuration.