Intro to power apps

Question 1

3 types of apps: canvas. model, portal

Answer 1

Canvas apps
Canvas apps are a great option when you want to build an app from a blank canvas. You start by choosing the screen size: tablet of mobile, then you have a blank screen from which to build. You can interact with data in your app by adding data sources. Drag and drop various controls and add the desired functionality by writing Excel style formulas. Canvas apps provide you complete flexibility when building your apps.

Model-driven apps
Model-driven apps build from data in the Common Data Service. With model-driven apps, there is no need to worry about choosing the app size; it is responsive, meaning it works on mobile or tablet with no extra work by you.

Portals
Portals bring the power of no-code solutions to building externally facing websites. Through the Power Apps interface, you can build an anonymous or authenticated website that allows users to interact with data held in Common Data Service. The same drag and drop experience you enjoy when building apps is available to build these rich, interactive

Question 2

Canvas vs. Model Driven

Answer 2

Canvas apps make individuals more productive by providing a highly customizable, pixel perfect UI for accomplishing tasks. Canvas apps can use connectors, and are often used to extend other applications​

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Model-driven apps make businesses more successful by providing a vehicle for continuous improvement of complex business processes. Model-driven apps can contain embedded canvas apps when a highly customizable UI is required. They also have native dashboards, charts, and reports, but can leverage Power BI for this purpose as well.

Question 3

Canvas Control

Screens, gallery, image, input

Answer 3

Screens – either blank, or pre-built templates for emails, calendars, or meetings​

​Gallery – shows a list of records from a data source​
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Image – show a picture from a local file or from a data source (like a contact photo)​

Inputs – controls that capture data from users, like text boxes, drop downs, date pickers, etc.

Question 4

Versioning

Answer 4

Canvas Apps track version history and can be restored when an app owner wants to revert to an older version. ​

If you screw something up, simply restore to a prior working version.​

NOTE: When you restore and older version, it creates a new version with a higher number. ​

EXAMPLE: If you had two versions of your app, and you restore the oldest version, you will now have a third version

Question 5

Usage Analytics: power platform admim center

Answer 5

The Power Platform Admin center provides analytics on which services (Power Apps, Power Automate, CDS) are being used, and if there are any errors or issues

Question 6

Accessibility: hot keys, screen readers, app checker

Answer 6

Both canvas and model-driven Power: hot keys, screen readers

The “App checker” can alert canvas app makers when their apps violate accessibility guidelines and recommend fixes.

Question 7

Power Apps Mobile: model driven vs canvas app

Answer 7

2 versions:

Currently, for mobile users of model-driven Power Apps, you must use the “Dynamics 365 for Phones” application to play those apps.​

​Canvas Power Apps are played using the “Power Apps” mobile application.