When creating apps for Microsoft’s Power Platform, understanding when to use different controls – such as forms, galleries, buttons, labels, input controls, images, and custom controls – is pivotal. This blog post will break down each of these controls, providing guidance on where to deploy them in your app-making process best. Let’s explore each of them in detail:
Forms
Forms serve as the cornerstone of data interaction within your app. When you want to display, edit, or create an item from a data source, forms are your best bet. Microsoft Power Apps provides two types of forms: Edit form and Display form.
- Edit form: This allows the user to edit or create an item from the data source. The fields are editable, and you can integrate commands like ‘Submit Form’ or ‘Reset Form.’
- Display form: This presents information from an item but doesn’t provide editing options.
You can use these forms depending on the level of interaction you want the user to have with the data.
Galleries
In Power Apps, galleries are great for displaying data, providing users with an overview of what’s available. You can think of galleries as a dynamic control that changes according to the data source it’s connected to. For example, a product listing page in an e-commerce app or a news feed in a social media application. You can customize them to showcase images, texts, or even other controls such as sliders or checkboxes.
Buttons
Buttons are action triggers in your application. Whenever you want to initiate a function or action, use a button. This could be anything from navigating to a new screen, submitting a form, or updating data in the backend.
Labels
Labels are used to display static text, such as a title, instructions, or information in your app. They are non-interactive and serve primarily to guide or inform the user. For instance, you might use a label to display the app name on the main screen or instructions on a form.
Input Controls
These controls are used to capture user inputs. They can be any screen-based controls that allow users to interact with the app. Examples include Text input (for simple text), Dropdown (to choose one of several options), Date Picker (to select a date), and Slider. You should use input controls whenever the app requires user interaction to function.
Images
Images serve a dual purpose in Power Apps: they can improve aesthetics and can also be used to convey information. They can be used for branding, to provide a preview (like a product image in a shopping app) or as interactive elements (e.g., a clickable ‘Trash’ icon to delete an item).
Custom Controls
Microsoft Power Apps allow you to create your own controls to suit your application’s specific needs. It gives you a chance to build controls end-to-end – from user interactions to the backend logic. You would use custom controls when the existing pre-built ones do not serve your specific requirements.
In conclusion, deciding when to use these different controls in your Power Apps application comes down to understanding the functionalities they provide and mapping that to your application requirements. It’s all about picking the right tool for the job and knowing how they can be used together to build comprehensive and interactive apps. Happy app making with the PL-100 Microsoft Power Platform App Maker!
Practice Test
True or False: Buttons can be used to navigate between screens in Power Apps.
- True
- False
Answer: True
Explanation: Buttons in Power Apps can indeed be used to navigate between screens. They often hold important functionalities like Submit, Save, or Next.
In Microsoft Power Platform, images are primarily used for displaying graphic content only.
- True
- False
Answer: False
Explanation: Even though the primary use of images is to showcase graphic content, they can also be used as buttons or merely decorative purposes.
Multiple select: Which of these can be used to gather inputs from users in Power Apps?
- a) Galleries
- b) Labels
- c) Input controls
- d) Custom controls
Answer: a) Galleries, c) Input controls, d) Custom controls
Explanation: Galleries, input controls, and custom controls can all be used to gather inputs from users. Labels are just used for displaying text or data.
Single select: What is the main purpose of using forms in Microsoft Power Platform Apps?
- a) Display images
- b) Collect user input
- c) Navigation
- d) Bind data
Answer: b) Collect user input
Explanation: Forms are mainly used to collect user input in a structured manner. They provide an interface where users can input data.
True or False: Custom controls in Power Apps are used to display text.
- True
- False
Answer: False
Explanation: Custom controls in Power Apps are used to extend the capabilities of standard controls. They provide more flexibility and can serve various purposes beyond just displaying text.
Single select: What is the primary use of labels in Microsoft Power Apps?
- a) Navigation
- b) Display text or data
- c) Collect user input
- d) Bind data
Answer: b) Display text or data
Explanation: Labels in Power Apps are used primarily to display text or data. They allow information to be presented in a readable format.
True or False: Galleries in Power Apps are used to display a collection of items.
- True
- False
Answer: True
Explanation: Galleries are indeed used to display a collection of items in Power Apps. They provide a flexible way of showcasing a list to the user.
Single select: What is the primary use of input controls in Power Apps?
- a) Display images
- b) Collect user input
- c) Navigation
- d) Bind data
Answer: b) Collect user input
Explanation: Input controls are primarily used to collect user input in Power Apps, which allows for interactive user engagement.
Multiple select: Which of these can be used for navigation in Power Apps?
- a) Forms
- b) Buttons
- c) Galleries
- d) Custom controls
Answer: b) Buttons, c) Galleries, d) Custom controls
Explanation: Buttons, galleries, and custom controls can all be used in Power Apps for navigation. They can be programmed to take specific actions, including navigating between screens.
True or False: Forms in Power Apps are only used for input of text data.
- True
- False
Answer: False
Explanation: Forms are not just limited to text input; they can be used to input various data types, including numbers, dates, and options in checkboxes or radio buttons.
Interview Questions
What is the primary use of forms in Microsoft Power Platform App Maker?
Forms in Microsoft Power Platform App Maker primarily used to display, create or edit records.
When is it recommended to use galleries in Microsoft Power Platform App Maker?
Galleries are used when a user needs to display a list of records or a collection of items. It allows users to structure and format a variety of data templates.
What are the uses of a button in Microsoft Power Platform App Maker?
Buttons are used for the execution of specific actions when clicked or tapped by a user. They can invoke formulas which may consist of complex operations or navigations.
How are labels used in Microsoft Power Platform App Maker?
Labels are used to display non-editable text in your app. They are typically used for app instructions, captions on forms, or titles.
When are input controls utilized in Microsoft Power Platform App Maker?
Input controls like Text input, Dropdown, Date picker are used when you want to collect or edit data from the user.
In what scenario will the use of images be most appropriate in Microsoft Power Platform App Maker?
Images are best used in scenarios where visual representation is needed. This can include providing visual instructions, displaying logos, product images, user avatars or any other form of picture data.
How are custom controls used in Microsoft Power Platform App Maker?
Custom controls are used when the in-built controls do not meet specific requirements. Custom controls enable app makers to design and implement their own, tailor-made user interfaces.
What is the main purpose of the Button control in Microsoft Power Platform App Maker?
The main purpose of the Button control is to initiate actions, such as saving data, navigating to another screen, or starting a flow.
In what cases would we use input controls in Microsoft Power Platform App Maker?
Input controls can be used whenever the designer needs to allow the user to submit information. For example, Text Input control can be used to create a form where users can enter or modify data.
When would forms be the preferable option to display data in Microsoft Power Platform App Maker?
Forms are preferable when the designer needs to display, create, or edit a single record from a data source. It automatically displays fields of the record in a user-friendly layout.
When would galleries be the best option to display data in Microsoft Power Platform App Maker?
Galleries are best used when the designer needs to view multiple records from a data source simultaneously. They can display information in a list or grid format.
What do labels primarily provide in Microsoft Power Platform App Maker?
Labels primarily provide a way to display static text that users are not intended to edit.
Why should we use images in Microsoft Power Platform App Maker?
Images help to enhance the user interface of the app, making it visually appealing and intuitive. They can be used to represent data in a pictorial form, provide help to users, or display logos and icons.
When should we use custom controls to design apps in Microsoft Power Platform App Maker?
Custom controls should be used when designers have unique requirements that cannot be fulfilled by the in-built control options. Custom controls allow designers to build a specific functionality into the user interface.
When would you use a button in a form in Microsoft Power Platform App Maker?
A button in a form can be used for various functions such as submitting the form data, resetting the form, or to navigate the user to a different screen or flow once the form has been filled.
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