A canvas app or a cloud flow can be exported in two ways: Unmanaged and Managed.
- Unmanaged: The unmanaged export allows for modification of the canvas app or cloud flow after it has been imported into the new environment. It is perfect for development purposes while the app or flow is still not finalized.
- Managed: A managed export is read-only. Importing a managed solution prevents any modifications to be made on the canvas app or cloud flow. This type is ideal when deploying a finalized version of the canvas app or cloud flow.
To export a canvas app or a cloud flow, follow these steps:
- Navigate to make.powerapps.com or flow.microsoft.com, depending on what you want to export.
- Choose the appropriate environment.
- For a canvas app, go to Apps, select the app, and choose Export package. For a cloud flow, go to Flows, select the flow, and choose Export.
- Follow the instructions provided by the platform to complete the export process.
Importing a Canvas App or a Cloud Flow
Importing is almost as easy as exporting. Follow these steps:
- Navigate to make.powerapps.com or flow.microsoft.com, depending on what you want to import.
- Choose the appropriate environment.
- Go to the Apps or Flows tab.
- Select the Import button.
- Navigate to the package that was previously exported, and follow the instructions provided by the platform to complete the import process.
An important note when importing an unmanaged solution is that any changes made to the solution will not affect the original solution in its previous environment. For a managed solution, once imported, it cannot be altered.
Conclusion
Understanding how to export and import apps and flows not only allows for practical knowledge tested in the PL-10 Microsoft Power Platform App Maker certification but also contributes significantly to the digital automation of businesses leveraging Microsoft Power’s Platform. Whether you’re working in development or final deployment, knowing how to properly import and export within your solutions brings efficiency, autonomy and depth to your practical skill set.
While these explanations offer an overview, the Microsoft Power Apps and Power Automate documentation provides further technical details on the process, enhancing your understanding and expertise. Additionally, practicing these export and import processes in-app will prove beneficial to complement this theoretical knowledge. Always remember, practice makes perfect!
Practice Test
True or False: You can export a canvas app as a package or directly to the cloud.
- True
- False
Answer: True.
Explanation: Canvas apps can be exported both as a package or to the cloud directly.
Can you modify the package contents during the export in Power Platform?
- Yes
- No
Answer: No.
Explanation: The package contents are fixed and cannot be modified during the export process.
Which file type is a canvas app exported as?
- A. .zip
- B. .app
- C. .csv
- D. .xlsx
Answer: A. .zip
Explanation: When you export a canvas app, it is downloaded as a .zip file.
True or False: You cannot perform an import action for flows in Power Automate.
- True
- False
Answer: False.
Explanation: You can import flows in Power Automate for an optimized experience of business processes and tasks.
When importing a canvas app, which of the following is avoided?
- A. Re-authentication
- B. Overwriting existing app version
- C. Updating app icon
- D. Re-creation of themed styles
Answer: B. Overwriting existing app version
Explanation: Importing a canvas app doesn’t overwrite an existing app unless it’s done by design.
True or False: A cloud flow must be turned off before it is exported.
- True
- False
Answer: True.
Explanation: To ensure data integrity and prevent the risk of data loss, a cloud flow must be turned off prior to being exported.
Before exporting a canvas app, you need to:
- A. Save it
- B. Publish it
- C. Edit it
- D. All of the above.
Answer: A. Save it
Explanation: A canvas app needs to be saved before it can be exported; publishing or editing it is not necessary for its export.
To export a cloud flow, you should navigate to:
- A. My flows on Power Automate
- B. Canvas app settings in Power apps
- C. Data connections in Power apps
- D. All of the above
Answer: A. My flows on Power Automate
Explanation: Exporting a cloud flow is done on the Power Automate platform, under My flows.
You cannot import a cloud flow if:
- A. You have modified the .zip file after exporting
- B. You have not modified the .zip file after exporting
- C. It has more than 10 actions
- D. It has less than 10 actions.
Answer: A. You have modified the .zip file after exporting
Explanation: Modifying the .zip file after exporting can result in issues, making it impossible to import the cloud flow.
To prevent overwriting, it is advisable to:
- A. Save the app before import
- B. Delete the old version before import
- C. Rename the app after import
- D. Create a copy of the app after import
Answer: C. Rename the app after import
Explanation: Renaming the app after importing prevents overwriting. A new version with a similar name could confuse users or result in accidental overwrites.
Interview Questions
What is the first step in exporting a canvas app?
The first step in exporting a canvas app is to navigate to the Power Apps portal, select Apps from the left navigation pane, and then pick the canvas app you want to export.
What is a cloud flow in Microsoft Power Platform?
A cloud flow is a type of automated workflow designed in Power Automate, a component of Microsoft Power Platform. It uses triggers and actions to automate tasks across multiple connected services.
What are the file formats used when importing or exporting a canvas app?
The file formats used when importing or exporting a canvas app are .zip files for importing and .msapp files for exporting.
In what format does a Power Automate flow gets exported?
A Power Automate flow gets exported as a .zip file, which contains a .json definition of the flow and related resources.
How can you share a cloud flow with other users?
You can share a cloud flow with other users by exporting the flow as a package, and then they can import that package into their own Power Automate environment.
Can you import a third-party app into the Power Apps Canvas App?
Yes, you can import a third-party app into the Power Apps Canvas App provided you have a .zip or .msapp file of that application.
Can a canvas app include flows?
Yes, a canvas app can include flows. If your app uses flows, they are bundled with your app when you export it.
Do you need any special permissions to export or import a canvas app or a cloud flow?
Yes, you need appropriate permissions such as ‘co-owner’ or ‘owner’ rights to export or import a Canvas App or a Cloud Flow.
Can connections in a flow be exported alongside the flow?
No, connections in a flow cannot be exported alongside the flow. When a flow is imported, the user needs to re-establish the connections used in the flow.
Can a flow that is a part of a solution be exported outside of the solution?
No, a flow that is part of a solution cannot be exported outside of that solution. The entire solution needs to be exported.
What happens to the version of the canvas app after it is imported?
After a canvas app is imported, a new version of the app is created effectively, ensuring the previous version of the app is available in the version history.
What are the main components included in the export package of a canvas app?
The main components included in the export package of a canvas app are the .msapp file, the Power Automate flow definitions, and any other related resources such as images, data connections etc.
Can you import a flow into an environment other than the one where it was exported?
Yes, you can import a flow into a different environment, but the user importing it will need to re-establish any connections the flow requires within that new environment.
Do Cloud Flows have versioning functionality similar to canvas apps?
No, cloud flows do not have versioning functionality like canvas apps. Each time you save or export a flow, it becomes the most recent version, and previous versions are not stored.
Can you undo an import operation in Power Apps?
No, import operations cannot be undone in Power Apps. Therefore, it is recommended to import only when necessary and keep backups of original apps or flows.
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