Managing versions of canvas apps is a critical competence for any aspirant of the PL-100 Microsoft Power Platform App Maker examination. Canvas apps in the Power Platform offer a hands-on, customizable platform for designing, building, and sharing business applications. It is a user-friendly platform that does not necessitate extensive coding expertise. However, given that multiple users often modify applications made with this platform, there is a necessity to manage the various versions of an app that may exist.
Why Version Management
If a modification fails or results in bugs, it is tedious and time-consuming to reverse the changes manually. Through version management, app makers can easily restore a previous version of the app, rectifying any unforeseen issues.
Moreover, version management enables you to capture snapshots of your app at various stages of development, allowing you to compare previous and current versions, understand the changes and differences made, and make better-informed decisions based on this history.
Identifying Different Versions
Every time you save your canvas app, a new version gets created. This version contains information about the date of creation, the author’s name, and a version number for easy identification. This system helps keep track of modifications across different versions of an application.
Managing Versions
To manage the versions, head over to the “Details” tab and click on “Versions.” Here, you will see a list of all versions of the application.
There are three primary actions you can perform on each version:
- Restore: Restoring a version will make it the current and active version of the app. Any changes made after that version were saved will be lost.
- Delete: This action permanently removes the version from the list. This cannot be undone.
- Publish: This makes the version available for users.
Here is a brief comparison of these actions:
| Action | Description |
|---|---|
| Restore | Returns the app to a previous state, losing subsequent modifications |
| Delete | Permanently removes the version, this action is irreversible |
| Publish | Makes the version available to users, ensuring they use the most recent, appropriate version |
When dealing with several versions, it’s important to note the versions are sorted by their last modified date. Therefore, the most recently saved version is always at the top of the list.
Microsoft recommends that before making significant changes to your app, consider saving a version of it for backup purposes. To do so:
- Visit the “File” menu.
- Choose “Save as.”
- Save it under a unique and significant name to prevent confusion with other versions.
Migrating Your App
There might be a situation when a stable version of an application needs to be moved, or migrated, to another environment. This is possible through the Power Platform’s “Export” and “Import” options.
- To export, go to the app’s listing in Power Apps, click on the “…” next to the app, and select “Export package.”
- After preparing the app package, you can download and import this package into the target environment using the “Import canvas app” option in the “Apps” tab.
In conclusion, mastering version management of Canvas Apps in the Microsoft Power Platform is a crucial competency for the PL-100 Microsoft Power Platform App Maker exam. Engaging with the practical nuances of version control not only prepares your theoretical foundation but also equips you with the necessary skills to manage your projects effectively and efficiently.
Practice Test
True or False: Once you delete an app version in canvas apps, you cannot restore it.
- True
- False
Answer: True
Explanation: Once an app version is deleted, you cannot restore it in Canvas Apps. Always double-check before deleting an app version.
You can manage versions of canvas apps on which of the following platforms?
- A. SharePoint
- B. Power Automate
- C. PowerApps
- D. Excel
Answer: C. PowerApps
Explanation: You manage versions of canvas apps via PowerApps, where you can create, restore, delete, and publish various versions of your app.
In managing versions of a canvas app, the ‘Publish’ function is used to:
- A. Save the app
- B. Make the app available to the team for use
- C. Update the app
- D. Delete the app
Answer: B. Make the app available to the team for use
Explanation: The ‘Publish’ function enables the app to be used by your team or organization, by making it available on the PowerApps platform.
True or False: It is possible to recover deleted versions of canvas apps.
- True
- False
Answer: False
Explanation: It is not possible to recover deleted versions of canvas apps. You should thus be very careful before deleting any version.
What does the ‘Restore’ option do in version management of canvas apps?
- A. It returns an app to a previous version
- B. It publishes the app
- C. It saves the app
- D. It deletes the app
Answer: A. It returns an app to a previous version
Explanation: The restore option lets you revert to a previous version of a canvas app.
How many versions of canvas apps can be stored?
- A. Ten
- B. Twenty
- C. Fifty
- D. No limit
Answer: D. No Limit
Explanation: There is no limit on the number of versions of canvas apps you can store. It’s essential for maintaining different iterations of your app.
True or False: You can edit an older version of canvas app without impacting the current published version.
- True
- False
Answer: False
Explanation: You cannot edit older versions directly. However, you can restore an older version, make changes to it and then publish it as a new version, which will then replace the current published version.
Which of the following operations can you do with a previous version of a canvas app?
- A. Delete
- B. Publish
- C. Both A and B
- D. None of the above
Answer: C. Both A and B
Explanation: With previous versions of a canvas app, you can either delete that version or restore and publish it replacing the current version.
True or False: A published version of a canvas app can be edited directly.
- True
- False
Answer: False
Explanation: A published version of a canvas app cannot be edited directly. One must make an unpublished copy, make edits, and then publish the new version.
Which version of the Canvas App is used when the app is opened from the PowerApps mobile app?
- A. The most recently saved version
- B. The most recently published version
- C. The oldest version
- D. None of the above
Answer: B. The most recently published version
Explanation: When the app is opened from the PowerApps mobile app, it’s the most recently published version of the app that is used, not the most recently saved version.
Interview Questions
What is the primary function of versioning in canvas apps?
Versioning in canvas apps primarily allows the app maker to save different versions of an app, facilitating the restore of older versions if needed, and providing a history of changes made to the app.
How can you save a version of a canvas app?
You can save a version of a canvas app by clicking on File > Save as > Save. This will save the current state of the app as a version.
How can you restore a previous version of a canvas app?
To restore a previous version of a canvas app, go to the app detail page, under Versions, select the version you want to restore, and click on Restore.
Can you delete versions of a canvas app?
Yes, individual versions of a canvas app can be deleted. However, the most recent version cannot be deleted.
Can you open or edit a previous version of a canvas app directly?
No, you cannot open or edit a previous version directly. Firstly, you have to restore it and then you can edit.
What’s the limit to the number of versions you can have for a canvas app?
You can have up to 500 versions for a single canvas app.
Can you name individual versions of a canvas app?
No, individual versions of a canvas app are automatically named, following the pattern AppName_VersionNumber.
Can you copy a version of a canvas app to create a new app?
Yes, you can copy a version of a canvas app to create a new app by using the Save as feature.
Is it possible to download versions of the canvas app?
Yes. You can download a version of the canvas app for backup, archival purposes, or to move it between environments.
Do you need specific permissions to manage versions of a canvas app?
Yes, you need appropriate permissions to not only manage the versions of a canvas app but also to publish apps.
How does published and unpublished versions of a canvas app differ?
A published version is the one that users see when they run the app. An unpublished version, on the other hand, contains all the changes that have been made and saved but not yet published.
Are deleted versions of a Canvas app recoverable?
No, once a version of a canvas app has been deleted, it can’t be recovered.
What happens when a canvas app reaches the maximum limit of versions?
When the maximum limit of versions (500) is reached, you’ll have to delete some old versions to create room for new ones.
What is the significance of the Publish feature in version control of canvas apps?
The Publish feature is significant as it makes an app available to all users. It saves the app’s current state and makes it the current published version.
What’s the role of the Power Apps’ version description feature?
The version description feature allows the app maker to add notes or details about the changes made in a particular version, supporting better version management.
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