They play an essential role in building a user interface that is not only functional, but also visually pleasing to the user.
In Microsoft Power Platform, configuring a custom page stands as a way to customize your apps to suit your business needs. A custom page enables you to have full control over the layout, allowing you to combine components such as tables, forms, and buttons in a way that brings out the best user experience.
Standard Pages vs. Custom Pages
Before delving into custom pages, it’s important to understand the difference between standard pages and custom pages.
Standard Pages are generated by the system, and they are based on the entities and forms that define the app. On the other hand, Custom Pages are designed by users, giving them more control over the page layout and design. These can be built from scratch or from page templates.
Standard Pages | Custom Pages | |
---|---|---|
Definition | Generated by the system based on entities and forms | Developed by the user |
Flexibility | Quite rigid, with limited customization options | Highly flexible, with more latitude for customization |
Ease of Use | Easier to set up but less fine-tuned | More fine-tuned but requires more effort upfront |
Steps to Configure Custom Pages
1. Creation of a Custom Page
To create a custom page, navigate to the “Pages” node in the tree view of the maker portal, select it, and click on the “New Page” button. You’ll see an array of options for different custom page types. Opt for the “Custom” page type.
2. Defining the Layout
Here, you have the opportunity to define your page’s layout to provide an optimal user experience. A layout container acts as a scaffold to structure, align, and distribute other components such as text, buttons, and images.
3. Adding Components
Components such as text boxes, images, and buttons can then be added to the custom page to fulfill its intended functionality. These components can easily be dragged and dropped onto the page, where they can be customized to match the look and feel of the app.
4. Binding Data
Every custom page is ultimately designed to present some form of data to the user. To achieve this, you can bind the data components to either static data or data from the Dataverse.
Examples
A common use case for custom pages is creating a dashboard for an app. In this example, the custom page combines several different components, including a navigation bar, various cards displaying key metrics, and a data table that pulls from the Dataverse.
Keep in mind that configuring custom pages requires a foundational knowledge of how to utilize Power Platform’s tools effectively. Once mastered, however, creating custom pages can significantly elevate the user experience of your apps, allowing for greater usability and appeal.
Overall, understanding the configuration and creation of custom pages is a crucial part of the PL-200 Microsoft Power Platform Functional Consultant exam. By grasping these skills, you will be better equipped to create highly customized, visually appealing, and functional apps for your business needs.
Practice Test
True or False: Custom pages in Microsoft Power Platform can be configured using Power Apps.
- True
- False
Answer: True
Explanation: Power Apps is a Microsoft tool used for creating, customizing, and sharing business apps, including the configuration of custom pages in the Microsoft Power Platform.
Custom Pages are site-independent.
- True
- False
Answer: False
Explanation: Custom Pages are associated with a particular Microsoft Power Platform environment or site.
What do you require to configure custom pages in Microsoft Power Platform?
- A) Power Apps
- B) Power Automate
- C) Power BI
- D) Power Virtual Agent
Answer: A) Power Apps
Explanation: Custom pages are configured using the Power Apps, which allows users to create and customize business applications.
Which of the following cannot be done with custom pages in Microsoft Power Platform?
- A) Adding branding and navigation
- B) Creating workflows
- C) Displaying external web content
- D) Personalized forms and views
Answer: B) Creating workflows
Explanation: Workflows in Power Platform are created using the Power Automate, not through custom pages in Power Apps.
Custom pages can be built from a variety of data sources in Power Platform. True or False?
- True
- False
Answer: True
Explanation: Custom pages in Power Apps support a variety of data sources embedded within the Power Platform.
Which of the following features can be configured from custom pages in Power Apps?
- A) Display screens
- B) Dashboards
- C) Entities
- D) All of the above
Answer: D) All of the above
Explanation: Power Apps allows the configuration of display screens, dashboards, and entities from custom pages within the Power Platform.
True or False: You can create custom pages for a specific group of users with specific roles in Power Apps.
- True
- False
Answer: True
Explanation: Power Apps allows for role-specific customization of pages which can be made visible to a particular group of users.
Can you add custom pages to model-driven apps in Power Platform?
- A) Yes
- B) No
Answer: A) Yes
Explanation: You can add custom pages to model-driven apps to create a more customized user experience.
True or False: It’s necessary to have coding skills to configure custom pages in Power Platform.
- True
- False
Answer: False
Explanation: Power Apps offers a low-code/no-code environment for creating and customizing business applications, including custom pages.
True or False: You can add both pre-built components and custom-built components to a custom page in Power Apps.
- True
- False
Answer: True
Explanation: Power Apps supports the addition of both pre-built components and custom crafted components to deliver a tailored user experience.
Which of the following is not a way to share custom pages in Power Apps?
- A) Via a URL
- B) Via email
- C) Via a QR Code
- D) Via FTP
Answer: D) Via FTP
Explanation: Power Apps does not support FTP sharing of custom pages.
Which Microsoft tool is used for automating actions between custom pages in Power Platform?
- A) Power Apps
- B) Power Automate
- C) Power BI
- D) Power Virtual Agent
Answer: B) Power Automate
Explanation: Power Automate is a Microsoft tool that allows automating workflows between applications in the Power Platform, including between custom pages.
True or False: Custom pages in Power Apps can interact with data stored in Dataflex Pro.
- True
- False
Answer: True
Explanation: Custom pages in Power Apps can take advantage of both standard and custom entities from Dataflex Pro, allowing the creation of highly readable, interactive experiences with your data.
Who can access custom pages in Power Apps?
- A) Only Power Apps users
- B) All users within the organization
- C) All Microsoft Office 365 users
- D) All of the above
Answer: D) All of the above
Explanation: Custom pages in Power Apps can be accessed by anyone within the organization, provided they have the necessary permissions. This includes all Microsoft Office 365 users.
True or False: Custom pages cannot be integrated with on-premise data in Power Apps.
- True
- False
Answer: False
Explanation: By using the on-premise data gateway, custom pages in Power Apps can connect to your on-premise data.
Interview Questions
What is the first step in configuring a custom page on the Microsoft Power Platform?
The first step in configuring a custom page on the Microsoft Power Platform is to navigate to the app settings in Power Apps and select the ‘Custom Pages’ option to start the setup.
What’s the maximum number of components that can be used on a single custom page in Power Apps?
A single custom page in Power Apps can contain up to 100 components.
Are custom pages available in all Power Apps environments?
Custom pages in Power Apps are only available in environments that have been updated to the Unified Interface.
What are the different layout types available for custom pages in power apps?
There are two types of layouts available for custom pages in power apps: Header, main, left, right layout and Header, main, footer layout.
Can you set permissions to restrict access to specific custom pages in Microsoft Power Platform?
Yes, you can set permissions on custom pages to restrict access based on a user’s role or access level.
Can you link to a custom page from another part of the app in Power Apps?
Yes, you can link to a custom page from any other part of an app using the ‘Navigate to a page’ function in Power Apps.
How can you embed a custom page in a Power Apps app?
You can embed a custom page in a Power Apps app using the ‘Embed’ function and specifying the URL of the custom page.
Can a custom page be used across multiple apps in Power Apps?
Yes, once a custom page is created, it can be used across multiple apps in Power Apps.
What is the purpose of using custom pages in Power Apps?
Custom pages in Power Apps are used to create user-friendly interfaces with personalized content and layout.
Can you connect a custom page to a data source in Power Apps?
Yes, you can connect a custom page in Power Apps to any data source that is available in the environment.
How can you edit an existing custom page in Power Apps?
You can edit an existing custom page in Power Apps by navigating to the ‘Custom Pages’ option in app settings and selecting the page you want to edit.
Can you preview a custom page before publishing it in Power Apps?
Yes, once you have created a custom page in Power Apps, you can preview it by clicking the ‘Preview’ button before publishing it.
Can you delete a custom page from a Power Apps app?
Yes, you can delete a custom page from an app in Power Apps from the ‘Custom Pages’ option in app settings.
What happens when you delete a custom page from a Power Apps app?
When you delete a custom page from a Power Apps app, the page is removed from the app and any links to the page within the app will no longer work.
Can you duplicate a custom page in Power Apps?
No, currently Microsoft Power Apps doesn’t support directly duplicating a custom page. You need to manually create a new custom page with similar attributes.