Understanding and gaining expertise in the creation and modification of standard, activity, or virtual tables is vital for aspiring professionals appearing for the PL-200 Microsoft Power Platform Functional Consultant exam. These aspects cover a substantial part of the exam, and they help shape a key section of your functional consultant path.
Standard Tables
A standard table in Microsoft Power Platform is a database object that stores data in records (rows) and fields (columns). For instance, the Account table holds account records.
Creating a standard table involves the following steps:
- Go to Microsoft Power Platform admin center > Data > Tables.
- Click on ‘New Table’.
- Provide Name, Display name, Description and select Ownership as desired.
- Now, click on ‘Create’. In the column details section, add columns as required.
Modifying a standard table involves changing its schema or adding new columns, which can be done by:
- Navigating to the specific table.
- Selecting the column that needs modification.
- Implementing the changes and saving them.
Comparison: Standard vs. Custom Tables
| Standard Tables | Custom Tables | |
|---|---|---|
| What is it? | Predetermined by the system. | Created by users based on specific needs. |
| Flexibility | Not flexible-oriented, hard to modify. | Highly flexible, easy to modify. |
| Availability | Available with system default relations. | Users establish relations based on their needs. |
Activity Tables
An activity table in Microsoft Power Platform is a special category of standard table that holds information about tasks, deadlines, and events.
Creating an activity table is similar to a standard table with one key difference: in the ‘Table Behavior’ section, select ‘Activity’ instead of ‘Standard’.
Modifying an activity table is also identical to modifying a standard table. You navigate to the table to change its schema or add new columns.
Virtual Tables
A virtual table in Microsoft Power Platform lets you integrate external data sources with the common data service.
Creating a virtual table involves:
- In Microsoft Power Platform admin center, go to Data > Tables.
- Click on ‘New Table’.
- Check ‘Virtual’ in the ‘Table Behavior’ section and complete other fields.
- Click on ‘Create’ and add virtual columns as required.
Modifying a virtual table means changing its schema or adding new virtual columns.
Comparison: Standard (Physical) vs. Virtual Tables
| Standard (Physical) Tables | Virtual Tables | |
|---|---|---|
| Storage Location | Directly on the platform | External data sources |
| Data Integration | N/A | Required |
| Accessibility | High | Depends on external data sources |
As you review and practice these processes, remember they are core functionalities expected from a Microsoft Power Platform Functional Consultant. Make sure to further explore Microsoft documentation and hands-on exercises. This not only helps you ace the PL-200 exam but prepares you for the exciting functional consultant path.
Practice Test
True or False: Virtual tables allow you to work with data just like any other table, but that data originates from an external system.
- Answer: True
Explanation: Virtual tables contain metadata about the structure of data stored in external systems. You can manage and work with data in Power Apps as if it resides in Common Data Service.
Multiple Choice: Which among the following is not a goal of modifying standard tables?
- a) Improving performance
- b) Tailoring to specific business requirements
- c) Increasing storage size dramatically
Answer: c) Increasing storage size dramatically
Explanation: Modifying the standard tables aims to improve performance and tailor them to business requirements, it doesn’t necessarily aim to increase storage size.
Single Select: What purpose do activity tables serve?
- a) They store data from external systems
- b) They represent a task or action to be performed
- c) They only represent completed activities
Answer: b) They represent a task or action to be performed
Explanation: Activity tables are used to represent an action or task that needs to be performed in relation to other records.
True or False: Standard tables are provided by Microsoft and can’t be modified.
- Answer: False
Explanation: Standard tables on Microsoft Power Platform can be modified to tailor the system to specific business needs.
Multiple Choice: Virtual tables can be used with which of the following:
- a) Power Apps
- b) Power Automate
- c) Power BI
- d) All of above
Answer: d) All of above
Explanation: Virtual tables can be used with Power Apps, Power Automate, and Power BI to access data residing in external systems.
True or False: You cannot specify the primary name field of a standard table.
- Answer: False
Explanation: When creating a new standard table, you can specify the primary name field, which will be used throughout the system.
Single Select: Which one of the following is not a virtual table type?
- a) API data source
- b) Flow data source
- c) Azure data source
Answer: b) Flow data source
Explanation: Two types of virtual tables are API data source and Azure data source.
True or False: You can specify the ownership for standard tables in Power Apps.
- Answer: True
Explanation: Ownership determines which users and teams can access the records. It can be set while creating the standard table in Power Apps.
Multiple Choice: Which of the following can’t be done with activity tables?
- a) Modifying fields
- b) Adding new fields
- c) Deactivating the table
Answer: c) Deactivating the table
Explanation: You can modify and add fields in an activity table but the table cannot be deactivated.
True or False: Standard tables, activity tables, and virtual tables all have the same editing capabilities.
- Answer: False
Explanation: Different table types have different levels of modifications and restrictions. For example, fields can be added to standard and activity tables but not to virtual tables.
Interview Questions
1. How can you create a new standard table in Microsoft Power Platform?
To create a new standard table in Microsoft Power Platform, navigate to the Tables tab in the designer and select “New Table.” This will allow you to define the table’s schema and properties.
2. What are the key steps to modifying an existing standard table in the Power Platform?
To modify an existing standard table in the Power Platform, go to the Tables tab in the designer, locate the table you want to modify, and make changes to its schema, fields, or properties as needed.
3. How can activity tables be created or modified in the Power Platform?
Activity tables in the Power Platform can be created or modified by following the same process as standard tables, but ensuring that the table is designated as an activity table to enable specific functionalities related to activities.
4. What is a virtual table in Microsoft Power Platform, and how can it be created?
A virtual table in Microsoft Power Platform is a table that does not have a physical representation in the database but acts as a logical table. To create a virtual table, navigate to the Tables tab in the designer and select “New Table,” then choose the virtual table option.
5. Can relationships be established with virtual tables in the Power Platform?
Yes, relationships can be established with virtual tables in the Power Platform. Virtual tables can participate in relationships just like standard and activity tables.
6. How can you specify the primary key for a table in the Power Platform?
To specify the primary key for a table in the Power Platform, select the desired field in the table’s schema and set the Primary Key property to True.
7. What is the significance of defining indexes on tables within the Power Platform?
Defining indexes on tables in the Power Platform enhances query performance by allowing the database engine to quickly locate and retrieve specific rows based on indexed columns.
8. How can you add new fields to an existing table in the Power Platform?
You can add new fields to an existing table in the Power Platform by accessing the table’s schema in the designer, selecting the “New Field” option, and defining the properties of the new field.
9. What considerations should be taken into account when modifying a table schema in the Power Platform?
When modifying a table schema in the Power Platform, it is essential to consider the impact on existing data, relationships with other tables, and any downstream processes that rely on the table structure.
10. Is it possible to rename a table in the Power Platform once it has been created?
No, it is not currently possible to rename a table in the Power Platform after it has been created. However, you can create a new table with the desired name and migrate the data if needed.
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