Power Platform utilizes Microsoft Dataverse, which uses Tables to keep and manage data. Each table offers multiple rows of data, and each record could have the same or different data types. For example, we could have a contact table that holds the data for various contacts, with attributes like Name, Email, PhoneNumber, etc.
| Contact | Name | PhoneNumber | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Contact 1 | Stephen Smith | ssmith@example.com | 123-456-789 |
| Contact 2 | Mary Johnson | mjohnson@example.com | 987-654-321 |
| Contact 3 | Richard Davis | rdavis@example.com | 456-789-123 |
Configuring Table Options
In Power Platform, you can choose to create a new table or modify an existing one.
Creating a New Table:
- Navigate to Data > Tables on the left navigation pane.
- Click on “+ New Table”.
- Specify the ‘Display Name’ & ‘Plural Name’.
- Click “Create”.
Modifying an Existing Table:
- Select the table you want to modify from the Tables pane.
- Click on the ‘Columns’ tab to add, modify or remove columns.
- Click “+ New Column” to add a new column. Provide details like ‘Display Name’ & ‘Data Type’.
Creating Relationships
You can establish relationships between different tables in Power Platform.
- Select the table and navigate to the ‘Relationships’ tab.
- Click on “+ New Relationship”.
- Select the relationship type: ‘OneToMany’, ‘ManyToOne’, or ‘ManyToMany’.
For example, if contacts can belong to different companies, and a company can have one or more contacts. Here, you’d select a ‘OneToMany’ relationship from the company to contacts.
Defining Keys
Keys in the Power Platform are used to uniquely identify a row across tables. To define a key:
- Select the table and go to the ‘Keys’ tab.
- Click on “+ New Key”.
- Define your key by specifying the ‘Name’, ‘Display Name’, and ‘Key Type’.
Take note that enabling alternate keys ensures that the system prevents duplicate data.
Creating Views
Views in Power Platform represent different ways to visualize your data.
- Navigate to ‘Views’ from your table.
- Click on “+ New View”.
- Specify the ‘Name’ and start configuring it with ‘Columns’ & ‘Sort By’ options.
Configuring Forms
Forms offer a way to insert and modify data in your tables.
- Navigate to ‘Forms’ from your table.
- Click on ‘+ New Form’.
- Drag-and-drop fields onto your form from the right-hand panel.
In conclusion, configuring table options with views, forms, keys, and relationships is a key skill for any Power Platform Developer. Deep understanding of these concepts will be instrumental in passing the PL-400 exam. Practice and repetition is recommended to familiarize yourself with the process, leading to more effective and efficient use of the Power Platform for your solutions.
Practice Test
True or False: You can configure table options in the Power Apps interface.
- True
- False
Answer: True
Explanation: You can use Power Apps to adjust table options, including field information, view settings, chart options, and more.
What table display options are available when configuring table options in Microsoft Power Apps?
- A) grid
- B) list
- C) chart
- D) all of the above
Answer: D) all of the above
Explanation: Microsoft Power Apps offers several ways to display table data including grid, list, and chart views.
True or False: You cannot filter data by custom conditions in Power Apps.
- True
- False
Answer: False
Explanation: With Power Apps, you can filter table data based on a variety of built-in conditions and you can also define custom filter conditions.
Which of the following entities can be filtered in table options?
- A) Forms
- B) Views
- C) Records
- D) Charts
Answer: B) Views
Explanation: Views are used to filter and display specific subsets of entity records.
True or False: You cannot rename a table once it’s been created.
- True
- False
Answer: False
Explanation: You can rename a table after it’s been created by going to Power Apps > Data > Tables.
How many views can be created in a table in Microsoft Power Apps?
- A) 5
- B) 10
- C) 15
- D) Unlimited
Answer: D) Unlimited
Explanation: There’s no limit to the number of views that can be created in a table. However, managing a reasonable amount can be beneficial for performance.
The primary field in a table is a mandatory field.
- A) True
- B) False
Answer: A) True
Explanation: The primary field (also called the primary column) of a table is mandatory and is used in the default views and lookup fields.
Which of the following options are a part of Column behaviors in Power Apps?
- A) Searchability
- B) Auditing
- C) Field Requirement
- D) All of the above
Answer: D) All of the above
Explanation: All of these choices are examples of column behaviors in Power Apps that affect how a column functions within a table.
You can’t set the width of columns in list views in Power Apps.
- A) True
- B) False
Answer: B) False
Explanation: You can set the width of columns when you’re setting up list views in Power Apps.
True or False: You can’t configure a table option to display related data in Microsoft Power Apps.
- True
- False
Answer: False
Explanation: In Microsoft Power Apps, one of the table options is to display related data from another table.
Deleting a table in Power Apps will also permanently delete the data in it.
- A) True
- B) False
Answer: A) True
Explanation: Consider exporting or backing up data before deleting a table, because once a table is deleted, the data it contains is also permanently removed.
You cannot import or export data in Microsoft Power Apps.
- A) True
- B) False
Answer: B) False
Explanation: Import and export of data can be done through the Power Apps interface using Excel or other supported data sources.
Filters in tables can be saved for future use.
- A) True
- B) False
Answer: A) True
Explanation: Once you apply filter(s) to a table view, you can save it as a new view. This new view can be accessed anytime in the future.
Cascading policies apply to which type of relationships in tables?
- A) One-to-many
- B) Many-to-one
- C) Both of the above
- D) None of the above
Answer: A) One-to-many
Explanation: Cascading policies apply to one-to-many relationships. They define the actions that should be taken with related records when the parent record is changed.
In table options, you can hide tables that are not relevant to users.
- A) True
- B) False
Answer: A) True
Explanation: The table’s visibility can be controlled through table options, making it possible to hide any irrelevant tables from users.
Interview Questions
What tool is primarily used to configure table options in Microsoft Power Platform?
The primary tool used for configuring table option is the Power Apps portal.
Can you define what environment tables are in the context of Power Platform?
Environment tables in Power Platform are database tables used to store data.
Where can the features of a table be customised in Microsoft Power Platform?
The features of a table can be customised in the Tables section under Data from the left-hand navigation pane in Power Apps portal.
What does defining a new table involve?
Defining a new table involves specifying its name and display name, providing a suitable description, and selecting whether to enable attachment and auditing for the table.
How many types of fields does Power Platform support?
Power Platform supports different types of fields including Single Line of Text, Option Set, Two Options, Whole Number, Decimal Number, Date and Time, Lookup and more.
Can you turn off the auditing feature from a table once it’s enabled?
Yes, the auditing feature can be turned off from a table once it’s enabled.
In which situation would I use the ‘Two Options’ field type?
The ‘Two Options’ field type is used when you need to store binary choices, such as yes/no or true/false.
What is a system view within the context of Power Platform?
A system view in Power Platform is a pre-defined table view that is available for all users.
How to make a table available in mobile offline mode?
From the General settings tab for a table, under ‘Mobile Settings’, you need to check the ‘Enable for mobile’ box. Next, from the Offline settings section, check the ‘Enable for mobile offline’ box.
Can a custom table be created in Power Platform?
Yes, a custom table can be created in Power Platform by using the ‘New Table’ command in the Tables section.
What is the significance of ‘Primary Name’ in a table of Power Apps?
The ‘Primary Name’ is a mandatory field in a table, and is used as the default field that represents a record in the table.
What is an ‘Entity’ in the context of Power Apps?
In Power Apps, an Entity refers to a table that is used to model and manage business data.
Can we delete a field that is part of a relationship with another table?
No, deleting a field that is a part of a relationship with another table is not possible. The relationship needs to be deleted prior to deleting the field.
Can the display name of a table be changed after its creation in Power Platform?
Yes, the display name of a table can be changed after its creation in Power Platform.
Where can components be added to a table in Power Platform?
Components such as forms, views and charts can be added to a table by clicking on the ‘Components’ tab from the table’s Setting page.
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