Create and use environment variables

Environment variables provide a flexible way for setting values that can be accessed across your program, in order to drive behavior or manage constants. They are particularly useful in Microsoft Power Platform Developer (PL-400) as they allow you to manage settings or parameters that are used across different parts of your application.

Part One: Creating Environment Variables

Creating environment variables in Power Platform is a straightforward process. Here is a step-by-step guide:

1. In your solution, navigate to the New button and select Environment Variable.
2. Enter the details for your environment variable. This includes the display name (the name shown in Power Apps), the name (the name used programmatically), data type, and optionally, a description.
3. Once you have filled in all the details, click Save.

Here is an example of an environment variable in Microsoft Power Platform:

{
"displayName": "Max entries",
"name": "maxEntries",
"defaultValue": "50",
"dataType": "number",
"description": "The maximum number of entries to retrieve from the database at once."
}

In this example, we’ve created an environment variable called Max entries, which we can use in our application to control how many entries we retrieve from the database at a time. This provides a flexible way to control such settings, as changing the value of the environment variable will change the behavior of our app wherever this variable is referenced.

Part Two: Using Environment Variables

To use an environment variable within your application, you refer to it by its name. The name is case-sensitive and must match exactly the Id value that was assigned when the environment variable was created.

Here is a sample code snippet for accessing an environment variable called maxEntries:

var maxEntries = Environment.GetEnvironmentVariable("maxEntries");

With that line of code, we’re assigning the value of the maxEntries environment variable to the variable maxEntries. This value can then be used wherever it’s needed in the code.

Best Practices with Environment Variables

Environment variables can help you manage and control different aspects of your application. Here are some best practices to keep in mind:

• Use Clear, Descriptive Names: The name of the environment variable should clearly indicate its purpose. This makes it easier for other developers to understand what the variable is used for.
• Keep Environment Variables Secure: Environment variables can be used to store sensitive information, such as API keys or database connections. Make sure these are kept secure and not exposed in the front-end.
• Use a Consistent Naming Convention: Having a consistent naming convention makes it easier to track and manage your variables. This could be something as simple as using camel case for all variable names.

Environment variables are a powerful feature that allows your applications to be more flexible and configurable. They’re easy to set up and use, making them a valuable tool on the PL-400 Microsoft Power Platform Developer exam.

Practice Test

True or False: Environment variables in Power Apps are used to store values that can be used across the app.

• True

Answer: True

Explanation: Environment variables are used to store values such as strings, numbers, or records that can be used throughout an app, increasing reusability and efficiency.

You need to restart the app after changing the environment variable in the Power App. True or False?

• True
• False

Answer: False

Explanation: Changes to environment variables get reflected immediately and there’s no need to restart the app.

In Power Apps, can environment variables be used to pass values between different screens in an app?

• True

Answer: True

Explanation: Environment variables are used in Power Apps to pass values between screens or to act as global variables.

In Microsoft Power Platform, which of the following data types can environment variables be used to store?

• A. Text
• B. Numbers
• C. Records
• D. All of the above

Answer: D. All of the above

Explanation: Environment variables in Microsoft Power Platform can be used to store various types of values like text, numbers or even whole records.

In Power Apps, environment variables can only store static values. True or False?

• True
• False

Answer: False

Explanation: Environment variables can store dynamic values, which can be changed programmatically during the execution of the app.

True or False: Environment variables in Power Apps are case insensitive.

• True

Answer: True

Explanation: Environment variable names are not case sensitive in Power Apps, meaning you can reference them in any combination of uppercase and lowercase letters.

Multiple select: Which of the following are valid uses of environment variables in Power Apps?

• A. Storing API keys or other sensitive data
• B. Acting as a global variable
• C. Passing values between screens
• D. Saving user settings for the app’s interface

Answer: A. Storing API keys or other sensitive data, B. Acting as a global variable, C. Passing values between screens, D. Saving user settings for the app’s interface

Explanation: All are valid uses of environment variables in Power Apps.

True or False: Environment variables can be used to replicate data across environments in Microsoft Power Platform.

• True

Answer: True

Explanation: Environment variables can be deployed through solutions, allowing for replicating data or settings across different environments.

Within Power Apps, you can create complex object types as values for environment variables. True or False?

• True
• False

Answer: False

Explanation: Power Apps supports only primitive types for environment variables such as string, number, boolean, etc.

True or False: You can only read from environment variables but cannot write into them in Power Apps.

• True
• False

Answer: False

Explanation: You can both read from and write into environment variables in Power Apps applications. This allows for dynamic data manipulation during runtime.

True or False: Both managed and unmanaged solutions deliver environment variables with default values.

• True

Answer: True

Explanation: Both managed and unmanaged solutions deliver environment variables with the defined default values, which provides a significant advantage for configuration management.

Which type of variable is best suited for providing default settings that can be changed as the app runs?

• A. Global variables
• B. Context variables
• C. Environment variables
• D. App variables

Answer: C. Environment variables

Explanation: Environment variables are perfect for providing reusable constants and default settings that can be changed as an app runs.

True or False: When you delete an environment variable, all its usage is automatically removed from the formulas where it has been used.

• True
• False

Answer: False

Explanation: Deleting an environment variable does not remove its usage in formulas. It will cause a reference issue, requiring manual correction.

You can secure sensitive data using environment variables by storing the data as a secret. True or False?

• True

Answer: True

Explanation: In Microsoft Power Platform, sensitive data can be secured by using the Environment Variable of the type ‘secret’.

For environment variables defined in a solution, when are the possible times to set the value?

• A. At the time of solution import
• B. During run-time of the app
• C. When the solution is being exported
• D. Both A and B

Answer: D. Both A and B

Explanation: Environment variables can be set during solution import and can also be changed during run-time, but not during the solution export.

Interview Questions

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