Creating an app from data is a core concept when working towards the PL-900 Microsoft Power Platform Fundamentals exam. The Power Platform, consisting of Power Apps, Power Automate, Power BI, and Power Virtual Agent, allows you to analyze data, act on it through apps, automate processes, and create virtual agents.
Microsoft Power Apps, in particular, is a service that allows you to build custom business applications without writing code or taking excessive development time. One of the crucial features is the ability to create an app directly from your data source. Whether your data resides in SharePoint, Excel, or a different system, Power Apps provides a streamlined development environment to pull that data into an app.
Creating an App from Data in SharePoint
SharePoint is one of the widely used data sources in Power Apps. Here is a simple example of how you can create an app from SharePoint data.
- Navigate to the Power Apps platform and choose the option ‘Create.’
- From the types of apps, choose ‘Canvas app from blank.’
- Complete the necessary fields, such as name or format, and then ‘Create.’
- Now you are in the Power Apps Studio. To add data from SharePoint, go to ‘View’ –> ‘Data sources’ –> ‘+ Add data source.’
- From the list, choose SharePoint and provide the necessary details of your SharePoint site.
- Power Apps will show the lists presented in your SharePoint. Choose the list that you want to use as the data source for your app.
The application is automatically generated with three screens: Browse Screen, Detail Screen, and Edit Screen.
Creating an App from Data in Excel
Excel is another common data source for Power Apps. Data stored within Excel files, ideally in a table format, can be pulled into Power Apps.
- Place your Excel file in a cloud-storage account like OneDrive for Business.
- Follow the same steps as above to create a new Canvas app.
- To add data from Excel, go to ‘View’ –> ‘Data sources’ –> ‘+ Add data source.’
- Choose ‘OneDrive for Business,’ find your Excel file, and choose the table that contains your data.
The Power Apps platform will automatically generate an app with your Excel data, including all the basic functionality you would need to navigate through the data.
What’s more, you can customize the app further as per specific business requirements. Power Apps offer an intuitive, user-friendly interface for app customization that ranges from layout changes to complex conditional business rules.
Overall, the ability to create applications from data in Microsoft Power Apps allows developers and non-technical users to rapidly transform business data into a functional application. This methodology can greatly accelerate digital transformation efforts within any organization.
Studying and understanding these concepts is crucial for the PL-900 Microsoft Power Platform Fundamentals exam, and having hands-on experience will bolster your confidence and ability to solve real-world scenarios.
Practice Test
True or False: Microsoft Power Platform allows users to build low-code, data-driven applications.
- True
- False
Answer: True
Explanation: Microsoft Power Platform is a solution that enables individuals or organizations to analyze data, automate processes, create virtual agents, and build solutions with low-code applications.
Which Microsoft Power Platform application allows you to create a business solution from data without any coding knowledge?
- A) Microsoft Flow
- B) Microsoft Power BI
- C) Microsoft Power Apps
- D) Microsoft Azure
Answer: C) Microsoft Power Apps
Explanation: Microsoft Power Apps allows anyone, regardless of their coding ability or background, to build business applications that connect to your data.
True or False: Creating an app from data in Microsoft Power Platform requires extensive software development experience.
- True
- False
Answer: False
Explanation: Power Platform’s low-code features allow even users without extensive software development experience to create applications.
Which of the following are essential components of Microsoft Power Platform? (multiple select)
- A) Power Apps
- B) Power Automate
- C) Power BI
- D) Google Sheets
Answer: A) Power Apps, B) Power Automate, C) Power BI
Explanation: Power Apps, Power Automate, and Power BI are all integral components of Microsoft Power Platform. Google Sheets is not a part of this package.
Which of the following is NOT a benefit of creating an app from data using Power Apps?
- A) Rapid application development
- B) Limited scalability
- C) Integration with Microsoft Tools
- D) Low-code platform
Answer: B) Limited scalability
Explanation: Using Power Apps to create an app from data provides benefits such as rapid application development, integration with Microsoft tools, and a low-code platform. However, limited scalability is not a benefit, as Power Apps supports extensive scalability.
True or False: Microsoft Power Platform does not support data analytics.
- True
- False
Answer: False.
Explanation: Microsoft Power BI, a part of Microsoft Power Platform, is designed specifically for data analytics.
Which aspect of Power Platform can reduce manual and repetitive tasks in your workflows?
- A) Microsoft Teams
- B) Power Automate
- C) Power BI
- D) Sharepoint
Answer: B) Power Automate
Explanation: Power Automate, formerly known as Microsoft Flow, can automate workflows across applications and services to reduce manual and repetitive tasks.
True or False: Power Apps Studio is a web-based, low-code interface to build custom applications.
- True
- False
Answer: True
Explanation: Power Apps Studio is indeed web-based and uses a low-code model, which makes it easy for everyone, regardless of their technical expertise, to build custom applications.
Which Power Platform tool is used for creating rich, interactive reports?
- A) Power BI
- B) Power Automate
- C) Power Apps
- D) Power Map
Answer: A) Power BI
Explanation: Power BI offers a comprehensive suite of analysis and visualization capabilities to design rich, interactive reports.
True or False: Microsoft Power Platform only supports data from Microsoft-based sources.
- True
- False
Answer: False
Explanation: Microsoft Power Platform can connect to numerous data sources, not just Microsoft-based sources, including SharePoint, Excel, SQL Server, and more.
Interview Questions
What is the first step in creating an app from data in Microsoft Power Platform?
The first step is to choose data from myriad sources whether it be Excel, SharePoint, or Dynamics 365.
How can the Power Apps studio assist in app creation?
The Power Apps studio assists by providing pre-built templates and an intuitive, visual design layout to easily assemble and customize an app.
What is the functionality of the PowerApps mobile app?
The PowerApps mobile app allows you to run apps that were created with Microsoft PowerApps. These apps can be shared within your organization, and can be accessed on a mobile device.
How can I share the app I created with others in my organization?
You can share your apps directly to your organization’s cloud or to specific people or user groups through the Power Apps platform.
What are Common Data Service (CDS) Entities?
Common Data Service (CDS) Entities are essentially the building blocks of your data model in the Power Platform. They are a set of records used to store data, similar to how tables store data within a database.
Is it possible to incorporate artificial intelligence into an app created with Power Apps?
Yes, Power Apps includes AI Builder, which allows users to incorporate artificial intelligence models into their apps for enhanced functionality.
What features are offered by Power Automate within the Power Platform?
Power Automate allows users to create automated workflows between apps and services. It enables users to automate repetitive tasks without coding.
How does Power BI relate to app creation in the Power Platform?
Power BI allows you to create dynamic and interactive reports or dashboards which can be embedded within your apps, enhancing the visual appeal and data interaction abilities of your apps.
Can you edit an app after it has been shared and used by others?
Yes, you can edit an app in Power Apps even after it has been shared. However, the changes will need to be saved and the app version will need to be updated.
Is it true that, in order to work with multiple datasets, we need to create multiple apps?
No, it’s not true. In Power Apps, you can create a single app that can interact with data from multiple sources.
What role does the Power Query play in the Power Platform?
Power Query within Power Platform enables users to connect, cleanse and transform diverse data for better accessibility and understanding.
What is the advantage of using a Common Data Model (CDM)?
The advantage of using Common Data Model (CDM) is standardization and interoperability of data. It provides a predefined schema that facilitates data consistency across different applications and deployments.
Can a Power App be accessed on any device?
Yes, a Power App can be accessed through a web browser or through its mobile app on Android and iOS devices.
Which programming language is typically used in Power Apps?
Power Apps uses a low-code, Excel-like language called Power Fx for most of its applications.
Can you use Common Data Service without Power Apps?
Yes, Common Data Service is a separate component of the Power Platform and can be used independently of Power Apps. However, it integrates smoothly with Power Apps for data utilization in app creation and customization.
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