Summary

Within this chapter, we have explored the close relationship between SharePoint and PowerApps, and the way that PowerApps can greatly enhance the way that you work with data. First of all, we explored how we can create an app directly from SharePoint, which is different from how we created apps in previous chapters, either from blank or from a template. This is especially useful if you are concentrating on getting your underlying data correct first before starting to develop the app itself. Just remember that not all of the data types within SharePoint will map automatically into your PowerApp form, so complex data types such as managed metadata or new data types such as location will be created but will be read-only.

Also, when generating apps from SharePoint, keep in mind that it will generate an app based on the mobile canvas, so if you need a tablet canvas, then you'll need to create that from blank and select SharePoint as the data source.

We also looked at how we can use SharePoint to customize forms that are used directly within SharePoint, for example, the new form or edit form. These forms are created in SharePoint within form controls, which are then referenced internally by SharePoint. They can contain logic, styling, and controls in addition to that which you get from the auto-generated app. By publishing back to SharePoint, your users will now be able to take advantage of a much richer add and edit experience.

In the next chapter, we will see how the publishing of the app takes place on different platforms.