Power Apps Bug & Fix: Attachment Control

Key insights

• Power Apps Attachment Control is a tool that lets users upload, view, and manage files directly within custom apps built on Power Apps. It connects easily with data sources like SharePoint and Dataverse, making it simple to attach documents or images to records.


• Advantages: The control offers seamless integration for file uploads, improves user experience with an intuitive interface, allows customization (such as limiting file types), connects securely to various databases, and supports workflow automation triggered by attachments.


• How It Works: The control binds to an attachment field in your data source. Users can upload files from their device, see a list of attached files with options to preview or download, and delete attachments as needed—all within the app’s interface.


• Customization: Previously, users could copy the default attachment control from forms and reuse it in custom apps. This allowed them to connect the control to different collections or datasources for more flexible solutions.


• Recent Bug: A new bug appeared after updates retired the old formula bar in Power Apps. This caused issues when copying and rebinding attachment controls—resulting in errors like “BlobNotFound” or failed uploads—especially when using custom logic for file handling.


• Fixes & Workarounds: Solutions include manually updating how the attachment control binds to data (remapping columns such as Value and Id) and moving apps out of early release environments if possible. These steps help restore proper upload functionality until Microsoft releases an official fix.

Understanding the Power Apps Attachment Control

In a recent YouTube video, Shane Young [MVP] explores a critical bug affecting the Power Apps Attachment Control. This component is a staple for users who need to upload, view, and manage files within custom applications built on Microsoft’s Power Apps platform. Typically, the Attachment Control is embedded in scenarios where users must attach documents or images to records, such as in support cases or project requests. These attachments are then stored securely in backend databases like Microsoft Dataverse or SharePoint, ensuring easy access and data integrity.

The control is designed to offer a seamless experience by allowing direct uploads within the app, removing any dependency on external systems. For businesses, this translates to improved workflow efficiency and a familiar interface that mirrors the attachment features found in email clients or other productivity apps.

Key Advantages and Customization Features

One of the main strengths of the Attachment Control lies in its deep integration with various Microsoft and third-party data sources. Users benefit from a customizable tool that can be tailored to specific requirements, such as restricting file types, setting size limits, or adjusting the visual layout. Additionally, the control supports automation, enabling organizations to trigger business processes or approvals based on file uploads.

The flexibility extends to its technical foundations. The control binds directly to attachment fields within data sources, enabling straightforward operations like uploading, previewing, and deleting files. This direct binding ensures that attachments are closely tied to their respective records, streamlining data management and retrieval.

Technical Challenges and Recent Bug Discovery

Despite its robust design, the Attachment Control recently faced a significant setback. According to Shane Young, users attempting to copy and reuse the control from default forms into custom apps began experiencing failures. The core of the issue was related to updates in the Power Apps formula bar, which altered how the control interacted with data sources.

Previously, users could simply copy the control and rebind it to different collections, a process that allowed for rapid customization. However, after Microsoft retired the legacy formula bar, some of this flexibility was lost. The result was errors such as "BlobNotFound" and failed uploads, especially in apps relying on advanced or non-standard attachment scenarios. This change highlighted the tradeoff between introducing new features and maintaining backward compatibility.

Workarounds, Fixes, and Community Responses

In response to these challenges, the Power Apps community, led by experts like Shane Young, quickly sought solutions. One effective workaround involved manually adjusting the binding logic for attachment collections. Users found that by remapping or dropping specific columns—such as Value and Id—they could restore correct functionality and ensure the control pointed to the right file sources.

Another approach was to move affected apps to environments not participating in the early release cycle. This strategy sometimes resolved the issue, indicating that some bugs may be specific to preview or early-adoption environments. However, this comes with its own tradeoffs, as delaying updates could mean missing out on important new features or security enhancements.

Balancing Innovation with Stability

The recent bug with the Attachment Control underscores the ongoing challenge of balancing innovation with stability in low-code platforms like Power Apps. While introducing new capabilities and retiring legacy features is essential for progress, such changes can inadvertently disrupt established workflows. The experience serves as a reminder that platform updates should be carefully managed, and users must stay informed about potential impacts on their solutions.

Ultimately, the collaboration between Microsoft, MVPs like Shane Young, and the broader user community remains vital. By sharing discoveries, workarounds, and best practices, users can navigate these challenges and continue building effective, reliable business applications.

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