Power Apps: Dynamic Column Descriptions

Key insights

• Dynamic Column Descriptions in Power Apps forms allow you to show helpful information for each field, making forms easier to use and reducing confusion for users.
  
• Metadata Storage is used to keep column descriptions within data sources like SharePoint or Dataverse, so that these details can be retrieved and displayed automatically in your app.
  
• You can retrieve column descriptions programmatically by using the SharePoint REST API or Dataverse Web API, ensuring that the most up-to-date information appears next to each form field.
  
• Power Fx formulas help display descriptions dynamically. For example, a label’s text property can pull the correct description based on the selected column or user context.
  
• This approach improves User Guidance, reduces training needs, and ensures consistency across all users by providing clear instructions directly within the form interface.
  
• The new method supports Context-Aware Descriptions, where guidance changes based on user role, form mode (edit/view/new), or specific data, creating a smarter and more responsive user experience.
  

Enhance Power Apps Forms with Dynamic Column Descriptions: A Closer Look at Reza Dorrani’s YouTube Tutorial

Introduction to Dynamic Column Descriptions in Power Apps

Power Apps has become a leading tool for organizations seeking to streamline business processes with custom apps. However, despite its robust features, one notable limitation has been the lack of automatic column descriptions in Canvas Power Apps forms. While SharePoint and Dataverse forms natively show helpful field details, Canvas apps do not, leaving users without crucial context during data entry.

In a recent YouTube video, expert Reza Dorrani addresses this gap by demonstrating how to dynamically retrieve and display column descriptions from both SharePoint lists and Dataverse tables. This enhancement promises to improve usability and reduce confusion, especially for those unfamiliar with specific data requirements.

Key Benefits of Dynamic Descriptions

One of the main advantages of integrating dynamic column descriptions is the improved guidance for end-users. By providing real-time, contextual information next to each form field, users are less likely to make mistakes or omit necessary details. This not only increases data accuracy but also streamlines onboarding for new team members, as they can rely on in-app guidance rather than external documentation.

Additionally, dynamic descriptions allow for greater flexibility. The information shown next to each field can adapt based on factors like user role, form mode, or the specific data being entered. This adaptability ensures that forms remain relevant and helpful in a variety of scenarios, supporting both accessibility and consistency across the organization.

Technical Implementation: APIs and Power Fx

Reza Dorrani’s video details the technical steps required to achieve dynamic column descriptions. For SharePoint lists, he demonstrates using the SharePoint REST API to programmatically fetch column metadata, including descriptions. Similarly, for Dataverse tables, the Dataverse Web API is employed to retrieve field tooltips and other metadata. This approach eliminates the need for hardcoding or duplicating descriptions, ensuring that updates to column information are automatically reflected in the app.

Within Power Apps, these descriptions are displayed by configuring label controls or tooltips adjacent to each form input. Power Fx formulas play a vital role here, allowing makers to pull the appropriate description based on the context. For example, a simple lookup formula can retrieve the relevant text dynamically, while more advanced logic can tailor visibility and content based on user actions.

Challenges and Tradeoffs

While the benefits are significant, implementing dynamic column descriptions in Power Apps is not without challenges. One key consideration is the balance between automation and control. Automating the retrieval of descriptions ensures consistency, but it may require additional setup, such as maintaining a metadata table or integrating with external APIs. This can add complexity, especially in environments with strict security or data governance requirements.

Another challenge is ensuring that descriptions remain concise and clear. Overloading forms with too much information can overwhelm users, reducing the effectiveness of the guidance. App makers must therefore carefully design the UI to present helpful context without cluttering the interface. Furthermore, ensuring compatibility across different data sources—such as SharePoint and Dataverse—requires attention to the unique characteristics and limitations of each platform.

Impact and Future Directions

The approach highlighted in Reza Dorrani’s tutorial reflects a broader trend in low-code development: making applications more intuitive and self-explanatory. As Power Apps continues to evolve, features like dynamic column descriptions are likely to become standard practice, driving improved user experiences and greater adoption across organizations.

Looking ahead, makers can expect further enhancements in metadata management, richer formatting options for descriptions, and even tighter integration with platform updates. However, ongoing attention to usability and maintainability will remain essential to maximize the value of these innovations.

Conclusion

Reza Dorrani’s video offers a practical roadmap for anyone seeking to enhance their Power Apps forms with dynamic, context-sensitive descriptions. By leveraging APIs and Power Fx, organizations can deliver cleaner, more user-friendly forms that guide users effectively and reduce the learning curve. As with any new approach, careful planning and thoughtful design are key to balancing automation, usability, and maintainability in dynamic business environments.

Keywords

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