Power Apps: How to build Editable Grid Gallery
Power Apps
Feb 3, 2025 5:25 PM

Power Apps: How to build Editable Grid Gallery

by HubSite 365 about Shane Young [MVP]

SharePoint & PowerApps MVP - SharePoint, O365, Flow, Power Apps consulting & Training

Citizen DeveloperPower AppsWhat's HotLearning Selection

Power Apps Gallery editable grid tutorial: parent-child data, row editing, collections, dropdowns, ForAll logic. #PowerApps

Key insights

  • Editable Grids in Power Apps allow users to modify data directly within a gallery, similar to Excel or SharePoint's Quick Edit mode. This feature enhances user interaction by streamlining data entry and editing processes.

  • The tutorial covers creating an editable grid using a Power Apps Gallery, focusing on understanding parent-child data relationships, enabling row editing, saving, and deleting functionalities.

  • The use of collections and the patch function is essential for storing and managing data efficiently within the app. It also includes adding new rows dynamically to improve user experience.

  • The guide demonstrates implementing dropdowns, visibility controls, and input validation to enhance functionality, ensuring that the app is both customizable and user-friendly.

  • Real-time updates to data sources such as SharePoint, Dataverse, SQL, or Excel are possible with this setup. The editable grid supports bulk data editing directly within the app.

  • The step-by-step process involves inserting a gallery connected to a data source, configuring it with text inputs for each field, setting default values from the data source, handling changes with the OnChange property, and implementing edit/save functionalities.

Exploring Power Apps Editable Grid Gallery with Shane Young

In a recent YouTube video, Shane Young, a Microsoft MVP, delves into the intricacies of creating an editable grid within Power Apps. This feature is particularly beneficial for those who are familiar with Excel or InfoPath repeating tables, as it allows for seamless data management directly within a gallery control. The video serves as a comprehensive guide, offering step-by-step instructions on implementing editable grids in Power Apps, enhancing app functionality, and improving user experience.

Understanding Editable Grids in Power Apps

Editable grids in Power Apps provide a dynamic way to manage data. Unlike traditional forms that require navigation to separate interfaces, editable grids allow users to modify data inline within a grid-like layout. This feature is akin to editing tables in Excel or using SharePoint’s Quick Edit mode. Shane Young emphasizes the ease and efficiency this brings to data management, allowing users to view and edit multiple records simultaneously. Key Features:
  • Inline data editing within a gallery.
  • Integration with various controls like text inputs, dropdowns, and date pickers.
  • Real-time updates to data sources such as SharePoint, Dataverse, SQL, and Excel.
  • Support for bulk data editing within the app.
Benefits:
  • Faster data entry without the need for separate forms.
  • User-friendly interface similar to Excel.
  • Customizable with conditional formatting, validation, and logic.
  • Time-saving by reducing clicks and navigation.

Creating an Editable Grid: Step-by-Step

Shane Young provides a detailed walkthrough on building an editable grid in Power Apps. This process enhances user interaction by allowing direct data manipulation within a gallery, streamlining data entry and editing processes. Steps to Create an Editable Grid:
  • Insert a Gallery: Navigate to the Power Apps interface and insert a vertical gallery. Connect this gallery to your desired data source, such as SharePoint, Dataverse, or Excel.
  • Configure the Gallery: Remove default controls like labels within the gallery template. Add text input controls corresponding to each field you want to make editable.
  • Set Default Values: For each text input control, set the Default property to the respective field from the data source. Example: Default = ThisItem.FieldName
  • Handle Data Changes: Use the OnChange property of each text input to update the data source when a user modifies the value. Example: OnChange = Patch(DataSource, ThisItem, {FieldName: TextInputControl.Text})
  • Implement Edit and Save Functionality: Introduce buttons or icons to toggle between view and edit modes. Use variables to manage the state of the gallery (editable or read-only). Provide a save button that, when clicked, submits all changes made in the editable grid.

Enhancing User Experience with Dynamic Features

One of the standout aspects of Shane Young's tutorial is the focus on improving user experience through dynamic features. By enabling row editing, saving, and deleting, users can manage data more effectively. Additionally, the implementation of dropdowns, visibility controls, and input validation ensures that data entry is both accurate and efficient. Moreover, Shane discusses the use of collections and the patch function to store and manage data. This approach not only simplifies data handling but also enhances the app's overall performance. By adding new rows dynamically, users can easily expand their data sets without disrupting the existing structure.

Understanding Parent-Child Data Relationships

A significant portion of the video is dedicated to explaining the mechanics of parent-child data relationships. This concept is crucial for developers looking to create complex data structures within their apps. Shane Young uses practical examples to illustrate how ForAll and other logic can be used to save data in parent-child relationships. By understanding these relationships, developers can build more robust applications that cater to specific business needs. This section of the video is particularly beneficial for those who are new to Power Apps or looking to enhance their skills in low-code development.

Addressing Challenges and Tradeoffs

While the benefits of editable grids in Power Apps are clear, Shane Young also addresses some of the challenges and tradeoffs involved in their implementation. For instance, while inline editing offers convenience, it may require additional logic to manage data integrity and validation. Moreover, balancing user experience with app performance can be challenging. As more features are added to enhance usability, developers must ensure that the app remains responsive and efficient. Shane provides insights into how these challenges can be mitigated through careful planning and execution. In conclusion, Shane Young's video on creating an editable grid in Power Apps is an invaluable resource for both beginners and experienced developers. By following his step-by-step guide, viewers can enhance their app functionality, improve user experience, and master the art of data management within Power Apps. As the demand for low-code solutions continues to grow, mastering these skills will undoubtedly prove beneficial for developers looking to stay ahead in the industry.

Power Apps - Unleash Creativity with Power Apps: Transform Your Canvas Apps with Editable Grid Galleries!

Keywords

Power Apps, Editable Grid, Canvas Apps, PowerApps Tutorial, Microsoft Power Platform, App Development, Low-Code Solutions, Interactive Grids