PowerApps Modern Controls Glitch: Fix Form.Unsaved Now!

Key insights

• PowerApps Modern Controls are user interface elements based on Microsoft’s Fluent design system, enhancing canvas apps with improved accessibility, user-friendliness, and performance.


• The video highlights a known issue where the Form.Unsaved property does not work as expected with modern controls, causing forms to appear unsaved even without changes.


• A practical workaround involves steps like reviewing default values, resetting forms on load using the ResetForm(FormName) function, and monitoring control properties to prevent false unsaved states.


• Benefits of Modern Controls: They offer design consistency aligning with Microsoft's Fluent design, enhanced accessibility following WCAG 2.1 standards, optimized performance for faster load times, and easy theming support.


• To enable modern controls in Power Apps: Open your app in Power Apps Studio, go to Settings > General, then toggle on Modern controls and themes under the Preview tab.


• Recommendation: Stay updated with official Power Apps forums and Microsoft announcements for patches or fixes related to the Form.Unsaved property issue. Regular updates of Power Apps Studio can also help address such problems.

Introduction to the PowerApps Modern Controls Bug

In a recent video, Steph Marshall delves into a significant issue affecting PowerApps users: the malfunction of the Form.Unsaved property when using modern controls. This problem, as highlighted in the video, showcases the discrepancies between modern and classic forms within PowerApps. Furthermore, Steph provides viewers with a practical workaround to ensure their applications continue to run smoothly despite this known bug from Microsoft. The video is particularly valuable for those who are building or maintaining PowerApps with modern controls, as it helps avoid potential pitfalls and enhances the reliability of the apps. The tutorial also invites feedback from viewers, encouraging them to share suggestions, questions, or ideas for future PowerApps tutorials.

Understanding Modern Controls in PowerApps

Modern controls in PowerApps are user interface elements based on Microsoft's Fluent design system. These controls were introduced to enhance the development of canvas apps, making them more accessible, user-friendly, and performant. They aim to provide a cohesive experience for end-users and include elements such as buttons, checkboxes, date pickers, and more, all optimized for modern theming and styling. To utilize modern controls in a canvas app, users need to open their app in Power Apps Studio, navigate to Settings > General, and toggle on Modern controls and themes in the Preview tab. This action refreshes the app, making modern controls available for use.

Benefits and Challenges of Modern Controls

Modern controls offer several benefits, including:

• Design Consistency: Aligns with Microsoft's Fluent design system, ensuring a consistent look and feel across applications.
• Accessibility: Built with accessibility in mind, complying with WCAG 2.1 standards.
• Performance: Optimized for faster load times and responsiveness.
• Theming Support: Easily customizable to match the app's desired aesthetics.

However, the transition to modern controls is not without its challenges. One significant issue is the malfunction of the Form.Unsaved property, which can lead to unintended form submissions or user prompts. This occurs because the form appears to have unsaved changes even when no modifications have been made.

Addressing the Form.Unsaved Property Issue

To address the Form.Unsaved property issue, Steph Marshall suggests several steps:

• Review Default Values: Ensure that form fields do not have default values that differ from their existing data, as this can trigger the Unsaved property to return true.
• Reset Form on Load: Implement a ResetForm(FormName) function when the form loads to clear any unintended unsaved states.
• Monitor Control Properties: Check the Default and Update properties of individual controls within the form to ensure they are correctly set and not causing false unsaved states.

These steps provide a practical workaround to mitigate the impact of the bug and maintain the functionality of PowerApps with modern controls.

Recommendations and Future Updates

As the Form.Unsaved property issue is recognized within the PowerApps community, it is advisable to monitor official PowerApps forums and Microsoft's update announcements for any patches or fixes addressing this behavior in modern controls. Regularly updating Power Apps Studio to the latest version can also help mitigate such issues. For more detailed information on modern controls and their properties, users are encouraged to refer to the official Microsoft documentation. By staying informed and proactive, PowerApps developers can continue to build reliable and efficient applications using modern controls.

Conclusion

Steph Marshall's video provides valuable insights into the challenges and solutions associated with using modern controls in PowerApps. By understanding the benefits and addressing the known issues, developers can enhance the reliability and performance of their applications. As PowerApps continues to evolve, staying informed about updates and community discussions will be crucial for developers seeking to leverage modern controls effectively.

Keywords

PowerApps Modern Controls Bug Form Unsaved Not Working Fix Solution Troubleshooting Guide