Explore More Than Canvas Apps: Microsoft Power Platforms Suite
Power Platform
Dec 5, 2023 8:00 AM

Explore More Than Canvas Apps: Microsoft Power Platforms Suite

by HubSite 365 about Shane Young [MVP]

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

Citizen DeveloperPower PlatformPower SelectionLearning Selection

Unlock Full Power Platform Potential: Canvas Apps, Model-Driven Apps, Power Pages, Forms, Automate Flows, BI & More!

Stop just building Canvas Apps! The Power Platform has so many tools you can use for various business processes. You shouldn't limit your options when there are multiple applications at your disposal.

  • 0:00 Start
  • 2:14 What are Power Apps Canvas Apps
  • 4:50 What are Power Apps Model-driven Apps
  • 6:46 What are Power Apps Power Pages
  • 9:31 What are Microsoft Forms
  • 12:38 What are Power Automate Cloud flows
  • 14:54 What are Power Automate Desktop flows
  • 16:51 What is Power Automate Process Mining
  • 19:09 What is Power BI
  • 21:38 What is Copilot Studio or Power Virtual Agents

For example, Power Apps Canvas Apps, which were introduced at a timestamp of 2:14 in the video, offer a high level of customization. These applications enable the creation of unique user interfaces. This capability is excellent for meeting specific business requirements and enhancing user interaction.

Overview Power Platform

The Power Platform comprises a group of applications that transform business process automation and data analysis. Canvas Apps offer unmatched customization, while Model-driven Apps excel with their structured, data-centric approach. Power Pages enable the creation of interactive, data-driven sites, perfect for customer engagement.

Microsoft Forms simplifies the data collection process. Power Automate facilitates the creation of workflows, with options for both cloud and desktop environments. Process Mining provides valuable insights for process improvement, while Power BI offers in-depth analytics and business intelligence capabilities.

To round out the toolset, Copilot Studio and Power Virtual Agents employ AI to further streamline and enhance automation. The Power Platform equips businesses with the tools needed for comprehensive process control and improved decision-making, all through the accessible UI's and advanced technologies it provides.

Exploring Alternatives to Canvas Apps Within the Power Platform

Power Pages, mentioned at 6:46, are an innovation aimed at website development that communicates with data. User-friendly and versatile, Power Pages allow creating data-interactive websites perfect for customer engagement.

Microsoft Forms, described at 9:31, simplifies the process of designing forms for surveys and quizzes. This tool excels in collecting input and data from users efficiently, proving its worth in gathering insights and feedback.

As for automating workflows in the cloud, the video introduces Cloud flows at 12:38. These workflows can connect various services together to automate routine tasks, thereby improving operational efficiency without the need for complex coding.

When it comes to local automation, Desktop Flows take the stage at 14:54. They facilitate the automation of tasks on individual computers and can be especially beneficial for incorporating automation into older systems not designed for the cloud.

Stop just building Canvas Apps! The Power Platform has so many tools you can use for various business processes. You shouldn't limit your options when there are multiple applications at your disposal.

For example, Power Apps Canvas Apps, which were introduced at a timestamp of 2:14 in the video, offer a high level of customization. These applications enable the creation of unique user interfaces. This capability is excellent for meeting specific business requirements and enhancing user interaction.

Then, at 4:50, the content shifts to discussing Model-driven Apps, which are data-centric. Unlike Canvas Apps, these applications rely on a data framework to deliver their functionality, making them suitable for more complex use cases. They ensure data consistency and adapt the user interface to the data structure automatically.

Power Apps - Explore More Than Canvas: Unleash Power Platforms Suite

People also ask

What is the difference between model-driven and canvas apps?

Model-driven apps and canvas apps are two types of applications that can be created within Microsoft Power Apps. Model-driven apps are primarily data-driven and design is mostly determined by the underlying data model and the components included on the forms, views, and dashboards. They are used for complex scenarios with numerous forms, views, or entities. On the other hand, canvas apps provide a blank canvas where designers can create a user interface by dragging and dropping elements wherever they choose. Canvas apps offer a high degree of flexibility and customization in design, ideal for pixel-perfect applications. They're typically used for tailored apps that need a specific user-experience that is not necessarily tightly-bound to a data model.

What is canvas apps in Power Apps?

Canvas apps in Power Apps refer to custom apps where the app maker can design the user interface in a very flexible and fine-grained manner. Unlike the predefined layout in model-driven apps, canvas apps allow the creator to start with a blank canvas and create the UI by dragging and dropping elements onto the canvas, similar to creating a slide in Microsoft PowerPoint. This gives the app maker complete control over the aesthetics and experience of the app. These apps can connect to both Microsoft and various third-party data sources and services, and can be run on mobile devices, tablets, and web browsers.

How do I enable copilot in canvas app?

The term "copilot" is not a widely recognized feature or term in Power Apps as of my knowledge cutoff in 2023. If the term "copilot" represents a feature or plugin that has been introduced after this date, one would typically enable a new feature within a Power Apps canvas app by either utilizing built-in settings and features management pages or by adding and configuring a control or connector that provides the desired functionality. Ensure you are referring to the most recent documentation or announcements from Microsoft for guidance on enabling new features like a "copilot" in your specific context.

How can data sources be used with Power Apps canvas apps?

Data sources can be used with Power Apps canvas apps by connecting the app to various data services and storing information. Power Apps includes a broad range of built-in connectors for popular services like SharePoint, SQL Server, Office 365, Dynamics 365, and many other external services like Salesforce and Dropbox. Once a data connection is added to a canvas app, the app maker can use functions to interact with the data, such as creating, reading, updating, and deleting records. Data can also be manipulated and displayed within the app using controls like galleries, forms, and charts, which can be customized to reflect the app's design needs.

Keywords

Power Platform Tools, Canvas Apps Alternatives, Power Platform Capabilities, Power Automate Integration, Power BI Solutions, Power Apps Innovation, Power Virtual Agents, Power Platform Development, Power Platform Customization, Advanced Power Platform Applications