{Power 2020 Tip #14}Collections in Canvas App

January 27, 2020 deepeshsomani2013 Power Platform

Today as part of the Power 2020 series blog 14, we will try to understand Collections in Canva Apps.

Overview:

The collection is a pack of items and it creates a copy of the data source. By using collections, users can store and manage data in the canvas app. Collection returns a data source as a table.

Functions used in Collections:

Collect
Clear
ClearCollect

Collect:

The Collect function helps to add records in Collection.

Syntax:

Collect( DataSource, Item, …)

DataSource (Required) – Name of data source that you want to add data. If the data source is not available, a collection will be created.

Item(s)(Required) – Records or tables to add to the collection.

Clear:

The Clear function removes all the records from the collection. Only records will remove, columns will not be removed from the collection.

Syntax:

Clear( Collection )

Collection (Required) – Name of collection you want to remove.

ClearCollect:

The ClearCollect function is a combination of Clear and Collect functions. This function will remove all records from the collection and then add the records to the collection.

Syntax:

ClearCollect( Collection, Item, … )

Collection(Required) – Name of collection you want to clear and add records.

Item(s)(Required) – Records or tables to add to the collection.

By navigating View > Collection, you can see the collection.

Manage Collection in Your Canvas App:

§ Add a new gallery

§ Select Contact as data sourc

Hope it helps and Power 365ing as usual!

Any problem in Power Platform or Dynamics 365 – end user, Microsoft partner or an individual?

Problem Area – Technical, Functional, Training, Development or consulting?

I am here to help, get in touch here: Click here

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

{Power 2020 Video Blog# 1} PowerApps Best practices with Chris

January 23, 2020January 23, 2020 deepeshsomani2013 Microsoft Dynamics CRM

Today as part of the Power 2020 series , we will be discussing the PowerApps best practices with Chris – Power Platform PTA from Microsoft UK.

Subscribe to my Youtube channel here: https://www.youtube.com/powerofd365

Hope it helps and Power 365ing as usual!

Any problem in Power Platform or Dynamics 365 – end user, Microsoft partner or an individual?

Problem Area – Technical, Functional, Training, Development or consulting?

I am here to help, get in touch here: Click here

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

{Power 2020 Tip # 12}Navigate function in Canvas Apps

January 22, 2020 deepeshsomani2013 Microsoft Dynamics CRM

Often there is a requirement in Canvas Apps to navigate from one screen to another. Today as part of the Power 2020 series blog 12, we will be covering this concept.

Overview:

Navigate function is used to change the screen to be displayed from the current screen. By specifying the Navigate function on “OnSelect” property of the button, the user can change one screen to another. In the Navigate function, we can control screen transition, such as Fade, Cover, RightCover.

Syntax:

Navigate (Screen [, Transition [, UpdateContextRecord]])

Ø Screen (Required) – Name of the screen to display.

Ø Transition (Optional) – Visual transition between the current screen and new screen.

Ø UpdateContextRecord (Optional) – Record updates the context variable of the new screen.

Screen Transition Arguments:

ScreenTarnsition.Cover: The new screen covers the current screen, moving right to left.

ScreenTransition.Coverright: The new screen covers the current screen, moving left to right.

ScreenTransition.Fade: The current screen fades out to display new screen.

ScreenTransition.None(Default): The current screen suddenly changes to the new screen.

ScreenTransition.UnCover: It uncovers the new screen, moving right to left.

ScreenTransition.UnCoverRight: It uncovers the new screen, moving left to right.

Example:

Step 1: Create a blank Canvas app.

Step 2: Add two screens Screen1 and Screen2.

Step 3: Add a button to Screen1

Step 4: Type below formula on “OnSelect” property of the button

Step 5: Run the app and click Button, Screen2 will appear.

Hope it helps and Power 365ing as usual!

Any problem in Power Platform or Dynamics 365 – end user, Microsoft partner or an individual?

Problem Area – Technical, Functional, Training, Development or consulting?

I am here to help, get in touch here: Click here

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

{Power 2020 # 11} Feedback is a powerful tool for the community

January 21, 2020 deepeshsomani2013 Microsoft Dynamics CRM

One of the things which I occasionally write about is the non D365 and Power platform side of the house from time to time. In Blog 11 for Power 2020, I am focused to write on one such aspect of the Microsoft community. If you are just looking to have a D365 and Power platform related article, you may choose to stop reading here.

One of the things I see is When a typical professional is asked about how would you probably solve a problem on Dynamics 365 and Power platform. The answer would be I will search it on the internet or google it.

In case the solution is not found out there I will go out to Microsoft community and try to get an answer or solution. I might also occasionally connect with Industry experts and try to find a solution to the problem.

The end solution is typically found on a Blog or Video blog. So, today my focus is on appreciating all the awesome community folks who take time out to do those blogs and video blogs. As an active contributor to this ecosystem, I do understand that it takes an immense amount of personal time to be able to create content in any form – may it be in a written, video or audio format. I remember for instance for some of my videos, I have taken days for just editing the ones.

Sometimes what is saddening to see is Professionals will mention and occasionally like it on Social media about a particular article. Very seldom though, you will have feedback or comments in this regard to the article. In our quest to read a lot more and acquire quicker knowledge – somehow that probably takes too much time.

Today though I would want to request anyone who would be reading this blog article at any given point in time – Feedback is a very important tool for the community and Appreciation is an even more valuable one. So, next time some blog article or video helps you learn. Someone’s answer in the community helps you – Please do give the credit and appreciation before you again get busy with your day job.

Hope it helps and Power 365ing as usual!

Any problem in Power Platform or Dynamics 365 – end user, Microsoft partner or an individual?

Problem Area – Technical, Functional, Training, Development or consulting?

I am here to help, get in touch here: Click here

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

{Power 2020 Tip # 10} Visualizing D365 Sales Territories Hierarchy

January 20, 2020 deepeshsomani2013 Microsoft Dynamics CRM

One of the ask while visualizing the D365 Sales App is the ability to be able to see the hierarchy of the Territories. With the new D365 Sales App, this ability has been provided by Microsoft. In Power 2020 Blog 10 of the series, we will cover this feature.

Here the Sales Territories are classified as follows

Parent Territory: India

Child Territories:

· North India

· South India

· East India

· West India

Let us Navigate to the App Settings-> Sales Territories and see the available Territories and click on The icon as highlighted in the screenshot:

As you can see, this will open an Org chart visualization for the territories:

Hope it helps and Power 365ing as usual!

Any problem in Power Platform or Dynamics 365 – end user, Microsoft partner or an individual?

Problem Area – Technical, Functional, Training, Development or consulting?

I am here to help, get in touch here: Click here

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

{Power 2020 Blog # 9} Thank you note and celebration for 400 posts

January 15, 2020 deepeshsomani2013 Power Platform

Today, I am posting a special thank you note to all my followers, readers and kudos to you for making this milestone happen for me – this blog has reached 400 posts on its journey.

In July 2013, I started writing some articles on Dynamics CRM, developing some tools in my spare time.

Getting involved with various kind of experiences on Dynamics CRM.

This blog has over time been a keen source of inspiration for myself to keep learning, sharing ideas and connecting with some great minds.

Hope this quick table will help you to utilize the environment out of box Security roles well.

Please note that this is summarized version with reference from Microsoft docs.

Hope it helps and Power 365ing as usual!

Any problem in Power Platform or Dynamics 365 – end user, Microsoft partner or an individual?

Problem Area – Technical, Functional, Training, Development or consulting?

I am here to help, get in touch here: Click here

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

{Power 2020 Tip # 8} Know-how of out of box Security roles in a Power Apps environment

January 14, 2020 deepeshsomani2013 Microsoft Dynamics CRM

First of all, happy to share that this is my 399th post!

One of the ask while using Power Apps is getting the Security configuration absolutely right. Since we are storing business data which is critical to the organization, it is absolutely important to be able to get the security roles on your Environments right. Not only that, we need to be able to understand the out of box Security roles that are available in a Power Apps environment.

Power 2020 Tip # 7 talked about the hidden gem from Microsoft which is the Minimum security role which should be your starting point for custom roles: https://dynamicsofdynamicscrm.com/2020/01/13/power-2020-tip-7-minimum-security-role-required-to-run-a-powerapp/

In the blog, we will try to understand the other packaged out of box security roles in more detail:

Security Role Name	Usage
System Administrator	God mode of the environment. Has complete privileges on environment to customize or administer it. Has full access to all the data in the environment.
System Customizer	Demi god mode of the environment. Has complete privileges on environment customizations. Only has access to environment entities that they created.
Environment Maker	Has privileges required to create any new resources required for the environment such as custom APIs, Gateways, Power Automate, etc. Has no access to data in the environment.
Common Data Service User	Has ability to run an app within the Environment and perform tasks on the non-custom entities that they own within the environment.
Delegate	Has the ability to impersonate another security role on the environment. Used when it is required to run on behalf of any other user(security wise)

Hope this quick table will help you to utilize the environment out of box Security roles well.

Please note that this is summarized version with reference from Microsoft docs.

Hope it helps and Power 365ing as usual!

Any problem in Power Platform or Dynamics 365 – end user, Microsoft partner or an individual?

Problem Area – Technical, Functional, Training, Development or consulting?

I am here to help, get in touch here: Click here

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

{Power 2020 Tip # 7} Minimum Security role required to run a PowerApp

January 13, 2020 deepeshsomani2013 Microsoft Dynamics CRM

For ages I have been asked over the same question by clients, partners and community alike. Everyone wishes to start from the minimum required Security role privileges for doing their production system. As part of Power 2020 blog 7, we will see how to utilize this awesome hidden gem from Microsoft and getting the security role for Minimum security role privileges.

You may start by downloading the solution from the Download Center: Common Data Service minimum privilege security role.

Next we will import the downloaded solution by Navigating to Solutions and click on import:

Next select the downloaded zip file from the link mentioned above and import:

Click on Next and finish the solution import process. On the final step, following confirmation screen will appear:

Now let us open the Security role and explore inside the solution:

Whenever you wish to set the minimum security privileges to access an App, you may start from this role.

Hope it helps and Power 365ing as usual!

Any problem in Power Platform or Dynamics 365 – end user, Microsoft partner or an individual?

Problem Area – Technical, Functional, Training, Development or consulting?

I am here to help, get in touch here: Click here

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

{Power 2020 Tip# 6} Adding a PowerApp to Microsoft Teams

January 10, 2020January 10, 2020 deepeshsomani2013 Power Platform

Certain times we want to empower users to utilize PowerApps right from the Microsoft Teams. With Blog 6 of the series Power 2020, let’s go through how we can achieve this:

Navigate to the Apps section and select Add to Teams option by expanding the Menu under …(three dots)

Click on the Download App button on the right pop-up menu that appears:

A zip file will be downloaded for your App, next Navigate to Microsoft Teams:

Note: You need appropriate privileges to do this. In case you don’t have the right privilege, you will not see the option to Add custom app as described below.

Under Microsoft Teams login, Select Apps and then click on Upload a custom App option:

Here upload the zip file which was exported from Apps area in PowerApps. Once done, The app will be available as below:

In the next step click on the App, In the Popup window click on Add:

Now you can use your App right from Microsoft Teams:

Hope it helps and Power 365ing as usual!

Any problem in CRM – end user,Microsoft partner or an individual?

Problem Area – Technical, Functional, Training, Development or consulting?

I am here to help, get in touch here: Click here

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

{Power 2020 Tip# 5} Themes in Canvas Apps

January 9, 2020January 10, 2020 deepeshsomani2013 Microsoft Dynamics CRM

Many times we want to define pre-defined Themes inside Power Platform Canvas Apps. Here is a quick look at Themes feature in Canvas Apps which can help us to change the overall theming of our Canvas Apps which we will cover in Blog 5 of the series Power 2020.

Under the Home tab we have theme option available and can be used to change the pre-set look and feel of Canvas Apps. The table below describes out of box available options and the look and feel of the App: