Let’s talk about Microsoft’s PowerApps documentation and what an important resource it can be for users regardless of skill level.
If you’ve been following our PowerApps tutorials, you’ll see just how comprehensive the platform’s functionalities are. In fact, PowerApps is filled to the brim with so many features that I don’t think I’d be able to cover every single functionality there is in the platform.
That’s why it’s a good thing that Microsoft has created a comprehensive PowerApps documentation that can serve as a guide, especially when it comes to expert-level features.
Using Microsoft’s PowerApps Documentation
Microsoft is known for designing platforms and tools that are easy to use and navigate. But more than the actual platforms, the guides they create for these platforms are on a league of their own.
These are some of the most comprehensive guides you’ll ever see, with detailed explanations of every feature and function available. This is exactly how one would describe the PowerApps documentation.
The PowerApps documentation gives more than just an overview of the platform. It answers every question imaginable through the articles featured in the middle.
On the left, you’ll see a series of drop downs covering every topic. The deeper you go into each drop down list, the more specific the topics also become.
But even if you go deeper down the menu, it’s easy to navigate back to where you came from because of the breadcrumb trail on top.
To show you how detailed this document is, let’s take a look at some of the topics covered. Below, for example, it shows us how to create an app. It actually shows different ways to do it, such as creating an app from a template or creating an app using existing data.
If you’re looking for information on how to design and build an app, it shows sub-topics like designing the interface, configuring app functionality, and making the app accessible.
Let’s go into the control reference section. As you can see, there’s a long list of controls that you can learn about here.
So if we want to find out about camera controls, we just need to click on camera on the left pane, and an entire article shows up in the middle giving the step-by-step process.
As you can see, everything is clearly organized, allowing users to jump from one topic to another without getting lost.
Here’s another topic that covers a lot of ground — common properties. But as you can see, it doesn’t seem overwhelming at all.
The trick is to know how to go down each trail of topics and sub-topics, then find your way back before jumping to other sections.
When we did the other PowerApps tutorials, you’ll notice that we used quite a lot of functions. All of those functions can be found in this documentation as well. Just go to “Configure app functionality”, then look for “Formula reference”.
This is where you’ll find a list of all the different formulas that can be used in PowerApps. Despite the long list, it’s easy to find the one you’re looking for if you use the letters on the right. Just click on the first letter of the function you’re looking for.
These are just some of the things you can find in this document. For sure, you can learn so much more about cool features you can add to your app if you go through this documentation at your own pace.
***** Related Links *****
Power Apps Introduction: Definition, Features, Functions And Importance
Power Apps Environments: Setting Up The App Elements Properly
PowerApps Functions and Formulas | An Introduction
Conclusion
Microsoft has definitely made sure that every end user has a clear guide to follow each time they use PowerApps. This can be quite helpful especially for topics that we’re unable to cover in our tutorials.
This PowerApps documentation can also serve as a guide in practicing your own skills. Take any of the apps you’re working on, jump to a random topic in this document that you haven’t learned yet, and find a way to integrate it to your app. For sure, you’ll find yourself discovering amazing features that you didn’t think were possible.
This will set you apart from other users. I believe that the thing that sets beginners and experts apart is not just their mastery of the platform. It’s also in the way they are able to find new features in this document and apply it to their own work.
All the best,
Henry
