4.2. Build a basic canvas app

uilding a basic canvas app is an essential skill for anyone working with Power Apps. A canvas app is a type of app that allows you to create custom user interfaces for data that is stored in various sources, such as SharePoint, Excel, or Dynamics 365. A canvas app allows you to design the app’s user interface by dragging and dropping components onto the screen, such as text boxes, buttons, and galleries.

To build a basic canvas app, you need to begin by selecting the data source for the app. Power Apps offers a wide range of connectors that allow you to connect to data sources such as SharePoint, Excel, and Dynamics 365, as well as other sources such as OneDrive, Dropbox, and Google Drive. Once you have selected the data source, you can start designing the user interface by dragging and dropping components onto the screen. You can also customize the components, such as changing the font size or color, or adding animations and effects.

Building a basic canvas app also involves creating formulas to add logic and functionality to the app. You can use formulas to perform calculations, validate data, and control the behavior of the app. Power Apps uses a formula language called PowerApps Formula Language (PFL), which is similar to Excel formulas.

Overall, building a basic canvas app requires a good understanding of data sources, user interface design, and formula writing. It is a fundamental skill for anyone looking to create custom business applications using Power Apps.