Canvas Apps in Power Apps: build a data entry application

Canvas Apps are drag-and-drop applications in Power Apps where the maker controls the layout pixel by pixel. They are the right choice for custom mobile apps, complex forms and replacing Excel-based processes.

Create and connect to a data source

1. make.powerapps.com → Create → Blank canvas app (tablet/phone)
2. View → Data sources → Add data → SharePoint
   → Select site and list: "Incident_Records"
3. The list becomes available as: Incident_Records

Gallery bound to the source

Control: Vertical gallery
Items (property): SortByColumns(
    Filter(Incident_Records, Status = ddStatus.Selected.Value),
    "Title", Ascending
)
// ddStatus = DropDown with options: "All","Open","Closed"

// If ddStatus = "All", show everything:
Items: If(
    ddStatus.Selected.Value = "All",
    Incident_Records,
    Filter(Incident_Records, Status = ddStatus.Selected.Value)
)

Edit form

Control: Edit Form (frmEdit)
DataSource: Incident_Records
Item: gal.Selected  // item selected in the gallery

// Save button:
OnSelect: If(
    SubmitForm(frmEdit),
    Notify("Saved successfully!", NotificationType.Success),
    Notify("Error saving.", NotificationType.Error)
)

// New record button:
OnSelect: NewForm(frmEdit); Navigate(scrForm)

Essential Power Fx formulas

// Combined filter (text + dropdown)
Filter(
    Customers,
    (txtSearch.Text = "" || StartsWith(Name, txtSearch.Text)) &&
    (ddRegion.Selected.Value = "All" || Region = ddRegion.Selected.Value)
)

// Calculate days since creation
DateDiff(ThisItem.Created, Now(), TimeUnit.Days)

// Navigate between screens with context
Navigate(scrDetail, ScreenTransition.Fade, {selectedItem: ThisItem})

Conclusion

A well-built Canvas App replaces Excel-and-email processes with an auditable application, accessible on mobile and integrated with SharePoint or Dataverse. Invest time in the user experience — well-named controls and intuitive navigation dramatically increase adoption.