PowerApps collections are a way to store and manipulate data within a PowerApps app. A collection is essentially a table of data that can be created and manipulated within an app without the need for an external data source.
In this article, we will discuss how to add an item to PowerApps Collection, how to remove an item from the PowerApps collection, and how to update collection items in PowerApps.
Also read: PowerApps Collection: Filter a record
Collections can be used to store data temporarily within an app or to provide offline functionality for users by caching data on the device. They can also be used to combine data from different sources, perform calculations or filtering on data, or provide lookup tables for dropdown lists or other controls.
Here we have some of the benefits of PowerApps collection:
Allows local storage and manipulation of data within an app
Supports a wide range of data types
Enables easy data filtering, sorting, and grouping
Provides an efficient way to work with data in PowerApps
Simplifies data management and manipulation without requiring extensive coding knowledge
Can be used to hold data retrieved from various sources such as SharePoint lists, Excel files, or external APIs
Supports formulas and functions for data transformation and computation
Provides a flexible and scalable solution for app development.
How to add a record to PowerApps Collection
To add a new single record or multiple records to Powerapps Collection, follow the below processes.
STEP 1: Go to "Apps" and select Canvas => + New App.
STEP 2: Select "Tablet layout" under the "Blank app" section as shown in below.
STEP 3: Go to the "Insert" tab and add "Text-label".
Add four labels: Name, Age, Mobile Number and Address.
STEP 4: Now, go to the "Insert" tab and add "Text-Input".
The text input will help you to enter the data. You have to add four "text-input".
STEP 5: Now, go to the "Insert" tab and add "Button".
The button will trigger the creation of a new record in your collection. You can choose the style for your button
STEP 6: Double-click on the button and open the "OnSelect" property.
STEP 7: OnSelect property takes two arguments: the name of the collection and a record to ass to the collection.
Below is an example of adding a new record to a collection called "MyCollection".
OnSelect = Collect(CandidateInfo, {Name:I_name.Text,Id:I_age.Text,MobileNumber:I_mobile_number.Text,Address:I_address.Text})STEP 8: Go to the View tab to add the items.
STEP 9: Now, click on collections to view the added item in Collections.
Result
How to remove a record from the PowerApps collection
If you want to remove the unnecessary items from the Powerapps Collections, then follow the following steps:
STEP 1: Go to Insert tab -> Gallery -> Vertical(Select any gallery from the drop-down).
STEP 2: Select the Collection name (CandidateInfo) from the Data source.
STEP 3: Now, go to Gallery Properties from the right side of the page. Select the Layout as the Title and subtitle.
Click on the vertical Gallery and put the below formula:
Items = CandidateInfoWhere CandidateInfo is the Collection name
When you will put the above formula, then you can see all the items that you have added in the Powerapps collection.
STEP 4: Add a Button and rename it to Clear Item. Go to Insert => Button.
This button is used to clear all the items that are present in the Powerapps Collections.
Select the button (Clear Item) and put the below formula in the formula bar:
OnSelect = Clear(CandidateInfo)STEP 5: Now to remove an item from the Powerapps Collection, click on the "Clear Items" button. Then that item will be removed from the Gallery as well as Powerapps Collections.
How to update records in PowerApps Collections
In the Powerapps Update Function, you can use two different functions:
Update: Powerapps Update Function is used to replace the entire record in a data source.
UpdateIf: Powerapps UpdateIf Function is used to modify one single or more values in one or more records that match one or more conditions.
Update Syntax
Update( DataSource, OldRecord, NewRecord [, All ] )Where,
DataSource: This contains all the records that you want to replace. It may be a Table, Collections, etc.
OldRecord: It is the record that you want to replace.
NewRecord: It is the replacement record. This is not a change record. Here, the entire record is replaced.
All: Mention the All argument to remove all copies of the record.
UpdateIf Syntax
UpdateIf( DataSource, Condition1, ChangeRecord1 [, Condition2, ChangeRecord2, ... ] )Where,
DataSource: This data source contains one or more records that you want to modify.
Condition(s): In this condition, you can use the column names of DataSource in the formula. It evaluates to True for the record that you want to modify.
ChangeRecord(s): You can provide a change record of new property values that satisfy the condition.
Example:
In the below example, I want to update the address of all records that are present in the Powerapps Collections. Follow the below steps to do so:
STEP 1: Insert a Button ( go to Insert => Button) and rename it to Update Item.
Select the button and apply the below update formula as shown below:
OnSelect = UpdateIf(CandidateInfo, Name = Name, {Address:I_address.Text})Where,
OnSelect = Property Name
UpdateIf = Function Name
CandidateInfo = Collection Name
Name = Text input name
Address = Text input name
STEP 2: In the Preview app, When you will click on the Update Item button, then the address will change in each record in the Powerapps Collections.
Also read: PowerApps Collection: Filter a record
Conclusion
PowerApps collection is a versatile and useful feature that enables users to create complex and dynamic apps without requiring extensive coding knowledge. It simplifies data manipulation and management, allowing users to easily store, sort, and filter data. Collections provide an efficient way to work with data in PowerApps and enhance the overall app development experience.