Build a Custom Power Apps Application in Less Than 10 Minutes: A Quick Start Guide

In today's fast-paced business environment, the ability to quickly develop custom applications can be a game-changer. However, not everyone has the extensive coding knowledge required to build these apps from scratch. This is where Power Apps comes in. Power Apps is a powerful tool that allows you to create low-code applications tailored to your business needs, even if you have little to no coding experience. In this blog, we'll explore how you can leverage Power Apps to build custom business apps quickly and efficiently.

What is Power Apps?

Power Apps is a low-code platform that allows you to create apps that can run on web browsers, mobile devices, and tablets, all without the need for extensive coding knowledge. With Power Apps, you can connect to various data sources, automate workflows, and create user-friendly interfaces with ease.

Here's a step-by-step guide to building a low-code app using a template in Power Apps:

Building a Canvas App with Power Apps: Step-by-Step Guide

Creating a custom business app with Power Apps is simple and efficient, even if you don't have extensive coding knowledge. Follow these steps to get started:

Step 1: Sign In to Power Apps

First, you'll need to sign in to Power Apps. You can do this by visiting https://make.powerapps.com and logging in with your account credentials.

Step 2: Create your application

Once you have signed in, you'll be taken to the Power Apps home page. From here, click on "Create" in the left-hand menu to access Power Apps Studio.

Step 3: Choose a Template

In Power Apps Studio, you'll see a variety of templates available for different business scenarios. These templates provide a great starting point and can save you a lot of time. To choose a template:

• Scroll down until you see start from template
• Browse through the available templates and select one that fits your needs. For example, you might choose the "My expenses" template if you're looking to create an app for managing expenses.

Step 5: Customize Your App

With your template and data source set up, you can start customizing your app. Power Apps Studio provides a user-friendly interface where you can drag and drop elements, such as text boxes, buttons, and images, to design your app. You can also customize the look and feel of your app to match your brand.

Step 6: Add Functionality

Power Apps allows you to add functionality to your app without writing complex code. You can use Power FX formulas and expressions to create logic and automate tasks. For example, you can create a text that automatically calculate totals, validate user input, and trigger workflows based on specific conditions. Here is a reference for Power FX Formulas:

Formula reference - canvas apps - Power Platform | Microsoft Learn

Step 7: Test Your App

Before publishing your app, it's important to test it thoroughly to ensure it works as expected. Power Apps provides a preview mode that allows you to test your app in a simulated environment. Make sure to test all the features and functionality to catch any issues.

Step 8: Save and Publish Your App

Once you're satisfied with your app, save your work and publish it so others can use it. To save and publish your app:

• click on "Save" from the top right of your screen
• After saving, click on "Publish" to make your app available to your team or organization.

By following these steps, you'll be able to quickly build a custom business app using Power Apps, even without extensive coding knowledge. Power Apps makes it easy to create powerful and user-friendly apps that can help streamline your business processes and improve efficiency.

Accessing Your Apps on Desktop

1. Go back to the home page by pressing the left arrow. You can also do this by visiting https://make.powerapps.com.
2. Navigate to Your Apps: On the Power Apps home page, you'll see a list of apps you've created or have access to. Click on the app you want to open.

    

3. Run the App: Click on the play button next to the apps name to run it directly in your web browser.

Accessing Your Apps on Mobile Devices

1. Download the Power Apps Mobile App:
   • For iOS: Go to the App Store and search for "Power Apps."
   • For Android: Go to the Google Play Store and search for "Power Apps."

      

2. Open the App: Once installed, open the app.
3. Sign In: Log in with your Power Apps account credentials.
4. Find Your App: After signing in, you'll see a list of apps you've created or have access to.  

    

5. Run the App: Tap on the app's name to open and run it on your mobile device.

Additional Resources

1. Formula reference - canvas apps - Power Platform | Microsoft Learn
2. Designing - Which type of app to make - Power Apps | Microsoft Learn
3. Overview of building canvas apps - Power Apps | Microsoft Learn