Exploring the Features and Functionalities of PowerApps by Microsoft (2017)

PowerApps, one of my favorite tools from Microsoft

During my time at a previous company, I had the opportunity to work extensively with PowerApps, developing a range of applications, including surveys, table content management, sales reports, and dashboards. To me, PowerApps feels like a blend of PowerPoint and Excel, offering agility and ease of use.

One standout feature of PowerApps is its familiar interface, which closely resembles PowerPoint. This allows you to incorporate various elements into your applications, such as images, videos, and downloadable files. You can even create your own training applications, similar to those found on Microsoft Virtual Academy.

Security is another strong aspect of PowerApps. You have full control over whom you share your applications with, and you can collaborate with other users by assigning them co-authoring privileges. Accessing PowerApps is seamless, as it integrates with your corporate Office 365 account, enabling single sign-on.

PowerApps can be accessed via desktop or web, offering flexibility in modifying your applications from anywhere. If you're looking to create a more robust application, I recommend using the desktop version, as it provides a broader range of functions compared to the web version.

Another noteworthy capability is the ability to easily track and revert changes, thanks to the version history feature. This ensures you can experiment and modify your apps without the fear of losing previous iterations.

PowerApps also allows you to connect to databases like SQL, enabling not only data access but also the utilization of stored procedures through the creation of Flows.

Furthermore, PowerApps boasts a thriving community of users who are always willing to share tips, tricks, and insights. Additionally, there is a wealth of documentation and online resources available, offering samples and guidance on specific commands and syntax.

While PowerApps excels in many areas, there is one feature that I wish it had: the ability to create a standalone executable file. However, considering the nature of dynamic development tools, the need for a launcher is understandable. It wouldn't surprise me if this feature becomes available in the future.

In terms of performance, PowerApps delivers decent speed, especially when developing smaller applications. However, I would appreciate improved speed, particularly when working with larger and more complex applications.

Overall, PowerApps remains a versatile and powerful tool for app development, offering an intuitive interface, robust security features, database connectivity, and a supportive community. It's an agile solution that empowers users to create customized applications without extensive coding knowledge.

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