Create tables and table columns based on a data model

Creating tables and table columns based on a data model is an essential aspect of building apps using Microsoft Power Platform App Maker. The data model forms the foundation of your app by defining the structure of your data and how it interacts with the app’s functionality. In this article, we will explore the steps involved in creating tables and table columns within your Power Platform app.

1. Launch Power Apps

Start by launching Power Apps from the Microsoft Power Platform website.

2. Navigate to the Data Tab

Once in Power Apps, navigate to the “Data” tab on the left-hand side of the screen. This is where you can manage your data sources, including tables and entities.

3. Create a New Entity

Click on “Entities” to create a new entity that represents a table in your data model. Give the entity an appropriate name that reflects the data it will store. For example, if you are building an app for managing customer data, you may create an entity named “Customers.”

4. Define the Attributes or Columns

Within the entity, you can define the different attributes or columns that represent the data fields associated with each record in the table. Click on “Fields” to create new fields within the entity.

5. Specify Field Names and Data Types

Specify the name for each field and select the appropriate data type based on the nature of the data it will store. Power Apps offers various data types such as text, number, date/time, choice, lookup, and more. For example, if you want to store the customer’s name, you can create a field named “Name” with the text data type.

6. Set Field Properties

Additionally, you can set properties for each field, such as whether it is required, the maximum length of text fields, default values, and validation rules. These properties help ensure data integrity and improve the user experience.

7. Create Relationships between Entities

If your app requires interrelated data, you can create relationships between entities. For instance, you may create a relationship between the “Customers” entity and an “Orders” entity to associate each customer with their respective orders. To establish relationships, navigate to the “Relationships” section within the entity and define the appropriate connections.

8. Enhance the Data Model

Once you have created the necessary tables and defined their columns, you can further enhance your data model by incorporating additional features such as calculated fields, business rules, and custom logic using Power Apps formulas and expressions.

9. Save and Publish the Data Model

Finally, save your changes and publish your data model to make it available for app development. Published changes are visible to app makers who can utilize the defined tables and table columns within their app designs.

By following these steps, you can successfully create tables and table columns based on a data model using Microsoft Power Platform App Maker. Remember to regularly refine and modify your data model as your app evolves to meet changing requirements. The flexibility and scalability of Power Platform App Maker empower you to build robust and efficient apps tailored to your organization’s unique needs.