SharePoint Power Apps Integration Virtual Tables

Integrating SharePoint with Power Apps can bring numerous benefits to your organization, including increased productivity, improved data management, and streamlined processes. One powerful feature of this integration is the ability to use virtual tables in Power Apps. In this article, we will explore what virtual tables are, how they work, and the benefits they bring to your SharePoint and Power Apps integration.

What are Virtual Tables in Power Apps?

Virtual tables are a type of data source in Power Apps that do not require a physical database. Instead, they allow you to create a table-like structure using data from SharePoint lists or collections within your Power Apps.

How do Virtual Tables Work?

Virtual tables are created in Power Apps by using the Collect function. The Collect function allows you to add, update, or delete data from a virtual table. You can then use the virtual table in your Power Apps just as you would any other data source, such as a database or SharePoint list.

The Benefits of Using Virtual Tables in SharePoint Power Apps Integration

There are several key benefits to using virtual tables in your SharePoint Power Apps integration. These include:

1. Improved Performance

Virtual tables are stored in the Power Apps cache, which means that they are accessible even when offline. This can significantly improve the performance of your Power Apps, especially in situations where a network connection is unavailable.

2. Increased Flexibility

Virtual tables allow you to manipulate data in a more flexible way, making it easier to tailor your Power Apps to your specific business needs. You can add, update, or delete data in a virtual table as needed, and use it in your Power Apps in a variety of ways.

3. Simplified Data Management

Virtual tables make it easier to manage your data within Power Apps. You can easily manipulate data in a virtual table without having to navigate complex database structures or navigate through multiple screens in SharePoint.

How to Integrate Virtual Tables into Your SharePoint Power Apps

Integrating virtual tables into your SharePoint Power Apps is a straightforward process. Here are the steps you need to follow:

I assume that you have already created the share point site. I have created one with the name Days of Week.

 

Now create a new table using make.powerapps.com

go to Tables->New Table->New Table from External Data:

It will open a dialog box from there we will see the option to connect to share point and SQL Server.

Click the add connection button for SharePoint. We will see the following screen.

Select the cloud-based services.

Once the connection is created then, we can refresh the page.

Enter the site URL and select the site from the dropdown. Also, check the configure table and column names checkbox.

Here we can see the configuration of the table fields.

Here we can see the confirmation page. Click the finish button.

We are all done. Now, if we will enter data in power apps it will appear in share point as well.

We entered a new day with the same New Day. Let´s see if this appears in Share Point or not.

We can see that the New Day has appeared in Share Point.

Now, if we enter a day in Share Point, it will appear in Power Apps as well.

We can see new data in power apps as well.

Conclusion

Virtual tables in Power Apps can bring numerous benefits to your SharePoint integration, including improved performance, increased flexibility, and simplified data management. By following the steps outlined above, you can easily integrate virtual tables into your SharePoint Power Apps and start reaping the benefits for your organization.