Data source

One of the great things about Power Apps is that we can use a multitude of different data sources, but we have to be constantly aware of the advantages and disadvantages of each. Personally, I have a method of escalation for my various data sources which helps me to find the right tool for the job.

Excel

Excel is where I tend to start a lot of my developments, although realistically I never consider this as a data source for anything production. The risk of the file accidentally being deleted, the lack of control over each row, plus the issues of lack of simple data validation, carries far too much of a risk for me.

Where Excel does really play a part in my development, though, is for quick and easy modelling of my data structures. Using Excel, I plan out my various tables of data, along with any columns of data which could be included within the table. I don’t worry about relationships at this point, but having my data mapped out will help me to identify where they...