Third step: Connect the data to the app
The table for saving vocabulary words is now ready. Next, the table needs to be connected to the app created in the earlier unit.
Step 11
In Teams, open Power Apps again using the icon on the left side of the Teams window.
If the icon didn’t remain pinned to the left side of the window, select the apps icon to find it and open it again.
Select Build in the navigation bar at the top of the window. Find and select the vocabulary app in the list that pops up in the middle of the window.
Select With data from the options in the middle of the window. This brings up options for Select a data source. Choose Select a data source.
The zoom control under the window can enlarge the view.
- Select the table of words created earlier (the demo table is Vocabularies). It'll appear on the left side of the screen.
You may see the plural version of the title rather than the singular version. It's the same table so select it.
Power Apps creates several controls, so they don't have to be added one by one. This includes a form for adding, editing, and viewing data. The look and feel of this form can be changed.
It's easier to view the app on a small screen if there is only one field per row instead of three. That view option can be adjusted in this step.
Step 12
Select the blank white space below the fields in the form. A blue border will appear around the entire form to show that it's selected.
Change the number of columns from one to three on the properties panel.
Step 13
Select Save at the top right of the Power Apps canvas window to save the app.
After the initial manual save process, Power Apps automatically saves changes at regular intervals. Save intervals can be adjusted in the settings. However, it's always a good idea to manually save the app before exiting the interface or quitting Teams.
- Preview the app by selecting the Preview icon at the top right next to Save.
The vocabulary list and words are now connected, and the app is working!
Publish the app to Teams
With the vocabulary app created, it' time to publish it to Teams so others can use it. These steps explain the process.
Step 14
- Select Publish to Teams in the top right of the window next to Preview.
- On the next screen, select Edit details to add a description to the app. Adding a description provides users with information about the app or how it's to be used.
Add an app description in the text box that appears. When finished, select the X at the top right to close the window.
Select the team channel where the app is to be published. To create a new Teams channel for the app, select the + button at the top right (or create the new channel prior to publishing the app to Teams).
Select Save and close at the bottom right.
The app will be added as a tab in a channel in the selected team.
Customization options
Congratulations for successfully creating the vocabulary app in Microsoft Teams! Getting the context of these basic building blocks ensures a better understanding of how to further customize the app.
Test this new app and experiment with customizing screen colors and other options. Adding the app to a class team is a great way to test it with students.
Understand Power Apps Studio contains an overview of Power Apps Studio in Microsoft Teams along with information on app customization options. Information about the options available in the app settings is also included. Explore Power Apps studio to learn the possibilities!
