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Create a canvas app with data from a list

Transform your Microsoft Lists or SharePoint data into a powerful mobile and web app in minutes with no coding required. This article shows you how to create a fully functional canvas app that connects directly to your existing lists, giving you and your team an intuitive way to view, edit, and manage data on any device.

You can also connect to on-premises SharePoint lists through a data gateway.

You can create an app by using a list in SharePoint or Lists in two ways:

When you create the app, Power Apps Studio opens with a single-screen, responsive app that's ready to use. The app consolidates all the functionality—browse items, view details, and add, edit, or delete records—onto one screen. It's built with containers, so the layout adjusts to the size of the device or window where the app runs. By default, the app opens in tablet layout and automatically adapts to phones.

Note

What changed: Newly generated apps now use a single responsive screen. Previously, Power Apps generated an app with three separate screens—Browse, Details, and Edit—designed for phones. The new template provides the same functionality in one screen that adapts to both tablet and phone layouts. Apps you generated earlier keep their original three-screen design and continue to work. Only apps you generate going forward use the single-screen template.

Note

When you create or view a list in SharePoint, you're automatically redirected to Microsoft Lists. The list is always available in both Microsoft Lists and SharePoint. Learn more in What is a list in Microsoft 365?

Prerequisites

Use SharePoint and Power Apps with a subscription to Microsoft 365 and Microsoft Power Platform.

Create a list

Before you create an app from a list, create a list.

For this example, create a list to track device orders for your company. Include the following columns with sample data:

  1. Employee name

  2. Device type

  3. Request date

  4. Reason for the order

  5. Approved or denied

  6. Status

    Screenshot of a sample list in Microsoft Lists that tracks device orders.

Use a list in SharePoint or Lists to create an app

Now, use the list that you created to build an app from the list.

  1. Sign in to Power Apps.

  2. From the home screen, select Start with data.

  3. On the Create an app page, select SharePoint.

  4. Enter the SharePoint URL, and then select Connect. Or, select a recent site.

  5. Select a list or select the sample list you created earlier, and then select Create app.

    The app opens in Power Apps Studio, where you design, build, and manage the app. For more information, see Understand Power Apps Studio.

  6. Select the Preview the app icon to see how the app works.

  7. Save and publish your app.

    When you add or edit information in the app, the information in SharePoint or Lists also updates.

Create an app directly from a list in SharePoint or Lists

Before you create the app, make sure you create a list.

  1. Sign in to SharePoint: https://yourorganizationname.sharepoint.com

  2. Open a list in either SharePoint or Lists. If you open the list from SharePoint, you're taken to Lists to view the list.

  3. Select Integrate > Power Apps > Create an app.

    Screenshot of the Integrate menu in Lists, showing the option to create an app in Power Apps.

  4. Select the Preview the app icon to see how the app works.

  5. Save and publish your app.

    When you add or edit information in the app, the information in SharePoint or Lists also updates.

Manage your app

After you create an app, you can play, save, share, and publish it.

Learn more about these app actions in the Power Apps Studio interface.

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