5 Ways To Submit Forms In Powerapps

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Forms are an essential part of many applications, and Power Apps is no exception. Forms in Power Apps allow users to input data, which can then be stored in various data sources, such as SharePoint lists, databases, or even Excel tables. However, submitting forms can be a bit tricky, especially for those new to Power Apps. In this article, we will explore five ways to submit forms in Power Apps, including using the built-in SubmitForm function, creating custom buttons, leveraging the Patch function, utilizing the UpdateIf function, and even integrating with other apps.

The Importance of Form Submission in Power Apps

Forms in Power Apps serve as a primary means of collecting user input, which can then be used to update data sources, perform calculations, or even trigger workflows. However, without a proper submission mechanism, the data entered into the form remains local to the app and is not persisted. This is where form submission comes into play.

Method 1: Using the SubmitForm Function

The most straightforward way to submit a form in Power Apps is by using the built-in SubmitForm function. This function takes a form as an argument and submits it to the underlying data source. To use the SubmitForm function, follow these steps:

1. Open your Power App and select the form you want to submit.
2. Go to the "Actions" tab in the ribbon and click on the "SubmitForm" button.
3. In the formula bar, enter the following formula: SubmitForm(YourFormName)
4. Replace "YourFormName" with the actual name of your form.
5. Click on the "Run" button or press F5 to test the submission.

Method 2: Creating Custom Buttons

While the SubmitForm function is convenient, you may want to create a custom button to submit your form. This can be useful when you need more control over the submission process or want to perform additional actions before submitting the form. To create a custom button, follow these steps:

1. Open your Power App and select the form you want to submit.
2. Go to the "Insert" tab in the ribbon and click on the "Button" control.
3. Drag the button onto your form and give it a meaningful name, such as "btnSubmit".
4. In the "OnSelect" property of the button, enter the following formula: SubmitForm(YourFormName)
5. Replace "YourFormName" with the actual name of your form.
6. You can also add additional logic or actions before submitting the form by using the "&&" operator. For example: If(IsValid(YourFormName), SubmitForm(YourFormName))

Method 3: Leveraging the Patch Function

The Patch function is a powerful tool in Power Apps that allows you to update records in a data source. You can use the Patch function to submit a form by creating a new record or updating an existing one. To use the Patch function, follow these steps:

1. Open your Power App and select the form you want to submit.
2. Go to the "Actions" tab in the ribbon and click on the "Patch" button.
3. In the formula bar, enter the following formula: Patch(YourDataSource, Defaults(YourDataSource), YourFormName)
4. Replace "YourDataSource" with the actual name of your data source.
5. Replace "YourFormName" with the actual name of your form.
6. The Defaults function creates a new record in the data source, while the Patch function updates the record with the values from the form.

Method 4: Utilizing the UpdateIf Function

The UpdateIf function is another useful tool in Power Apps that allows you to update records in a data source based on a condition. You can use the UpdateIf function to submit a form by updating an existing record. To use the UpdateIf function, follow these steps:

1. Open your Power App and select the form you want to submit.
2. Go to the "Actions" tab in the ribbon and click on the "UpdateIf" button.
3. In the formula bar, enter the following formula: UpdateIf(YourDataSource, YourCondition, YourFormName)
4. Replace "YourDataSource" with the actual name of your data source.
5. Replace "YourCondition" with the condition under which you want to update the record.
6. Replace "YourFormName" with the actual name of your form.
7. The UpdateIf function updates the record in the data source with the values from the form, but only if the condition is met.

Method 5: Integrating with Other Apps

Finally, you can also submit forms in Power Apps by integrating with other apps. For example, you can use the "Flow" button to trigger a Microsoft Power Automate (formerly Microsoft Flow) workflow, which can then update a data source or perform other actions. To integrate with other apps, follow these steps:

1. Open your Power App and select the form you want to submit.
2. Go to the "Actions" tab in the ribbon and click on the "Flow" button.
3. In the formula bar, enter the following formula: Flow.Run(YourFlowName, YourFormName)
4. Replace "YourFlowName" with the actual name of your flow.
5. Replace "YourFormName" with the actual name of your form.
6. The Flow function triggers the specified flow, which can then perform the desired actions.

In conclusion, there are several ways to submit forms in Power Apps, each with its own advantages and disadvantages. By understanding these different methods, you can choose the best approach for your specific use case and create powerful, data-driven apps.