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Author : Naveen visuaipath | Published On : 23 Oct 2026
How to Create a Power Apps App Using SharePoint
Introduction
Microsoft Power Apps makes it easy to build apps for everyday business tasks without writing a lot of code. For example, a company may need an app to record employee details, track office supplies, or manage customer requests. Instead of creating a complete application from scratch, you can connect Power Apps to a SharePoint list and use the stored information in your app. A Power Apps Course can help learners understand how to create screens, connect data, and build useful applications. With a few simple steps, even beginners can create an app that helps people enter, view, and update information more easily.
What Is SharePoint, and How Does It Work with Power Apps?
SharePoint is a Microsoft platform that helps teams store, organize, and share information. One of its useful features is SharePoint Lists, which work like online tables.
A SharePoint list can store information such as employee names, department details, product names, dates, and task status. Each item is stored as a separate record, while columns describe the information in that record.
Power Apps allows you to create an app that connects to this information. Users can view records, add new entries, and update existing details through an easy-to-use screen.
For example, an office may use a SharePoint list to record maintenance requests. Employees can submit requests through a Power Apps application, while the office team can review and update their status.
Why Should You Connect Power Apps to SharePoint?
Connecting these two tools can make routine work easier. Employees do not always need to open a spreadsheet or search through a long list to find information.
Here are some common benefits:
- Easy data entry: Users can enter information through simple forms.
- Centralized storage: Records remain organized in a SharePoint list.
- Faster updates: Users can edit existing records through the app.
- Better teamwork: Authorized team members can access shared information.
- Less manual work: Apps can reduce repeated data entry and paper-based processes.
However, the best results depend on how well you design the list, app, permissions, and user experience.
Step 1: Create a SharePoint List
Before building your app, you need a SharePoint list to store its information.
First, open your organization's SharePoint site. Go to the site contents section and choose the option to create a new list. Depending on your requirements, you can create a blank list or start from an existing template.
For this example, create an Employee Details list with these columns:
- Employee Name
- Employee ID
- Department
- Email Address
- Joining Date
Choose suitable column types. For example, use a date column for Joining Date and a text column for Employee Name.
Enter a few sample records to test your application. Make sure the column names are clear and easy to understand.
A well-organized list makes it easier to connect data and maintain the app later.
Step 2: Create a New App in Power Apps
After creating your SharePoint list, open the Power Apps maker portal using your Microsoft account.
Select the option to create a new canvas app. You may be able to create an app from your SharePoint list directly, depending on the available interface and permissions.
If you create a blank canvas app, choose a layout that suits your users. A phone layout is useful for employees who will use the app on mobile devices. A tablet layout may be better for office teams working on larger screens.
Give the app a meaningful name, such as Employee Details App.
Save your work before moving to the next step. Saving regularly helps protect your changes during development.
Step 3: Connect the App to SharePoint
Now, connect your app to the SharePoint list.
In the Power Apps editor, open the Data section and select the option to add a data source. Choose SharePoint, provide your site details, and select the Employee Details list.
Once the connection is added, Power Apps can use the list as a data source.
You can then insert controls that display or collect information. For example, a gallery can show multiple employee records, while an edit form can allow users to add or update details.
If the connection fails, check whether you selected the correct site and list. Also confirm that your account has permission to access the data.
Step 4: Design the App Screen
A useful app should be easy to understand. Users should know where to find records and how to add or edit information.
You can start with three main parts:
Employee list: Display employee records in a gallery. Show important details, such as the employee name and department.
Details screen: Display the selected employee's information.
Entry form: Allow users to add a new employee or update an existing record.
Use clear labels and keep the layout simple. Avoid adding too many controls to one screen.
You can also add buttons such as New Employee, Edit, and Back. Make sure each button performs the action its label describes.
Before sharing the app, test the screen on the devices your team uses most often.
Step 5: Add and Update Records
Power Apps provides forms that make it easier to work with SharePoint data.
To create a new record, use an edit form and set its mode to New. When the user submits the form, Power Apps can save the information to the connected SharePoint list.
For an existing record, select the relevant item and open the form in Edit mode.
For example, a basic save button can use this Power Fx formula:
SubmitForm(EditForm1)
Here, EditForm1 is the name of your form. Replace it with the actual name used in your app.
You can also configure the form to display a success message after saving or an error message if the submission fails. This helps users understand whether their changes were saved successfully.
Step 6: Add Search and Filtering Features
When a list contains many records, finding the correct item can become difficult. A search box or filter can make the app more practical.
For example, users may want to find employees by name or view only employees from a particular department.
Power Apps supports formulas for searching and filtering connected data. The exact formula depends on your columns, controls, and data requirements.
For larger SharePoint lists, pay attention to delegation. Some Power Apps operations cannot be processed entirely by SharePoint. When an operation is not delegable, the app may process only a limited number of records locally, which can lead to incomplete results.
Use delegable formulas where possible and test the app with realistic amounts of data.
Step 7: Test the App and Manage Permissions
Before releasing the application, test it with sample records.
Check whether users can add new entries, edit existing information, search for records, and navigate between screens. Also test what happens when required fields are left empty or a connection fails.
Review the SharePoint list permissions carefully. Connecting a list to an app does not automatically mean every user should have unrestricted access to its information.
Share the app with the appropriate users and ensure they have the required access to the underlying SharePoint data. Follow your organization's security policies when handling employee or customer information.
For more advanced workflows, a business may combine apps with Microsoft Power Automate Training concepts to learn how to send notifications, request approvals, or respond to changes in SharePoint records. These workflows should be tested separately to confirm that they run under the intended permissions and accounts.
How Can You Improve Your SharePoint App?
Once the basic app works, you can improve it based on actual user needs.
Consider adding required-field validation, clear error messages, confirmation prompts before deleting records, and a consistent screen layout.
You may also connect the app to other approved data sources or create workflows for specific business processes. A Power Apps And Power Automate Training program can help learners explore how applications and automated workflows can work together.
Avoid adding features simply because they are available. Start with the main task, collect feedback from users, and make improvements that solve real problems.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. Can I create a Power Apps app using SharePoint without coding?
A: Yes. You can build many basic apps using visual controls, forms, galleries, and data connections. Some features may require formulas or additional development.
Q2. Do I need a SharePoint list before creating the app?
A: A SharePoint list is needed if you want to store and manage the app's information in SharePoint. You can create the list before building the app or use an available app-creation workflow.
Q3. Can Power Apps update SharePoint list records?
A: Yes. With the correct connection and permissions, Power Apps forms can add new records and update existing ones.
Q4. Can I use a SharePoint-connected Power Apps app on a mobile phone?
A: Yes. You can design a responsive experience or choose a suitable phone layout. Users need the required access and a supported way to run the app.
Q5. Is SharePoint suitable for every Power Apps project?
A: No. SharePoint works well for many list-based business applications, but projects with complex data relationships, advanced security requirements, or larger data needs may benefit from other data sources, such as Microsoft Dataverse.
Conclusion
Creating an app with Power Apps and SharePoint is a practical way to manage everyday business information. By preparing a clear SharePoint list, connecting it to an app, designing simple screens, and testing each feature, you can build an application that helps users work with data more efficiently.
Start with a small project, such as an employee directory or maintenance request tracker. Once the basic features work correctly, improve the app based on user feedback and your organization's needs.
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