Data storage workarounds?

[PFTM]

Hi all,

I'm working on an application for a client that will handle expenses and reimbursements. In this application, I need to store a number that will get called and set as a variable to do math operations on user input. This number will change every so often through the year as it comes from the IRS.

I'd really rather not tell them they need to purchase 500 licenses for their users because I need to store a number with a 0 and 3 decimals. lol

Are there any other options other than forcing them to pay for a license, or ditching that aspect of the project?

Thanks all!

[SebS]

@PFTM 

What Stopping You to store a number like that? and what Data Source stopping You from doing this I just do not understand and I'm curies what I am missing.

[PFTM]

@SebS 

My apologies, I probably worded this poorly with morning brain.

So, this application. I need to store a number to reference for a math operation to get a sum, but this number will be dynamic. So, what I've tried is having a configuration screen with a button and that button takes a value from a number/text field and assigns it to "vPPM". Works great if the user goes in there and sets that value. BUT, what I actually need to have happen, is a user from this clients accounting department, goes in there, sets that variable which is then able to be referenced across every session of the app, like it would be if it were stored in a table within Dataverse, which I know would be my preferred solution, however they don't want to pay for licensing which I understand. Currently, that variable (at least from my testing) gets set to 0 the next time the app launches, which is what I need to figure out.

TL;DR: Application has a number entered in a field and put into a variable "vPPM" > Number is stored for every instance of the app that is launched and only changed when needed and gets referenced for math operations involving accounting/funds so relying on the end user for accurate info is out of the question, and can't use premium features.

I hope that sheds more light on my issue. I can be quite confusing with how I explain things sometimes so I apologize in advance 🙂

[SebS]

@PFTM 

So what is the issue with creating a list in SharePoint called it vPPM and using the Title column to store that variable and update it when it changes?

If you don't want to convert it from text to number You can add column type number and refer to that

[PFTM]

@SebS 

Thank you for the reply!

I did think about doing that, but, I'm not exactly sure how I would reference it. I did create a separate list with a number column called "Current PPM" where I thought about storing it. Would I need to add a list item there as a placeholder and then point that button in the configuration to update that column on the list object?

Thanks!

[SebS · Accepted solution]

@PFTM 

That's easy

On the app, OnStart create a variable that will be set when the app starts and will take the number from the Sharepoint list

now, if You want to add numbers and keep like History, You can do

ID   Title  CurrentPPM   DateAdded

1                   0564         14/12/2022

Set(varPPM, 

Last(Sort(SharePointList, ID, Descending)).CurrentPPM


)

in that way, You have a History of all numbers used and it always use the last number added as the VarPPM

Hope it make sanse

[PFTM]

@SebS 

Oh nice okay I understand now! So if I wanted that variable to be displayed somewhere in the canvass, would I need to convert it since it resolves as a record? For instance, in the configuration page I mentioned, the current value gets displayed, and the associated button and text field patch user input to that column when a change is required etc etc. but if it returns as a record now, I can't display it in a label or text input as Default=Text(vPPM) correct?

[SebS]

@PFTM 

You don't need to convert it. That variable will reflect the numbers, so if, for example, You place in List 22 and want to do a calculation you can refer to that variable any ware in the app like this

varPPM + 15 and that gives You 37 if you store it in the Title which can be only Text You will need to convert it to a Number like this

Value(varPPM) + 15

You can place it in a label Text property like varPPM and the label will start showing the value

Last(Sort(SharePointList, ID, Descending)).CurrentPPM

 Means You picking last added record to the list based on the ID than You refer to this record cell stored in column called CurrentPPM

[PFTM]

@SebS 

Absolute legend. Thank you! Saved me a great deal of frustration.