Exporting Power Apps to share

[Tal22]

I created a Power App (Form) from a MS List. I can share the List with users via email but not the Power App. I am assuming I need to export the Power App package and then install that package on my selected users desktop. I am not sure how to accomplish this so, I would appreciate guidance on how to share my Power App with others. 

[WarrenBelz]

Hi @Tal22 ,

This document should assist you.

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Visit my blog Practical Power Apps

[Tal22]

Thanks for the info.

As it turns out, my organization has 365 Business subscription but the Enterprise platform is required to share Power Platform Canvass apps. My work around is Access, which is a proven app as opposed to Power Apps, which feels like a product still in beta. 

[Tal22]

Hello Warren, pardon the very belated reply. And thanks for the link.

After testing Power Apps at my organization, I found a few major bugs:

Creating Power App from a MS List - It only creates a mobile layout. No option for desktop version. 

Using List as Power App data source to share on Teams: Two problems:

1) Users are invited to the List file and the Power App file created from the List, which is very confusing to users.

2) Teams does not support a Power App on Teams using a List data source, i.e., Power App does not connect to List data source in Teams environment. 

Microsoft should not make sharing a Power App using a List data source as an option to share on Teams. 

My hope was to build a user-friendly, no code/low code environment for my team members but, unfortunately, the Power Platform wont' become a real solution until Microsoft works out these bugs and develops the Platform as a mature product.

That said, I am debating building an Access platform, but I am hesitant to do so. Can you recommend an alternative Microsoft platform - if one exist? Or should go outside the MS environment for a viable solution. My organization subscribes to Office 356 Business Premium but, as I just delineated, paying for a platform that is not fully functional is not a wise use of money. 

Thanks

[Rusk]

Hi there,

Regarding this point: 2) Teams does not support a Power App on Teams using a List data source, i.e., Power App does not connect to List data source in Teams environment. 

At my job we use at least 6 different apps and all are based on SharePoint Lists.  All the apps are accessed via Teams.  So I'm not sure what you've encountered but it isn't because PowerApps can't do it

[Tal22]

My goal was to build and deploy a quick app using a MS List and then creating a Power App using the Integrate menu. I shared permission for both the List and the Power App and then shared the Power App on Teams. Unfortunately, users could not connect to the List data source, which rendered the app useless. To resolve the issue, I directed users to just use the MS List, which they all have access to via an email link. Most users were able to launch from the link, but a few had to download the MS List to their desktop to us the List. Aside from this inexplicable anomaly, am I to understand A Power App, with a Microsoft List data source won't work on Teams and that I need to build a Power App source from a SharePoint list? 

The head count of the team I work with is nearly 100 and I am not confident that the Power Platform can handle these many users. This is why I am still looking at Access as a more reliable, mature platform, but as I mentioned before, with some hesitancy. My prime concern with Access is that slower to build and deploy and requires more IT and technical support. Again, I am looking for a user-friendly, low code/no code cloud solution that does not require technical expertise of its users. The Power Platform environment doesn't seem to fit the bill yet.  

Thanks. 

[RobElliott]

@Tal22 100 users is nothing for Power Apps; one of my apps in the summer had nearly 1000 users accessing the app almost simultaneously. That required lots of work to overcome browser caching issues but the app coped with it - note: iteasn't a Power Apps customised form which you appear to be wanting to deliver, but in terms of users that should not be a problem. Access is now deprecated and is not part of the M365 family so it's not the future. Its direct successor is Dataverse and Dateverse for Teams.

Rob
Los Gallardos
Intranet, SharePoint and Power Platform Manager (and classic 1967 Morris Traveller driver)

[Tal22]

Hi, I actually want to create a form for team members to access and interact with databases like the rest of the webverse. For example, if I book a flight, or rental car, a hotel room, etc, the respective vendors don't send me to a spreadsheet environment, they send me to a form. So, yeah, online forms have been a thing for quite a while, which is why I have used Access in the past. I am assuming that Microsoft understands the simple, powerful and universal concept of using forms, I just haven't connected with a workable solution yet in the MS environment.

I have not looked into Dataverse as my license does not show I have access to it, but I have Common Data Services, which I am assuming is the same thing?

Again, very confusing! 

P.S. I just looked at Dataverse. It doesn't seem to come close to Access as it can only link to one database, an excel spreadsheet, which doesn't seem ideal for multiple, simultaneous users. Are you saying that 1,000 users on your end are able to simultaneously access the same Excel file? Without it being corrupted? Or did you create an SQL database and link the Power App form to the server? 

Thanks!

[RobElliott]

@Tal22 
"the respective vendors don't send me to a spreadsheet environment, they send me to a form." |If your users are internal you just give them a link to the Power App. For example, our staff book desks at our different offices via a Power App. There is a link to it on our intranet and in emails. Works fine. They don't have access to the SharePoint list behind the app (other than contribute access), they just use the form and lists on the app.

"I have not looked into Dataverse as my license does not show I have access to it, but I have Common Data Services, which I am assuming is the same thing?" Yes it is. Dataverse replaced CDS. The standard Dataverse product is a premium connector which is a pain, but if you use Dataverse for Teams it's a normal connector.

In Dataverse you can create and access multiple, related tables in your app so in that respect it is the same as Access.

"Are you saying that 1,000 users on your end are able to simultaneously access the same Excel file?" Excel? No not at all, they were accessing and adding to the same SharePoint list simultaneously via a Power App. Although when I do it again next summer I'll possibly use Dataverse for Teams, the jury's out on that one - I don't have access to standalone premium dataverse so it's SharePoint or Dataverse for Teams. Not quite so sure why you think all this only works with spreadsheets.

Rob
Los Gallardos
Intranet, SharePoint and Power Platform Manager (and classic 1967 Morris Traveller driver)

[Tal22]

Thanks, this brings more clarity. FYI, the reason I think this only works with spreadsheets because that is the only file format I can select from outside the prebuilt templates. I am thinking that I am on a totally different platform than you and that I need to upgrade to 365 E5 plan to create sharable databases.