Is it possible to have PowerApps update the choice options for a SharePoint choice column?

[ngreen]

To be clear, I am not trying to update data that has been submitted to the list, but rather the list settings itself. I'm trying to make an app that can allow a user to quickly clear the current column's choices and add new ones and then set the default choice as well. I'm playing around with this, but I'm not entirely sure if it's even possible.

[mdevaney]

@ngreen 

No, this is not possible to do.  The choice options must be changed in SharePoint.

The workaround is to make a new 'helper' list in SharePoint containing all of the possible options with 2 columns: 'OptionName' and 'IsDefault'.  This can be connected to the dropdown to supply choices.  Also, you should change the column type in the original list to 'single line text'

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[Anonymous]

It is not possible, but what you can do is leave the choice field as a text line and in PowerApps place a Dropbox and allow manual values ​​to be entered!

Or, make another list and put the options you want there, then just calling the list in DropBox, if you want to delete, make a screen to include, change or delete these options!

Conclusion, I would do with a Foreign Key, two lists

[ngreen]

Can you explain the work around in more detail? I don't want to make you make the whole solution for me, but I'm confused as to how this would work and connect in PowerApps.

[Anonymous]

You will create a table to put the options that the selector will have

For example

ListDropDown

Title |
Juice
Fruit
Sugar

--------

In your main list, you will need to make a Foreign Key referenced to "ListDropDown"!

Whenever you want to add, update or remove items from the 'ListDropDown' you can do manual or create a screen on your App to insert these options

Then just calling the selector(ListDropDown) list to pull the options you want to appear to the user!

[v-xida-msft · Accepted solution]

Hi @ngreen ,

Do you want to add new Choice options to the Choice field in your SP List through PowerApps app?

If you want to add new Choice options to the Choice field in your SP List itself through PowerApps app, I afraid that there is no way to achieve your needs in PowerApps currently.

As an alternative solution, you could consider add custom option value via typing search text within the Choice field ComboBox directly. The screenshot as below:

Set the OnStart property of App to following:

Clear(ChoiceCollection);
ClearCollect(ChoiceCollection, Choices([@'Your SP List'].ChoiceField));
ForAll(
       Filter(Distinct('Your SP List', 'Trip Status'.Value),!IsBlank(Result)),
       If(
           Not(Result in ChoiceCollection.Value),
           Collect(ChoiceCollection, Result)
       )
)

Set the Update property of the Choice field Data card to following:

If(
    !IsBlank(DataCardValue15.Selected),
    DataCardValue15.Selected,
    !IsBlank(DataCardValue15.SearchText),
    {
        Value: DataCardValue15.SearchText
    }
)

Set the Items property of the Choice field ComboBox to following:

ChoiceCollection

Set the OnSuccess property of Edit form to following:

Clear(ChoiceCollection);
ClearCollect(ChoiceCollection, Choices([@'Your SP List'].ChoiceField));
ForAll(
       Filter(Distinct('Your SP List', 'Trip Status'.Value),!IsBlank(Result)),
       If(
           Not(Result in ChoiceCollection.Value),
           Collect(ChoiceCollection, Result)
       )
);
Back()

Please take a try with above solution, then re-load your app, check if it could help in your scenario.

Best regards,

[Freya009]

Unfortunately, there is no intuitive way to update choice and lookup columns in SharePoint from PowerApps. The following should work if you disallow multiple selections for the column in SharePoint. ... Let's say your SharePoint list (MyList) has a choice column (MyChoiceColumn) with 3 choices: Choice A, Choice B, Choice C.

[v-xida-msft]

Hi @ngreen ,

Have you taken a try with the solution I provided above?

Currently, there is no solution or function supported to update the Choice field available options within your SP List itself through PowerApps app.

On your side, you could consider take a try with above solution I provided to add custom option to the Choice filed on canvas app side (this custom option would not be saved as additional option of the Choice field in your SP List itself), and then you could reference the custom option when you click the Choice field ComboBox in your Edit form.

If the solution I provided above is helpful in your scenario, please consider go ahead to click "Accept as Solution" to identify this thread as Solved.

Best regards,

[ngreen]

@Anonymous ,

Sorry for the delay on responding. The covid-19 situation is causing an overload of cases to our help desk. 

You solution with the two lists seems to be the best method for me to proceed with. But I'm having still having some trouble getting it to work. Can you explain the part with the foreign key and linking the two lists?

[Anonymous]

I need this solution as well. Not overly keen on a separate list but I guess it works. I wonder if this could be done via Flow, maybe using "Send a HTTP request ..."? Does anyone know? I might have to see if it can be done 🙂