Power App user answers not saving to SharePoint List.

[smhardesty]

Hello,

I'm brand new to building apps. I've been working on an app for almost 3 weeks trying different things till I get it right.

Purpose of the app is a survey of demographics questions and numeric value measured questions i.e. patient see in office a number between 0-20, Patients seen via telehealth also requires the same type of answer. So far, I have completed the below steps.

1. Built multiple SharePoint lists. Separate list for each demographic information needed (year, month, location, job position, type of patient seen).

2. Created a Look Up list to combine all demographic lists.

3. Created 2 separate lists of questions.

4. I added the lists to the power app.

5. I used Edit Forms so users could select answers and each question requires a response.

6. Ran App Checker and all errors have been fixed.

7. App saved and published.

Problem is when I select the app from our Teams page and test the app by entering answers for each question, none of the answers I provide are saving to the original SharePoint List. I want to then pull the SharePoint list data into Power BI so my users can run queries to see how their locations are performing. 

Please help me figure out what I am doing wrong, thanks!

[Pro_User_365 · Accepted solution]

Hello @smhardesty ,

It seems like there might be an issue with the way your PowerApp is set up to submit data back to SharePoint. After filling out the form, you need to ensure that the SubmitForm() function is properly configured for your submit button's OnSelect property. Here’s a basic checklist:

1. Make sure each form's DataSource property is set to the correct SharePoint list.
2. Ensure the Item property of the form is correctly set to handle new submissions or editing of existing entries.
3. Double-check the OnSuccess property of the form to confirm that it navigates to the correct screen or performs the expected action after submission.
4. Ensure that the submit button inside the app has the SubmitForm(FormName) function in its OnSelect property, where FormName is the name of your form control.
5. Test the app while looking at the SharePoint list to see if the new entries appear.

If you've checked all these and it’s still not working, you might need to share the app with a colleague who has experience in PowerApps to review the configurations.

Once the data is saving correctly to SharePoint, you should be able to connect Power BI to your SharePoint list to analyze the data.

Note: After receiving the answer, if you find it helpful, please consider accepting it. 😊 Regards, Ali Shahzad

[smhardesty]

Thank you for your quick response.

1. Make sure each form's DataSource property is set to the correct SharePoint list. I check and all are correct.
2. Ensure the Item property of the form is correctly set to handle new submissions or editing of existing entries. Where is this located? I want it to always appear unanswered when a user enters the app.
3. Double-check the OnSuccess property of the form to confirm that it navigates to the correct screen or performs the expected action after submission. Where is this located?
4. Ensure that the submit button inside the app has the SubmitForm(FormName) function in its OnSelect property, where FormName is the name of your form control. For this I have, but is it correct? OnSelect=SubmitForm(Form2_1); SubmitForm(Form1); SubmitForm(Form1_1); SubmitForm(Form4_1); Navigate(Exit)
5. Test the app while looking at the SharePoint list to see if the new entries appear.

[Pro_User_365 · Accepted solution]

Hi @smhardesty , 

The Item property is located in the form's properties panel, which you can access by selecting the form in the PowerApps editor. If you want the form to appear unanswered, set this property to Defaults(YourSharePointListName) where YourSharePointListName is the name of your SharePoint list.

The OnSuccess property is also in the properties panel. Here you can define what happens after the form is successfully submitted, like navigating to a different screen.

Your OnSelect formula for the submit button seems to be trying to submit multiple forms. Make sure that each SubmitForm() call is for a different form that corresponds to separate SharePoint lists. After each SubmitForm() call, you should ideally have an ; to separate the actions. If you're navigating away after submission, place the navigate function last:

OnSelect = SubmitForm(Form2_1); SubmitForm(Form1); SubmitForm(Form1_1); SubmitForm(Form4_1); Navigate(ExitScreen)

Replace ExitScreen with the actual screen you want to navigate to after submission.

Make sure your forms are named correctly as referenced in the SubmitForm() function calls. Test again and check your SharePoint list for the new entries. If issues persist, reviewing the app with someone experienced in PowerApps is recommended.

Note: If you find this solution helpful, please consider accepting it. 😊

[smhardesty]

Hello,

With your help I realized what I was doing wrong and was able to fix it.

I have another question, in regard to not letting the user submit their data if something is missing. I want it to flag items not answered and highlight them red. How do I do that? Does it have something to do with "OnSuccess"?

[Pro_User_365]

To prevent users from submitting incomplete forms and to highlight unanswered questions in red, you can use the Required property of data cards in your form and the BorderThickness property to highlight missing responses. This isn't controlled by OnSuccess; rather, it's managed within each data card's properties. Here's how you can set it up:

1. Set the Required property of each data card to true to enforce that it must be filled out.
2. For each data card, set its BorderColor property to a formula that checks if the card's value is blank when the user tries to submit. For example: If(IsBlank(DataCardValue.Text), Red, DefaultBorderColor).
3. Similarly, update the BorderThickness property to increase when the field is not filled out: If(IsBlank(DataCardValue.Text), 3, 1).

   Additionally, your submit button's DisplayMode property can be set to disable the button unless all required fields are filled. You'd use a formula like:

   If(FormName.Unsaved || !FormName.Valid, DisplayMode.Disabled, DisplayMode.Edit)

   This checks if the form has unsaved changes or any invalid (required but not filled) fields before enabling the submit button.

   Lastly, you don't need to use the OnSuccess property for this validation; it's only for actions after a successful submit. Your validation logic should be tied to the DisplayMode and properties of the data cards before the submission attempt.

[smhardesty]

Hello, I'm struggling with this. Every time I try to make a change as you suggested I get a formula error.

1. I checked each Required field and they are all set to true.
2. For each data card, set its BorderColor property to a formula that checks if the card's value is blank when the user tries to submit. For example: If(IsBlank(DataCardValue.Text), Red, DefaultBorderColor). 
   • The current fx I have listed is If(IsBlank(Parent.Error), Parent.BorderColor, Color.Red) will this work?
3. Similarly, update the BorderThickness property to increase when the field is not filled out: If(IsBlank(DataCardValue.Text), 3, 1).
   • When I add If(IsBlank(DataCardValue.Text), 3, 1) to the BorderThickness property it gives me an error and the box disappers completely.

4. Additionally, your submit button's DisplayMode property can be set to disable the button unless all required fields are filled. You'd use a formula like:

   If(FormName.Unsaved || !FormName.Valid, DisplayMode.Disabled, DisplayMode.Edit)

   This checks if the form has unsaved changes or any invalid (required but not filled) fields before enabling the submit button.

   • My submit Button currently has OnSelect = SubmitForm(Form2); SubmitForm(Form3); Navigate(Exit), so do I add this exactly to infront of my first SubmitForm If(FormName.Unsaved || !FormName.Valid, DisplayMode.Disabled, DisplayMode.Edit)?

[smhardesty]

I sent the app to someone to try from where it's published but they told me.

I got the link for the power app but I couldn't get the drop downs to work. Do I need to actually open it on teams instead? This is the error I am getting.

"power app error.PNG"

[smhardesty]

Hello, are you still able to assist me with the additional questions I submitted?

[Pro_User_365]

@smhardesty ,

Please open new ticket them i will help you.