SharePoint List Column Not Appearing in PowerApps per PowerApps Data Refresh

[tommyly]

So the title is sort of confusing, so please read the details below:

For this issue, I am using SharePoint Online. There are numerous ways to create new columns (the following is probably not an exhaustive list):

1. Go to SharePoint Custom List Settings and add column
2. On the list view page, click "+ Add column"
3. On the Quick Edit list view page, click the "+" sign (which appears to be shorthand for + Add column)

Example Scenario: I create a PowerApps called "MyPuppiesApp", which allows users to append records of puppies to my PuppyList SharePoint custom list. I later decide that I want to include "Furry" as a Boolean field. If I add it using listed method (above) 1 or 2, a PowerApps refresh will work as designed. If I use listed method 3 (adding column via Quick Edit view), PowerApps will never, ever recognize it, no matter how many times I refresh PowerApps or whether I exit Quick Edit view, subsequently refresh my browser after exiting Quick View, or populate that field with data.

In fact, in an effort to test, I've deliberately and knowingly created a column using method 3 and then subsequently created columns using methods 1 and 2, and a PowerApps data refresh will update my data source with the columns from methods 1 and 2, but the column from method 3 remains nonexistent in PowerApps--even though it was created (albeit in Quick View) chronologically before the other additional columns.

I'm not sure if this is isolated to me, but maybe some users can try this to confirm. Thanks.

[v-micsh-msft]

Hi @tommyly,

Do you mean the only option 3 is not available to see the changes in PowerApps?

Instead of Data source refresh, have you tried to remove the SharePoint list data source, and then add it again?

Add another data source

Regards,

Michael

[R3dKap]

Hi @tommyly,

I was able to create columns using method no 3 and retreive them in PowerApps using the Refresh button.

Here is my scenario:

1. I created a new list called Test
2. I customized the list's form in PowerApps
3. I published the customized form from PowerApps
4. In SharePoint, I activated the QuickEdit mode on the list
5. I created a new text column called Col1
6. I entered some data
7. I quit the QuickEdit mode
8. I went back to my PowerApps tab and clicked the Refresh button
9. The column Col1 appeared in the list of available columns for the Test list datasource

Note: I took a glance at the columns itself in the list properties and noticed that column names are based on a 4-letters random auto-generated code (my Col1 column internal name was rzbl)... strange... why not...

What is the type of column you create using method no 3?

[tommyly]

Yes, I tried tried removing the dataset (linked to SharePoint Online custom list) and then adding it again. The column remains invisible. Every other column created every other way is visible for me. Anyhow, if nobody else is experiencing this glitch, then maybe it's isolated to me or my specific environment.

[tommyly]

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@R3dKap wrote:

Hi @tommyly,

I was able to create columns using method no 3 and retreive them in PowerApps using the Refresh button.

Note: I took a glance at the columns itself in the list properties and noticed that column names are based on a 4-letters random auto-generated code (my Col1 column internal name was rzbl)... strange... why not...

What is the type of column you create using method no 3?

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I created text (for method 3). If it's working for you then maybe it's isolated to me. I'm not sure. I'm using SharePoint Online as well, so it shouldn't have anything to do with my network environment. I don't know anything about the auto-generated code, but possibly that is affecting this?

Anyhow, there are 2 other ways of creating columns, so it's not like this is a showstopper. I just thought I'd point it out as a possible glitch.

[bvcitro]

I'm experiencing this same issue. Arg.

[AJ_vizMan]

I am also experiencing the same issue. I have added new column using "+ Add Column" and few columns are appearing in power apps and few columns are not. Not sure why this is happening. I guess this is something related with list settings.

Would appreciate if, anyone can help on this please.

[alberto_rova]

same issue!

[ramsabi]

Same issue.

[tommyly]

It's been awhile since I wrote this post, but I think the issue is that when you create a connection to Powerapps, the meta-information (e.g. columns and records) is cached. When you do a Refresh command, you are updating the cached records. But when you refresh the connector, it doesn't always refresh the columns.

I've found some inconsistent success with just removing the SharePoint Online connector to my Powerapps completely and then adding it back in. That way, any column changes that had occurred are recached and usually appear in PowerApps. I hope that helps.