Store Camera or Pen Images for Later Retrieval?

[Migrated_User]

Content migrated from TechNet.  Post attribution to: ExCessna

Can a PowerApp store images from the camera or pen in an Excel file on OneDrive, a SharePoint list or some other data container for later retrieval? So far, I've been able to store pen and camera files as blob files and, of course, in a temporary collection that can be displayed in a gallery. I don't understand how to use blob files and more permanent storage is the goal. Is there another way to do this or is there an easy way to read back the blob files and convert them to images again?

[Migrated_User · Accepted solution]

Hi ExCessna,

If you want to store image permanently, you can try to save the images into a SharePoint list. When you use the image in future, you can read the images from SharePoint to PowerApps.

Thanks,

Wendy

[Migrated_User]

Hi Wendy,

I'm trying to capture both the images and associated text data into the same SharePoint list or library. Is this possible, or do the images have to be stored in a SharePoint Picture Library and the text in a separate list, using a unique number in each to associate the two when read back?

Thank you!

ExCessna

[Migrated_User]

Hi ExCessna,

You can save the images and associated text data into a same SharePoint list or library. It is OK.

Thanks,

Wendy

[Migrated_User]

Will there be ways to save to OneDrive in the near future?

[Migrated_User]

Hi

In one of the Template (Start from a Template) - Contacts, it shows examples on taking photo of the person and save into a image folder (in Dropbox).

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PK Hong

[Migrated_User]

Hi Wendy, Brian and PK,

I will attempt to clarify my goal and the direction I’ve been taking to accomplish it:

The app uses the camera to take a picture and draw to capture a signature. I have been able to read and write text and the camera (photo) and draw (image) data to an Excel file on personal OneDrive. The photos and images can be viewed only temporarily, while the app is running. They appear as BLOB files when retrieved from the saved Excel file.

Goal: To store images and associated text permanently in the more secure and robust SharePoint Office 365 cloud and be able to retrieve them as images (not BLOBs).

Using a SharePoint list works fine if only text fields are included in the Patch function. But, for example, including the item “SDrawing:Drawing.image” results in the error “The function Patch has some invalid arguments. The specified column ‘SDrawing’ does not exist.” On SharePoint, the column "SDrawing" is set as Hyperlink or Picture with the "Format URL" set to Picture. The same thing happens if using a Picture Library. Similar errors result if a “SinglePicture:Mugshot.photo” item is included in the Patch. How do I make this work or am I completely on the wrong track? Is my limited SharePoint knowledge the problem?

Your help is very much appreciated.

ExCessna

[Migrated_User]

PK,

Thank you. I will give it a try. Maybe the answer lies in the template.

Appreciate your help,

ExCessna

[Migrated_User · Accepted solution]

Hi

It definitely works. I had tried before and tried again just now.

The excel file:

./data_images/WIN12_Claudia_03.png
./data_images/WIN12_Asami_01.png
./data_images/WIN12_Justin_01.png
./data_images/WIN12_NuriaV_02.png

Make sure you create a folder in the dropbox, with folder name: data_images (in this case) and the title of the table header for image is: image[image] (In fact, I asked PG before any guidelines as of Project Siena, Harold, how to Store Image, Video and Audio, but until NOW, no reply and I also requested to update into PowerApps Help File}.

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PK Hong

I just found that a recent update in https://powerapps.microsoft.com/en-us/tutorials/control-add-picture/.

Excellent update from PG.  I am sure this is the ANSWER to your and MY questions, too.

Bravo!

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PK Hong

[Migrated_User]

Confirmed. I am able to save images from the camera and pen into Dropbox using:

Patch(source,Defaults(source),{image: Camera1.Photo}) and a table that includes a column named image[image]

Pen drawings can be saved too:

Patch(source,Defaults(source),{image: PenInput1.Image}) into the same table noted above.

One caveat is that the saved drawing does not have a .png extension for viewing outside PowerApps. You will need to rename it on your own. I forwarded this feedback to PG.

I don't think you could merge the two images into one jpg. However, if you keep transparency in the ink drawing, you could use this solution. Create two image boxes. Recall the original photo in one image, and recall the drawing with transparency on top.

Next I am trying to save an image using the "AddMediaButton." So far I'm not able to Patch. AddMediaButton1.Media shows up in an image box, but is not considered an "image" in Patch.

Patch(source,Defaults(source),{image: AddMediaButton1.Media}) does not work for me. Any luck on your end?