cancel
Showing results for 
Search instead for 
Did you mean: 
Reply

Uploading images to SharePoint list without using Flow

Hello,

This is probably already known to you, but I learned about it yesterday so someone else migth as well find the method useful.

Problem: Taking a photo using the camera in a canvas app normally means that you must use a Flow to upload the photo to SharePoint.

Problem 2: When displaying photos from SharePoint in a canvas app most of the times means that the photo is loaded directly from SharePoint and not bu using the SharePoint connector which gives you permissions related errors in some cases.

Solution:

A really simple app with one Image Upload and one Button

 

The OnSelect code for the Button

Set(ImageBinaryRaw, JSON(UploadedImage1.Image , IncludeBinaryData));
Set(ImageBinary,Mid(ImageBinaryRaw, Find(",", ImageBinaryRaw)+1, Len(ImageBinaryRaw)-Find(",", ImageBinaryRaw)-1));
Patch(ImageUploadTest,Defaults(ImageUploadTest),{Title:"Test", Base64Image: ImageBinary});
Reset(AddMediaButton1)

 

This is what the SharePoint list looks like: 

 

image3.JPG

image2.JPG

This is the result screen:

 

image4.JPG

Its a gallery with an image control. The code for the image control:

 

"data:image/jpg;base64," & ThisItem.Base64Image

 

Quite simple! 🙂

 

27 REPLIES 27

I've actually figured it out! I split the data into two sources. 1) My primary data source that my gallery references, and 2) a data source that houses the base64 image data.

I then use a Lookup function to retrieve the corresponding records in both my primary and secondary data sources to store the data for the images. The gallery now loads quickly as it's not trying to parse columns with giant text strings, and the lookup function appears to retrieve the image data for the correct record very quickly and display the correct thumbnails. (I've created 300 records in my image data source list each with 10 columns of base64 data and so far so good. It was necessary to hide the base64 Image columns in my SharePoint list so the list would load in SharePoint). This is a very basic explanation, but if you or any other forum member wants me to elaborate I'd be happy to. I understand you're using an attachment field now, but for my use case this wasn't practical.

@cfebvre  please elaborate

Hi @ACCDEVACC,

 

Here's the full solution. For extra context, you can read my other forum post about this subject here:

https://powerusers.microsoft.com/t5/Building-Power-Apps/What-is-the-BEST-way-to-upload-images-to-a-S...

 

Okay, I believe I've finally worked it out. I've tested it pretty extensively now and I think I have it.

 

There's a bit involved, so I will take everyone through step by step.

Thanks to user MagnusGöransson who gave me the original inspiration for this idea from this forum post:

https://powerusers.microsoft.com/t5/Building-Power-Apps/Uploading-images-to-SharePoint-list-without-...

 

Step 1) Split your datasources

 

The primary issue with Magnus's method was that attempting to store all that base64 data into a single data source meant that loading it in a gallery (in PowerApps) was impossible. The gallery just wouldn't load if you had 30+ items in your datasource with base64 strings in each item.

 

For this example I'll assume everything in your app comes from 1 primary datasource that contains everything. What you will need to do is split your datasource so that your Base64 string column is housed in it's own datasource, while everything else is in your primary datasource (text columns, choice columns etc).

 

Your secondary image datasource will look like this:

 

Your Title column should be a signle line of text column that contains a digit that mirrors your primary datasource ID column. Your Base64 columns are Multiline text columns.Your Title column should be a signle line of text column that contains a digit that mirrors your primary datasource ID column. Your Base64 columns are Multiline text columns.

 

Your Title column should be a single line of text column that contains a digit that mirrors your primary datasource ID column. Your Base64 columns are Multiline text columns.

 

Step 2) Hide your Base64 columns in Sharepoint

 

Once you have determined how many images you will need to store per form item in your app ( I need to store up to ten images per form item), and created that amount of columns in your secondary datasource, it will be necessary to hide those columns in your secondary datasource. If you don't hide them, the Sharepoint list won't load when you try to navigate to it in Sharepoint.

 

Step 3) Load both your datasources into PowerApps

If you haven't got one already, you'll need a custom card in your form, with an Add Image Control for each image.

 

*You'll also need a view only Datacard in your form that refers to the ID of the item in question*

Mine is called 'TextIDFormTextField'

 

It will look something like this:

Note the naming conventions of controls in the sidebar, and insert your own labels in the formula.Note the naming conventions of controls in the sidebar, and insert your own labels in the formula.

 

 

Step 4) Use this formula

 

 

 

Set(ImageBinaryRaw, JSON(Image001Thumbnail.Image , IncludeBinaryData));
Set(ImageBinary,Mid(ImageBinaryRaw, Find(",", ImageBinaryRaw)+1, Len(ImageBinaryRaw)-Find(",", ImageBinaryRaw)-1));
Patch(ImageListExample, LookUp(ImageListExample, Title = TextIDFormTextField.Text) ,{Image001: Concatenate("data:image/jpg;base64,", ImageBinary)});

 

 

 

 

You'll need to replace 'Image001Thumbnail' (Grey Thumbnail box in screenshot above) and 'ImageListExample' (Secondary Datasource). Please note: the forum doesn't like the 'data:image' string in the formula above, refer to screenshot ^^

 

Step 5) What the heck does this do, exactly?

Okay, so what this formula does is it looks up the secondary datasoucre and finds the item whose 'Title' column matches the ID of the primary data source list item. Then it patches the Base64 data into the appropriate Base64 column of the found item in the secondary data source.

 

Step 6) Viewable Thumbnails

The last step to ensure you've got this working right (and to give visual feedback to the end user that they've stored the image and can look at it again any time they open the item in question), is to have the thumbnail display the correct image.

Use this formula:

 

 

 

If(IsBlank(Image001AddButton.Media), LookUp(ImageListExample, Title = TextIDFormTextField.Text, Image001), Image001AddButton.Media)

 

 

 

 

Here we are once again looking up the secondary data source, cross-referencing the ID of the primary list item with the Title of the secondary list item, then pulling in the Base64 string into the thumb. 

 

And Voila, it works:

 

Yes, I am a massive nerd.Yes, I am a massive nerd.

 

EDIT: I should mention that this means when you load your primary datasource into a gallery in your PowerApp, it will not try to load the Base64 column from the secondary datasource. This load will only occur when you open the item in question, and so far, the LookUp function seems to load image thumbs quickly. I've tried with 500+ items, each with base64 strings, and haven't encountered any serious clunkiness.

THANK YOU

 

After hours of exhaustive searching and trial & error, this is the first tutorial I've found that actually WORKS. 🎉

You are welcome 🙂

Gorilla_8
Memorable Member
Memorable Member

Why is it saving "nul" here

 

Gorilla_8_0-1643220013328.png

 

hpyf
Frequent Visitor

Amazing method, it works for me but "data:image/jpg;base64," & ThisItem.Base64Image this code didnt work. the image uploaded to my SP list but in my result gallery it doesnt show up 

MustH
Helper IV
Helper IV

Hi @MagnusGöransson 

 @adyboon 

Thanks for your wonderful solution!! I really appreciate that.

well, I have a question I have a SharePoint list with few data columns and 4 image columns ( because user will add 4 different images) per item.

How can I use Add picture control with the Form which contains Data and  add pictures and then save the data to SharePoint List...

Helpful resources

Announcements

Community will be READ ONLY July 16th, 5p PDT -July 22nd

Dear Community Members,   We'd like to let you know of an upcoming change to the community platform: starting July 16th, the platform will transition to a READ ONLY mode until July 22nd.   During this period, members will not be able to Kudo, Comment, or Reply to any posts.   On July 22nd, please be on the lookout for a message sent to the email address registered on your community profile. This email is crucial as it will contain your unique code and link to register for the new platform encompassing all of the communities.   What to Expect in the New Community: A more unified experience where all products, including Power Apps, Power Automate, Copilot Studio, and Power Pages, will be accessible from one community.Community Blogs that you can syndicate and link to for automatic updates. We appreciate your understanding and cooperation during this transition. Stay tuned for the exciting new features and a seamless community experience ahead!

Summer of Solutions | Week 4 Results | Winners will be posted on July 24th

We are excited to announce the Summer of Solutions Challenge!   This challenge is kicking off on Monday, June 17th and will run for (4) weeks.  The challenge is open to all Power Platform (Power Apps, Power Automate, Copilot Studio & Power Pages) community members. We invite you to participate in a quest to provide solutions in the Forums to as many questions as you can. Answers can be provided in all the communities.    Entry Period: This Challenge will consist of four weekly Entry Periods as follows (each an “Entry Period”)   - 12:00 a.m. PT on June 17, 2024 – 11:59 p.m. PT on June 23, 2024 - 12:00 a.m. PT on June 24, 2024 – 11:59 p.m. PT on June 30, 2024 - 12:00 a.m. PT on July 1, 2024 – 11:59 p.m. PT on July 7, 2024 - 12:00 a.m. PT on July 8, 2024 – 11:59 p.m. PT on July 14, 2024   Entries will be eligible for the Entry Period in which they are received and will not carryover to subsequent weekly entry periods.  You must enter into each weekly Entry Period separately.   How to Enter: We invite you to participate in a quest to provide "Accepted Solutions" to as many questions as you can. Answers can be provided in all the communities. Users must provide a solution which can be an “Accepted Solution” in the Forums in all of the communities and there are no limits to the number of “Accepted Solutions” that a member can provide for entries in this challenge, but each entry must be substantially unique and different.    Winner Selection and Prizes: At the end of each week, we will list the top ten (10) Community users which will consist of: 5 Community Members & 5 Super Users and they will advance to the final drawing. We will post each week in the News & Announcements the top 10 Solution providers.  At the end of the challenge, we will add all of the top 10 weekly names and enter them into a random drawing.  Then we will randomly select ten (10) winners (5 Community Members & 5 Super Users) from among all eligible entrants received across all weekly Entry Periods to receive the prize listed below. If a winner declines, we will draw again at random for the next winner.  A user will only be able to win once overall. If they are drawn multiple times, another user will be drawn at random.  Individuals will be contacted before the announcement with the opportunity to claim or deny the prize.  Once all of the winners have been notified, we will post in the News & Announcements of each community with the list of winners.   Each winner will receive one (1) Pass to the Power Platform Conference in Las Vegas, Sep. 18-20, 2024 ($1800 value). NOTE: Prize is for conference attendance only and any other costs such as airfare, lodging, transportation, and food are the sole responsibility of the winner. Tickets are not transferable to any other party or to next year’s event.   ** PLEASE SEE THE ATTACHED RULES for this CHALLENGE**   Week 1 Results: Congratulations to the Week 1 qualifiers, you are being entered in the random drawing that will take place at the end of the challenge. Community MembersNumber of SolutionsSuper UsersNumber of Solutions @anandm08  23 @WarrenBelz  31 @DBO_DV  10 @Amik  19 AmínAA 6 @mmbr1606  12 @rzuber  4 @happyume  7 @Giraldoj  3@ANB 6 (tie)   @SpongYe  6 (tie)     Week 2 Results: Congratulations to the Week 2 qualifiers, you are being entered in the random drawing that will take place at the end of the challenge. Community MembersSolutionsSuper UsersSolutions @anandm08  10@WarrenBelz 25 @DBO_DV  6@mmbr1606 14 @AmínAA 4 @Amik  12 @royg  3 @ANB  10 @AllanDeCastro  2 @SunilPashikanti  5 @Michaelfp  2 @FLMike  5 @eduardo_izzo  2   Meekou 2   @rzuber  2   @Velegandla  2     @PowerPlatform-P  2   @Micaiah  2     Week 3 Results: Congratulations to the Week 3 qualifiers, you are being entered in the random drawing that will take place at the end of the challenge.   Week 3:Community MembersSolutionsSuper UsersSolutionsPower Apps anandm0861WarrenBelz86DBO_DV25Amik66Michaelfp13mmbr160647Giraldoj13FLMike31AmínAA13SpongYe27     Week 4 Results: Congratulations to the Week 4 qualifiers, you are being entered in the random drawing that will take place at the end of the challenge.   Week 4:Community MembersSolutionsSuper UsersSolutionsPower Apps DBO-DV21WarranBelz26Giraldoj7mmbr160618Muzammmil_0695067Amik14samfawzi_acml6FLMike12tzuber6ANB8   SunilPashikanti8

Check Out | 2024 Release Wave 2 Plans for Microsoft Dynamics 365 and Microsoft Power Platform

On July 16, 2024, we published the 2024 release wave 2 plans for Microsoft Dynamics 365 and Microsoft Power Platform. These plans are a compilation of the new capabilities planned to be released between October 2024 to March 2025. This release introduces a wealth of new features designed to enhance customer understanding and improve overall user experience, showcasing our dedication to driving digital transformation for our customers and partners.    The upcoming wave is centered around utilizing advanced AI and Microsoft Copilot technologies to enhance user productivity and streamline operations across diverse business applications. These enhancements include intelligent automation, AI-powered insights, and immersive user experiences that are designed to break down barriers between data, insights, and individuals. Watch a summary of the release highlights.    Discover the latest features that empower organizations to operate more efficiently and adaptively. From AI-driven sales insights and customer service enhancements to predictive analytics in supply chain management and autonomous financial processes, the new capabilities enable businesses to proactively address challenges and capitalize on opportunities.    

Updates to Transitions in the Power Platform Communities

We're embarking on a journey to enhance your experience by transitioning to a new community platform. Our team has been diligently working to create a fresh community site, leveraging the very Dynamics 365 and Power Platform tools our community advocates for.  We started this journey with transitioning Copilot Studio forums and blogs in June. The move marks the beginning of a new chapter, and we're eager for you to be a part of it. The rest of the Power Platform product sites will be moving over this summer.   Stay tuned for more updates as we get closer to the launch. We can't wait to welcome you to our new community space, designed with you in mind. Let's connect, learn, and grow together.   Here's to new beginnings and endless possibilities!   If you have any questions, observations or concerns throughout this process please go to https://aka.ms/PPCommSupport.   To stay up to date on the latest details of this migration and other important Community updates subscribe to our News and Announcements forums: Copilot Studio, Power Apps, Power Automate, Power Pages

Users online (921)