Using a Global Variable in a Patch Function

[Anonymous]

I have a working Power App that I'd like to introduce global variables so will function as a template when I need to make a copy of it.  How can I use a global variable in the patch function? I have tried replacing the Sharepoint lists name with a global variable and regardless of the syntax used it causes an error in the formula.  The code below works without issue until I use a global variable.

// Works using a string
Set( varReturnedRecord, Patch( 'Insert-SP-List-Name', ThisItem, { Status: dropdownStatusWriting.Selected, Comments: txtCommentsWriting.Text } ) );

I am setting the global variable using the App OnStart.

Set( ListNameWriters, "Insert-SP-List-Name" )

Below are several examples of what I have tried.

// Ex 1 - Error
Set( varReturnedRecord, Patch( ListNameWriters, ThisItem, { Status: dropdownStatusWriting.Selected, Comments: txtCommentsWriting.Text } ) );

// Ex 2 - Error
Set( varReturnedRecord, Patch( ' & ListNameWriters & ', ThisItem, { Status: dropdownStatusWriting.Selected, Comments: txtCommentsWriting.Text } ) );

Any recommendations are greatly appreciated.

[Anonymous]

The issue is that 'Insert-SP-List-Name' is not a string, it's an explicit reference to a SharePoint data source object. You can do what you're trying to achieve by doing this:

Set(ListNameWriters,'Insert-SP-List-Name')

But you have to use the actual SharePoint data source object. 

---
If this answered your question, please click "Accept Solution". If this helped, please Thumbs Up.

[Anonymous]

Thank you for your quick response.  I am using the same syntax as you so I don't understand your point. I set the global var to the name of the SP list, but how do I reference this list as a SharePoint data source object? Please advise.

Set( ListNameWriters, "Insert-SP-List-Name" )

[Anonymous]

You're using quotation marks, which makes it a string. You need to use apostrophes instead. Notice how mine has ' instead of "

[Anonymous]

Thanks or the clarification. So using single quotes on setting the global var worked and I can ref that var in a Filter. However I cannot ref that var in a Patch() function.  The error when I hover over the global var name in the Patch function is "The first argument of a Patch should be a collection". 

// I had this and it worked using a string 
Sort(
  Filter( 'Insert-SP-List-Name', Email = User().Email ), DueDate, Descending
)

// I referenced my new global var created using single quotes and this worked!
Sort(
  Filter( ListNameWriters, Email = User().Email ), DueDate, Descending
)

// Then I tried the new global var in a Patch() function and it did NOT work
Set( varReturnedRecord, Patch( ListNameWriters, ThisItem, { Status: dropdownStatusWriting.Selected, Comments: txtCommentsWriting.Text } ) ); 

// The Patch() function only works with a string
Set( varReturnedRecord, Patch( 'Insert-SP-List-Name', ThisItem, { Status: dropdownStatusWriting.Selected, Comments: txtCommentsWriting.Text } ) ); 

[Anonymous]

I see. I've tried doing this with ClearCollect() as well and it's the same result. Could you explain the use case for needing this feature? Maybe we can find another solution.

[Anonymous]

The app is designed to be used across different SharePoint sites. As a result, when a new SharePoint site is created they must request my app at which point I make a copy and have to update various fields in the code to make it work on the new site. I want to use a global variables for the SharePoint list names so I only have to change the names in the App OnStart.

[Anonymous]

Yeah, that's a tough one. Unfortunately I don't think there's anything that can be done for that. You can submit this feature request as an idea here:

https://powerusers.microsoft.com/t5/Power-Apps-Ideas/idb-p/PowerAppsIdeas

---
If this answered your question, please click "Accept Solution". If this helped, please Thumbs Up.

[benmashley]

You can now use the search and replace function to get this to work