Datasources in various environments

[IncursioML1]

Hi All

In beginning to have a separate environment for test and production - can I ask what I need to do with the data sources?

Say I have a canvas app in 'Production' environment and the same canvas app in 'Test' environment - I have both of the canvas apps linked to a SharePoint List.  

Do I basically need to copy the SharePoint List and then repoint the canvas app that is in 'Test' environment to that newly created SharePoint list? (which is a copy of the original).

The thing that stinks is if I do this, doesn't all the naming convention get messed up in PowerApps?  Is there something that would automatically fix this if I repoint datasources?  Is there a better way to do this?

Just looking for best way to tackle this.

Thanks

[HSheild]

Hi @IncursioML1 

Have you looked at datasource environment variables to help with this?

The following article describes a scenario which is very similar to yours…

https://powerapps.microsoft.com/en-us/blog/announcing-data-source-environment-variables/ 

[IncursioML1]

Thanks let me look into this.  I think one of the challenges here is that I'm working through as a user and don't have access to some of the admin tools of the power platform.  This does look like it so let me go through and work with the IT team here to see how to set this up.  I'd figure there'd be a way to do this without having to re-work from scratch.

[DeviKrishna]

Hi @IncursioML1 ,

As far as the SharePoint List - you need to take a copy as the test environment data would be different and the prod environment data would be different.

To associate them in the flow and canvas apps for each environment, we can do it without altering the flow and apps by using environment variables. 

Login to https://make.powerapps.com

Navigate to Solutions -> Add New->More->Environment variables

Create an environment variable for Site 

Now you can create one more environment variable for the List ( under this site)

You will notice default and current site values - Default will be used when you don't define a current value.

You can use the same variables in all environment - and simply change the current value in each environment.

In flows - You can simply use this environment variables by calling custom value,

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