Deep linking in PowerApps allows users to navigate directly to a specific screen within an app, bypassing the need to start from the home screen. This is particularly useful when you want to provide users with quick access to specific data or functionality. In this article, we'll walk through the process of setting up deep links in a Canvas app using SharePoint data.
Prerequisites
Before we begin, ensure you have the following:
A PowerApps license.
Basic knowledge of PowerApps and SharePoint.
A SharePoint list with data you want to display in your Canvas app.
Step-by-Step Procedure
Step 1: Create the Canvas App
Open PowerApps Studio: Go to PowerApps and sign in with your credentials.
Create a New App: Click on "Create" and select "Canvas app from blank."
Connect to SharePoint: In the Data pane, click on "Add data" and select "SharePoint." Connect to your SharePoint site and select the list you want to use.
Step 2: Design the App
Add a Gallery: Insert a gallery control to display the SharePoint list items. Set the Items property of the gallery to your SharePoint list.
Add Screens: Create multiple screens in your app. For example, a BrowseScreen to display the list, a DetailScreen to show item details, and an EditScreen to edit items.
Step 3: Set Up Navigation
Navigate to DetailScreen: On the BrowseScreen, set the OnSelect property of the gallery items to navigate to the DetailScreen and pass the selected item as a context variable.
PowerFx
Navigate(DetailScreen, Fade, {selectedItem: ThisItem})
Display Item Details: On the DetailScreen, set the Item property of the form control to the context variable selectedItem.
PowerFx
DetailForm.Item = selectedItem
Step 4: Enable Deep Linking
Get the App ID: Go to PowerApps > Apps > Select your app > Details. Copy the App ID from the details page.
Set Up the StartScreen Property: In the App object, set the StartScreen property to navigate to the appropriate screen based on the query parameter.
PowerFx
If(Param("screen") = "DetailScreen", DetailScreen, BrowseScreen)
Modify the URL: Construct the deep link URL with the App ID and query parameters. For example:
plaintext
https://apps.powerapps.com/play/{AppID}?screen=DetailScreen&itemID={ItemID}
Replace {AppID} with your app's ID and {ItemID} with the ID of the SharePoint list item you want to display.
Step 5: Test the Deep Link
Send the Deep Link: Use the constructed URL to send an email or share it with users.
Open the Link: When users click the link, the app will open directly to the DetailScreen and display the specified item.
Example
Let's say you have a SharePoint list called "Projects" with columns "Title," "Description," and "Status." You want to create a deep link that navigates directly to the details of a specific project.
Create the App: Follow the steps above to create a Canvas app connected to the "Projects" list.
Set Up Navigation: On the BrowseScreen, set the OnSelect property of the gallery items to navigate to the DetailScreen and pass the selected project.
Enable Deep Linking: Set the StartScreen property to navigate to the DetailScreen based on the query parameter.
Construct the URL:
plaintext
https://apps.powerapps.com/play/{AppID}?screen=DetailScreen&itemID=1
Replace {AppID} with your app's ID and 1 with the ID of the project you want to display.
Conclusion
Deep linking in PowerApps provides a powerful way to enhance user experience by allowing direct navigation to specific screens and data. By following the steps outlined in this article, you can set up deep links in your Canvas app using SharePoint data, making your app more efficient and user-friendly.
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