Using Microsoft 365 - Power Platform
- Mark Howell
- William Johnson
Power Platform is a service for building and using custom business apps that connect to your data and work across the web and mobile - without the time and expense of custom software development. Power Platform includes Microsoft Power Apps and Power Automate.
Requesting support for complex data connections
Power Apps is a no-code/low-code platform for building apps that builds off of concepts similar to formulas in an Excel workbook such as SUM and TEXT. You can use Power Apps to build simple solutions like vehicle inspection forms and status reports or complex business solutions for purchasing processes and inventory management.
Simple solutions using data connectors such as Excel to store data from the submission of the app do not necessarily require Technology Services Technical Support. However, if you are wanting to use more complex data connectors like SharePoint Online lists, Common Data Service or Office 365, then it is recommended that you submit a ticket request into the Technology Services Help Center. This will begin the process to ensure that your request is vetted and approved.
If you have any questions, you may submit a service ticket by emailing technologyservices@ssdmo.org, visit the SSD Help Center at https://jira.ssdmo.org or call the Service Desk at 314.989.8686.
Power Apps and Power Automate are Office 365 applications and requires every SSD staff member to sign in using their SSD UPN and password. For more help with accessing Office 365, please go to Logging into Office 365 and Outlook (Email) and return to this page.
Power Platform availability
Microsoft Power Apps and Power Automate is a multi-device platform.
Power Apps and Power Automate may be accessed through the web application at https:/www.office.com. Sign in with your SSD username and password. The web applications provides access to all your Power canvas for creating and developing apps, the Power automate workflow tools and the ability to access any Power Platform applications throughout the district which have been shared with you without the need to download an application to a PC or Mac.
Power Apps has a mobile application which can be used on the go. You may download this application here, https://powerapps.microsoft.com/en-us/downloads/
Power Automate has a mobile application which can be used on the go. You may download this application here, https://flow.microsoft.com/en-us/ . Scroll to the bottom of the page for the downloads.
Adding a new Power App
In this scenario, the user will be using a blank canvas and the SharePoint connector.
On the Office 365 home page click on the All Apps button to expand the list.
Click on the Power Apps button.
Select the Create app from blank.
Enter in a App name and click the Create button.
Click on the Data Connector button.
Enter SharePoint in the search box and click the SharePoint connector.
Click the Connect button.
Enter in any SharePoint URL into the field. This can be a Teams or SSD Life site, you have access as a member. Click the Connect button.
Select the list(s) from the available lists shown you want to connect to. Click the Connect button.
You are not ready to begin designing your new app. See the resources below for help with design.
Adding a new Power Automate flow
In this scenario, the user will be using a template created by Microsoft and connecting it to a SharePoint online list they are a member of.
On the Office 365 home page click on the All Apps button to expand the list.
Click on the Power Automate button.
Scroll down the page and select the Send a customized email when a file is added template.
Click the Get Started button.
Click the Continue button
Select Enter custom value from the Site Address drop-down.
Enter in any SharePoint URL into the field. This can be a Teams or SSD Life site, you have access as a member.
Select the library you want to receive an email when something is added from the Library Name drop-down.
Scroll down and click the Save button.
A user has added a document to the library. Now you can go check to see if your automate flow is working.
Go to the waffle menu and click on the Outlook app.
Click on your new email from the flow. An item has been added and you may click on the URL in your email to go directly to the file.
Power App and Power Automate guides
Below are a list of links to knowledge base articles from the Microsoft Training Center.