How to Integrate Canvas and Model-driven Apps with Power Apps Convergence
Power Apps Convergence lets you use Canvas and Model-driven Apps together. You can make solutions that use the best parts of both app types. This new way gives you more options to change and control your business processes. Try the unified designer and see how simple it is to start building with these new features.
Key Takeaways
Power Apps Convergence helps you put Canvas and Model-driven apps together. This makes building apps quicker and simpler.
The designer lets you change between Canvas design and Model-driven data modeling. You do not need to leave the platform.
You can use custom pages and parts in many apps. This saves time and money. It helps you finish and update apps faster.
Make a good plan for your app. Test your pages a lot. Ask users for help early. This stops problems and helps people move through the app easily.
Power Apps Convergence gives you strong tools like AI features, good security, and teamwork. You can build flexible business solutions that fit your needs.
Power Apps Convergence Overview
Unified Design Experience
The unified designer lets you use Canvas and Model-driven Apps together. You can build, change, and manage your apps in one spot. It is easy to switch between Canvas drag-and-drop and Model-driven data modeling. You do not have to leave the platform to do this.
The Power Apps Convergence platform has several main parts that help you make apps:
Power Apps: Make custom apps with little or no code.
Power Automate: Set up business workflows and processes.
Power BI: See and study your data to make better choices.
Power Virtual Agents: Create chatbots to help users and answer questions.
These tools work with Microsoft 365, Azure, AI, and Microsoft Teams. You can use them together to get more done and work better with others.
Tip: The unified designer works for both low-code and pro-code. You can work with IT teams or business users to make the right solutions.
Key Benefits
Power Apps Convergence gives you many important benefits:
Tailored Solutions: You can make apps that fit your business needs. This helps you solve hard problems and give more value.
Cost-Effective Development: You save time and money by using both Canvas and Model-driven features. You do not need to start over for each project.
Agility and Flexibility: You can change your apps fast when your business changes. This helps you keep up in a fast market.
You will notice you can build and launch apps much faster. The table below shows some of the biggest improvements:
You also get new ways to build solutions. You can use AI planning, Copilot Studio agents, and better governance tools. The platform lets you use modular design, DevOps pipelines, and sell custom parts in the marketplace. These features help you make big business solutions faster and with more trust.
Getting Started
Accessing the Designer
You can start making integrated apps in Power Apps Convergence. The unified designer brings Canvas and Model-driven features together. This makes it easier to build custom solutions. Here are the steps to begin:
Open Power Apps. Find the Modern App Designer (Preview). This tool lets you make and add custom pages.
Use the canvas designer to build custom pages. The designer has a command bar. You can save and publish your work right away.
Click the New menu in a solution or in the app designer. This lets you make a custom page as a solution-aware part.
Add your custom page to one or more Power Apps apps and solutions. This helps you use pages in different projects.
Move solutions between environments by exporting and importing them. Both the model-driven app and custom pages will be ready to use.
Tip: The unified designer makes your work easier. You can switch between Canvas and Model-driven features without leaving Power Apps.
Creating or Opening an App
Before you make or open an app in Power Apps Convergence, you need to get your environment ready. You should know some important ideas first. These steps help you build strong solutions:
Learn about Power Platform administration. You will control environments and connections.
Study Microsoft Dataverse. Know about tables and entity relationships to organize data.
Look at virtual entities. These let you use finance and operations data without copying it.
Get to know Power Apps portals and how to make apps.
Turn on Power Platform integration in your environment. This gives you AI features and more options.
Check out integration tools like virtual entities, dual-write, business events, and data events. These tools link finance and operations apps with Dataverse. 7. Dual-write keeps entities like Account/Customer and Sales order updated almost instantly.
Note: When you know these steps, you can make or open apps with confidence. You will have the tools and knowledge to build integrated solutions with Power Apps Convergence.
Integration Process
Add and Customize Pages
You begin by adding pages in Power Apps Convergence. You can make custom pages with canvas app technology. Drag and drop controls to build your page. Add custom parts and change the layout to fit your needs. You can use your own branding, like headers and footers. Add page titles to make each page clear. Connect your pages to data sources such as Dataverse. This lets users see and change data right on the page. Power Fx formulas help you add logic, like moving between views or updating records. You do not need to know a lot about coding.
Tip: Try out the canvas designer to test different layouts. Add images, charts, or special controls to make your pages more fun.
Design Forms and Tables
Making forms and tables is important for your app. Use the model-driven designer to build forms that show data from your tables. First, set up tables in Dataverse. Add fields that match what your business needs. Then, design forms to collect and show this data. You can add rules, checks, and automation to keep your data correct.
Use simple forms for fast data entry.
Add sections and tabs to keep things organized.
Use colors to highlight important fields.
You can link forms to custom pages. This helps users move easily between data views and interactive pages.
Add Canvas Pages
To add Canvas pages to your model-driven app, follow these steps:
Open your model-driven app in the maker portal.
Click 'Add page' and pick 'Custom page'.
The Canvas editor opens. Make your page responsive. Add controls, connectors, and Power Fx logic if needed.
Save and publish your Custom Page.
Save and publish your model-driven app.
You can put Custom Pages in the app navigation by changing the site map. If you want to open a Custom Page as a dialog or side pane, use JavaScript and the page’s unique name. You can send parameters so the page knows about certain records. If you use PCF controls, turn on the Power Apps component framework for canvas apps in the admin portal.
Note: Custom Pages cannot go inside forms directly. Use JavaScript to open them in dialogs or panels when you need them.
Preview and Manage
After you finish your pages, preview your app to see how it works. Use the preview tool in the designer to test moving around, entering data, and custom logic. Check that your pages look good on all devices and screens. Make sure controls and data connections work right.
Test each page to see if it is easy to use.
Check rules and automation to make sure they work.
Ask users for feedback and make changes.
Managing your app means updating it and planning carefully. Always check customizations, especially after changes to your data or business. Plan for downtime when you make big changes. Upgrade your app in steps to lower risk.
Common problems to watch out for:
Not seeing how hard and costly managing apps can be.
Missing big business changes, like buying another company.
Forgetting to check customizations after data changes.
Not planning for downtime during upgrades.
To avoid these problems, look at your needs before you start. Think about rebuilding if your business has changed a lot. Check all customizations, especially when data models change. Use guides and upgrade in steps to make things easier.
By following these steps, you can build strong and flexible solutions with Power Apps Convergence. You can use the best parts of Canvas and Model-driven apps together. This gives your users a smooth experience.
Tips and Best Practices
Smooth Integration
You can connect Canvas and Model-driven features if you follow some steps. First, plan how your app will look and work. Choose which parts need Canvas pages. Pick other parts that should use Model-driven forms. The unified designer in Power Apps Convergence helps you keep things neat.
List your data sources before you start building. This stops confusion later on.
Name your pages, tables, and controls the same way each time. This makes your app simple to handle.
Test every new page as soon as you add it. Early tests help you find problems fast.
Use Power Fx formulas to add logic. You can make easy navigation or set up actions that happen by themselves.
Tip: Get your team involved early. Ask people who will use the app for their ideas. Their thoughts help you make better choices when you design.
You can also use solution-aware parts. This lets you use the same pages and controls in many apps. You save time by building once and using it again.
Common Pitfalls
You might run into problems when you connect Canvas and Model-driven features. Knowing about these problems helps you stay away from them.
If you skip planning, you may get confused. Always make a plan for your app first.
If you forget to check data connections, you might see errors. Test all your connections as you go.
If you do not listen to users, your app may not be good. Ask for feedback often.
If you make navigation too hard, users can get lost. Keep it easy and clear.
Note: If you change your data model, check all your custom pages and forms. Changes in tables or fields can change how your app works.
You can stop most problems by following these tips and using Power Apps Convergence tools. Stay neat, test a lot, and always think about your users.
Power Apps Convergence lets you build apps that match your business. The unified designer helps you make, change, and update solutions easily. Many groups see big improvements when they use this way:
AI-native tools let more people make apps.
Git integration helps teams work together and track changes.
Strong security keeps your data safe.
Unified admin tools help you manage users and places.
New learning paths help you learn about updates.
Business and IT teams work together better.
Try these features in your next project. Use new tools and keep learning to get the most from Power Apps Convergence.
FAQ
How do you add a Canvas page to a Model-driven app?
You open your Model-driven app in the maker portal. Select Add page, then choose Custom page. Design your Canvas page, save, and publish. You can then add it to your app’s navigation.
Can you use Dataverse data in both Canvas and Model-driven pages?
Yes, you can connect both page types to Dataverse tables. This lets you view and update the same data across your app. Use Dataverse connectors for Canvas pages and built-in data modeling for Model-driven pages.
What should you do if a custom page does not display correctly?
First, check your data connections and page settings. Preview the app in the designer. If the issue continues, review your Power Fx formulas and control properties. Test on different devices to ensure compatibility.
How do you manage navigation between Canvas and Model-driven pages?
You set up navigation using the site map editor for Model-driven pages. For Canvas pages, use buttons and Power Fx formulas to move between screens. Keep navigation simple so users do not get lost.
Can you reuse custom pages in multiple apps?
Yes, you can add solution-aware custom pages to different apps. This saves time and keeps your design consistent. Always test the page in each app to make sure it works as expected.