How to Integrate Canvas and Model-Driven Pages with Power Apps Convergence

You don’t have to pick between Canvas and Model-Driven apps anymore. Power apps convergence lets you blend both styles, so you can create solutions that fit your needs. You get more options for design and development. You can build apps faster and make them easier to use. Ready to follow a step-by-step way to create better apps? Let’s get started!

Key Takeaways

• Power Apps Convergence lets you use Canvas and Model-Driven apps together. This gives you more ways to design and more choices.

• You can make custom pages easily with the built-in designer. This helps you build apps that work on any device.

• Good navigation between Canvas and Model-Driven pages makes the app easy to use. It helps users find things and keeps the app simple.

• Training often and having clear guides helps your team learn new features. This makes it easier for everyone to use new tools.

• Linking different data sources keeps your app’s information current. This helps your business make better choices.

Power Apps Convergence Overview

What Is Power Apps Convergence

Power apps convergence changes how you make business apps. You do not have to pick just Canvas or Model-Driven apps. Now, you can use both together in one place. This helps you work easier and gives you more choices.

Power apps convergence links Finance and Operations apps with Microsoft Power Platform. You can use tools from Dynamics 365 and control everything from the Power Platform admin center. More management tools will move here soon, so things will get even easier for you.

Here is why power apps convergence is special:

• You can use Canvas and Model-Driven Pages in one solution.

• Custom pages let you use Canvas and Model-Driven features together.

• The canvas designer helps you make custom pages for any device.

• Custom pages fit into model-driven app navigation, so users can switch between page types easily.

Benefits for App Design

Power apps convergence gives you many good things for app design. You can make apps that look and work how you want. Your solution can be stronger and more flexible.

• You can add custom pages to your solution and use them in more than one app.

• You can make pages that work on different screen sizes, so users always have a good experience.

• You can connect Canvas and Model-Driven Pages, so your app works better.

Power platform convergence gives you one place to manage your apps and solutions. You save time and can focus on what matters most. You get the best of both, and your users get a better app.

Setting Up Power Platform Convergence

Create a Converged App

Ready to build your first converged app? You can follow these steps to get started. The process is simple, and you’ll see how everything comes together.

1. Map your stakeholders. The system helps you spot the roles you need. You can add or adjust them to fit your team.

2. Add the necessary data. The Plan Designer suggests Dataverse tables, like ones for tracking expenses. You can tweak these or use them as they are.

3. Create user experiences. Microsoft’s AI brings all the pieces together. You get Power Apps and Power Automate flows that match your needs.

Tip: Before you start, make sure you know about Dataverse, tables, and entity relationships. These basics help you set up your app the right way.

Here’s what you should have ready:

• Admin access to Power Platform

• Understanding of Dataverse and tables

• Knowledge of Power Apps portals

• Experience with creating and editing virtual tables

Initial Configuration

Once you’ve created your app, you need to set it up for your users. You might run into a few challenges, but you can handle them with the right approach.

Common challenges:

• Too many separate tools can make things confusing.

• Teams may struggle to see everything in one place.

• Adapting to new features takes time.

You can solve these by:

• Building a central hub for resources and troubleshooting.

• Training your team and refreshing their skills often.

• Keeping onboarding materials easy to find.

Note: Treat onboarding as an ongoing process. Show checklists when users sign up, and let them skip if they want. Use tooltips to guide users through new features. Send emails to remind users about updates.

Best practices for activation:

1. Remind users about features they might forget.

2. Guide users with tooltips and hotspots.

3. Use emails to bring back users who drop off.

4. Focus on the steps that matter most.

5. Break tasks into simple checklist items.

6. Keep onboarding materials handy.

7. Improve your process based on feedback.

With these steps and tips, you can set up your converged app smoothly and help your team succeed.

Canvas and Model Driven App Integration

Bringing canvas and model driven app pages together opens up a whole new world for your business solutions. You can mix the best features from both styles and create a seamless experience for your users. Let’s walk through how you can add canvas pages, model driven pages, and set up navigation that feels natural.

Add Canvas Pages

You can add a canvas page to your model driven app using the integrated designer. This tool lets you build custom pages that look and work just how you want. Here’s a simple way to get started:

1. Start by creating a new model driven app in Microsoft Dynamics 365. You can also edit an existing app using the integrated designer.

2. Add a new page and pick 'Custom' as the page type. This lets you design a canvas app right inside your model driven app.

3. Use the canvas app designer to build your page. You might use the Accounts table and add shapes for headings. Try different colors to make your page pop.

4. Save, publish, and close the designer. You’ll go back to the model driven app designer.

5. Publish your model driven app and open it in your browser. You’ll see your new canvas page in action.

6. If you make changes to your custom page in the canvas app designer, publish the page again. Then, re-publish any model driven app that uses that page.

Tip: The integrated designer makes it easy to switch between canvas and model driven app pages. You can use drag-and-drop tools and see your changes right away.

Canvas pages let you create unique user experiences. You can add charts, buttons, and images. You can also connect to different data event sources, so your users always see the latest info.

Add Model Driven Pages

Adding model driven pages is just as simple with the integrated designer. You can build pages that follow your business rules and keep your data event organized. Here’s how you do it:

1. Create a new custom page in your model driven app.

2. Use drag-and-drop to add controls and components. You can add lists, forms, and dashboards.

3. Make your page stand out with branding. Add headers, footers, and your company logo.

4. Connect your page to data event sources like Dataverse. This keeps your info up to date.

5. Add a button that takes users to the project requests view. You can use Power Fx to set up custom logic.

6. Use the navigate function to link to specific views or other pages.

Model driven pages help you keep your data event secure and easy to manage. You can set up rules for who can see each page. You can also make sure users only see the data event they need.

Navigation and Linking

Navigation is key when you blend canvas and model driven app pages. You want users to move between pages without getting lost. The integrated designer gives you several ways to set up navigation.

• On the command bar, select Add page. Pick the content type you want, like a custom page or a model driven page.

• Use the JavaScript function Xrm.Navigation.navigateTo to move to custom pages. You can pass a recordId and other parameters to show the right data event.

• You can also use the Navigate() function in your canvas app. This lets you link to model driven pages or open a custom page from a button.

• Override the open action from grid views. Instead of opening the default form, you can show a custom page for a read-only experience.

Note: You can set up navigation so users move from a canvas app page to a model driven page with just one click. This makes your app feel smooth and easy to use.

Security matters when you set up integration. Make sure users have the right security roles, like System Administrator or System Customizer. Check that users have Read access to model driven apps on the Customization tab. Limit app visibility by applying specific security roles. You can even hide apps from all users if you need to.

Here are some common ways people use canvas and model driven app integration:

1. Complex enterprise scenarios: Big companies use model driven app pages for standardized data event management. They use canvas app pages for a custom user experience.

2. Hybrid approach: You get better user adoption with easy designs. You keep data event safe and can connect to outside data event sources.

3. Real-world example: A manufacturing company uses model driven app pages for production data event. Field operators use canvas app pages for quick data event input.

Tip: The integrated designer helps you build apps that fit your business. You can mix canvas and model driven app pages, set up smart navigation, and keep your data event secure.

Customization and Data Sources

Customize Forms

You want your finance operations app to work well for your team. Changing forms helps you make a design that fits your business. Power Apps gives you many ways to change forms for your finance operations entity. Here is a quick look at what you can change:

You can use these choices to make a custom canvas page for your finance operations design. Want to make your forms even better? Try these ideas:

1. Make your forms work on any device for a smooth finance operations experience.

2. Let users save their finance operations preferences for each entity.

3. Suggest changes based on how users interact with your finance operations entity.

4. Keep finance operations data safe and follow privacy rules.

5. Ask for feedback and use it to improve your finance operations entity forms.

6. Teach users about all the finance operations customization options for their entity.

Tip: When you design forms for your finance operations entity, always think about how users will use them in real life. Good design makes your finance operations model easy to use and helps your business grow.

Manage Data Sources

Connecting the right data sources to your finance operations app is important. You can link your finance operations entity to many types of data, like cloud services or databases. Here is a table to show what you can use:

To connect your finance operations entity to a data source, you follow these steps:

1. The Power Platform service sends a request to the Power Apps Resource Provider for your finance operations entity.

2. The Resource Provider asks the API Hub to set up a connection for your finance operations entity.

3. The service sends a query to the API Management connector for your finance operations entity.

4. The connector checks with the consent service for permission to access your finance operations data entity.

5. The consent service gives credentials to the connector for your finance operations entity.

6. The connector stores these credentials for future finance operations data events.

7. The connector sends your query to the external data source for your finance operations entity.

8. The data source returns the data to the connector for your finance operations entity.

9. The connector passes the data back to the Power Platform cluster for your finance operations entity.

Handling many finance operations data sources can be hard. Here are some best ways to help your business:

• Use one place to keep all finance operations entity assets.

• Use Power Automate to move finance operations data automatically.

• Make sure data formats are the same for your finance operations entity.

• Use ETL tools to put finance operations data in one system.

• Set up APIs for easy finance operations data sharing.

• Learn the rules for finance operations data protection.

• Make a map of where finance operations personal data is stored.

• Lock sensitive finance operations data with encryption.

• Only let certain people see finance operations data entity.

• Check security for your finance operations entity often.

Note: When you connect your finance operations entity to data sources, you get up-to-date information for your business. You can use Power Automate to move data events between your finance operations entity and other systems. This helps your business make better choices and keeps your finance operations model strong.

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You have learned how Power Apps Convergence lets you build apps with both canvas and model-driven pages. The converged designer helps you make solutions that work for your business. Try out new features to see what your team likes best. If you want to learn more, you can follow these steps for advanced integration:

1. Go to the Power Platform Admin Center.

2. Choose your environment and open Settings.

3. Turn on Enhanced Data Integration in Features.

4. Use the Data Integrator to set up data projects.

5. Make sure you have the right permissions.

If you want to keep learning or talk with others, check out these resources:

FAQ

How do I start using Power Apps Convergence?

You just need to open Power Apps, pick the converged app option, and follow the setup steps. The designer will guide you. You can add both Canvas and Model-Driven pages right away.

Can I use my old Canvas or Model-Driven apps?

Yes! You can bring your old apps into a converged app. Just add them as pages. This lets you keep your work and try new features at the same time.

Do I need to know how to code?

No, you do not need to code. The designer uses drag-and-drop tools. You can build pages, set up navigation, and connect data with clicks, not code.

What data sources can I connect to my app?

You can connect to many sources, like SharePoint, Excel, SQL Server, and Dataverse. The designer shows you how to link your data. You can see your info in real time.