Understanding Model-Driven Apps in Dataverse for Beginners
Model-driven apps in Dataverse help groups organize business data. They also make business tasks easier to manage. These model-driven apps use a low-code way to build things. This lets people create solutions fast without needing to be tech experts. Model-driven apps are built around the data first. The app’s setup matches the data and how it connects. This gives users a steady, easy-to-use look and built-in help for everyone. Power apps made with Dataverse let companies see and change data. They can also set up automatic tasks and make better choices.
Model-driven apps work best for hard business jobs where full workflows and fast data access are very important.
Key Takeaways
Model-driven apps help organize business data. They use a data-first way to make tasks easy and the same for everyone.
These apps use Dataverse to make forms, views, and dashboards from data tables and links.
Security roles keep data safe by choosing who can see or change things. This helps protect business data.
To build model-driven apps, you set up Dataverse tables, forms, and views. Then you publish the app for people to use.
Model-driven apps are best for hard business needs.
They work well when you need strong data control, clear steps, and safe access.
Model-Driven Apps Overview
What They Are
Model-driven apps help groups handle business data and tasks. These apps start with the data in Dataverse. The app’s setup comes from this data. When someone makes a model-driven app, they first set up tables and links in Microsoft Dataverse. The app then builds forms, views, and dashboards from these tables.
Model-driven apps make work easier by giving a steady user experience. The app’s look and steps come from the data model. This means users always see the same screens and steps. Teams can follow business rules and finish their jobs more easily.
Model-driven apps have four main parts: data, user interface, logic, and visualizations. The table below lists these parts:
Model-driven apps are special because they use these parts to solve business problems. They are good for companies with lots of data and strict rules.
How They Work
Model-driven apps connect people to business data in Dataverse. First, the designer builds the data model. They set up tables, columns, and links in Dataverse. The app uses this model to make forms and views.
The steps below show how model-driven apps help users do their work:
The designer sets up the business process with stages and steps.
The app uses business process flows to guide users.
Each stage has steps that link to columns in Dataverse tables.
The designer makes a site map so users can find things in the app.
Security roles decide who can see or change data.
The app is shared by giving users the right roles and sending a link.
Users follow the steps, entering data at each stage. The app saves this data in Dataverse.
The designer can test the app to check if it works right.
Model-driven apps use a data-first setup. The app’s look and rules come from the data model. This makes the app work well on any device. The app also has built-in security to keep data safe.
Note: Model-driven apps can handle hard business needs. They have strong security, work with Dynamics 365, and can use canvas apps for more options.
Model-driven apps in Power Apps help groups make solutions that are easy to use and manage. They are best for business needs that want strong data control, clear steps, and safe access to information.
Key Features
Data-First Design
Model-driven apps are special because they start with data. The app begins with a data model in Microsoft Dataverse. Designers make tables, columns, and links before anything else. This helps groups build apps that fit their needs. Forms, views, and dashboards connect right to the data. If the data model changes, the app updates by itself. This keeps data correct and makes the app work better. Teams get apps that stay the same and are easy to use, even as needs change.
Tip: A data-first design means the app always matches real business steps. This makes it easier for people to trust and use the app every day.
Forms and Views
Forms and views let people work with data in model-driven apps. Forms help users add or change information. Views show lists of records, so it is easy to find things. These tools follow good design rules for users. For example, forms group fields in smart ways and work on many devices. Views can use colors and icons to show what is important. The Timeline control shows notes and activities from related records. This lets users see all key actions in one spot. These features help people work faster and make better choices. Custom icons, emojis, and tabs also make the app more fun and simple to use.
Security Roles
Security roles keep data safe in model-driven apps. Dataverse uses a role-based security system. Each person gets permissions based on their role. These permissions control what they can do, like read or delete records. Business units set limits for access, matching the company’s setup. Teams help manage who can see what, while field-level security protects private data. The system only lets users see what they need. Regular checks and tracking keep things safe. These features help groups build apps that protect data and help customers.
Build a Model-Driven App
Set Up Dataverse
To make a model-driven app, you need to get Dataverse ready first. There are some steps you must follow. First, you need a Power Apps license. Next, check if you have a Power Platform environment. Make sure this environment has a Dataverse database. You must have environment maker rights to build the app. You need to make at least one table in Dataverse. Add at least one column to your table. Set up a view so you can see records. Build a form for entering data into the table. You should also set up links between tables to make your data model.
Tip: When you set up Dataverse with tables, columns, and links, you build the base for all your business data and tasks.
Create Tables and Relationships
A good data model helps your app work better. You should plan your tables and links before you start building. Use Microsoft’s standard tables for common business needs. This saves time and follows best ways to do things. Only make custom tables if you really need them. Give tables and columns clear names so everyone understands. Set up one-to-many and many-to-many links to keep data neat. These links also help with automation. Security roles keep private data safe. Teams should write down how tables and links are set up. Check your setup often to keep things working well and following rules.
Use standard tables if you can.
Plan your tables before making them.
Name tables and columns clearly.
Set up links to keep data correct.
Use security roles to control who sees what.
Write down all changes and setups.
Add Forms and Views
Forms and views help people work with data. To change a view, pick the view and add fields that fit your needs. You can rename views, add notes, and set filters to show the right data. Save and publish your changes to make them live. For forms, add fields to sections and use tabs and controls to change the layout. Use the Properties tab to set how each field works. Business rules can show or hide fields based on choices. You can show different forms to different users by their roles. Keep all parts in solutions so they are easy to manage. Always save and publish to update the app.
Publish the App
Publishing lets others use your app. Start by planning your data and making a schema diagram. Use a Developer Environment to build safely. Put all parts like tables, forms, and views into solutions. Give an admin security role full rights for setup. Make sure this role is in the solution and given to the app. Turn on 'Export to Excel' so you can upload lots of data at once. After building, publish the app so changes show up. Export a managed solution as a zip file to test in another place. Use 'Open in Excel Online' for big data updates if you have permission.
Note: If you forget to publish or miss security steps, problems can happen. Always check roles and publish updates to keep your app working well.
Licensing
License Types
Model-driven apps need Dataverse to work. Because of this, you need special licenses called premium licenses. Microsoft gives two main choices for power apps. One is the per app license. This lets one person use just one app. The other is the per user license. This lets one person use as many apps as they want. Most companies pick the per user license if their team needs many apps.
Everyone who wants to use model-driven apps must get a premium license. Microsoft 365 licenses like E3 or E5 do not work for Dataverse with these apps. Only a premium license lets you use all Dataverse features. Dataverse is a premium connector, so companies must plan for these costs. Some groups, like schools or nonprofits, might get discounts. They should ask Microsoft or a partner for the right price.
Note: Buying premium licenses helps keep data safe and apps working well. It also helps with security and makes management easier.
Developer Plan
Microsoft has a free Power Apps Developer Plan for learning and testing. This plan gives each person their own private space. Here, users can build and test model-driven apps with Dataverse. The developer plan gives you:
Unlimited app building for testing and learning
Full use of Dataverse for making apps and models
Sharing and working with other makers
Admin tools for managing roles and rules
Access to many connectors for cloud and on-premises data
Up to 2 GB of storage and 750 flow runs each month
The developer plan does not use the company’s main storage. Each person can have up to three developer spaces. If you do not use a space for 90 days, Microsoft will delete it after a warning. This plan is great for learning, trying new things, or building apps before using them for real work.
Tip: The developer plan is free and perfect for anyone who wants to learn power apps or test model-driven apps without paying more.
Model-driven apps can also run inside Microsoft Teams, but with some limits. Dataverse for Teams has fewer features. It does not support full model-driven apps or strong security. Teams spaces are linked to the Team’s life. If the Team is deleted, the space is deleted too. To use all features, you must upgrade to full Dataverse and get premium licenses.
Admin Tips
Solution Import
Admins often move apps and changes by importing solutions. Sometimes, problems happen during this step. The table below shows common problems, why they happen, and how to fix them:
Admins should always import solutions as zip files. If you unzip them, errors can happen. If you see SQL Server timeout errors, these are about Dataverse. Waiting or asking Microsoft support can help fix these rare problems.
Environment Updates
Admins update environments to keep apps working well. They use different ways to stop problems and keep data safe:
Keep development and production separate. This lets users work while updates happen.
Use solutions to move apps or parts between places. This helps control changes.
Power Platform Pipelines help automate updates and stop mistakes.
Make groups and rules for better control.
Tell makers to use the right solutions when building. This makes moving apps easier.
Environment routing keeps makers out of default places for better control.
CI/CD practices help keep things the same and working.
Model-driven apps work closely with Dynamics 365. Many admin screens and settings come from Dynamics 365 Customer Engagement and CRM. Admins handle security roles, business units, and teams in the app, just like in Dynamics. The Power Platform Admin Center, which started from Dynamics tools, helps manage and watch over environments. Newer design tools have replaced old ones, making admin jobs easier and safer.
Tip: Knowing about Dynamics 365 helps admins use tools and good ways to manage model-driven apps.
When to Use Model-Driven Apps
Best Scenarios
Model-driven apps are great for groups that need to manage business data and follow steps. These apps help teams with hard business jobs and make tasks automatic. Many companies use them for big solutions that need strong rules and data checks. Here are some times when these apps work best:
Teams want to make business steps automatic and follow rules.
Companies build big apps like CRM or ERP systems.
Groups need the same steps and data every time.
Teams want their apps to grow as the business grows.
Teams want to use Microsoft tools like Dynamics 365 and Office 365.
Businesses need to keep data safe and work better.
These apps give users the same look and steps each time. They can handle lots of data and help keep information safe and neat.
Tip: Model-driven apps are a good pick for businesses that want to manage data, make tasks automatic, and build strong solutions.
Limitations
Model-driven apps have many good things, but they also have some limits. Users cannot change how the app looks without extra work. The platform has built-in tools for business, but some custom things take more time. The table below shows some common limits:
Some people may want other platforms if they need full control over how the app looks or need special device support. Still, model-driven apps are a strong choice for business apps.
Model-driven apps make it easy for groups to handle business data. These apps look the same for everyone and keep information safe. They are quick to set up and use. Teams get tools like business rules and process flows. The design works well on phones and computers. People who do not code can build apps with the free developer plan. New users can learn step by step with guides and training. Companies see better data and teamwork with these apps. Data stays safe and only the right people can see it. Anyone can start learning by trying labs and beginner courses.
FAQ
What is the main difference between model-driven and canvas apps?
Model-driven apps start with Dataverse and focus on data first. Canvas apps let you pick how the app looks and use many data sources. Model-driven apps always look the same for everyone. Canvas apps let you change the design more.
Can users access model-driven apps on mobile devices?
Yes, people can use model-driven apps on phones and tablets. The apps change size to fit any screen. The Power Apps mobile app lets you use these apps anywhere.
How does security work in model-driven apps?
Dataverse uses security roles to keep data safe. Each person gets a role that says what they can do. Teams and business units help control who sees what. Field-level security keeps private data safe.
Is it possible to use model-driven apps with Microsoft Teams?
Model-driven apps can open inside Microsoft Teams. Some things might not work in Teams. To use all features, you need a premium license and full Dataverse.
What should admins do if a solution import fails?
Admins should look for missing parts or links. They must import the solution as a zip file. If there are still problems, they can check the Power Platform Admin Center or ask Microsoft support for help.