Modern People Picker in Power Apps

Key insights

• Modern Combo Box Control: Utilize the new features of the Modern Combo Box in Power Apps to create an efficient People Picker experience. This control enhances app-building with Microsoft’s Fluent 2 design system, focusing on accessibility and performance.


• Delegable Queries: Search efficiently in large datasets using delegable queries. This ensures that operations are performed on the server side, improving performance and scalability.


• Search Text Property: Leverage the Search Text property of the combo box to enable precise user searches, facilitating a smoother selection process for individuals or groups within an organization.


• Microsoft Entra ID Integration: Integrate Microsoft Entra ID to enhance user search capabilities. This integration allows for seamless access to organizational directories and user data.


• SharePoint Person-Type Column: Use the Modern Combo Box with Modern Form Control specifically for handling Person-type columns in SharePoint. This setup simplifies tasks like assigning roles or sharing resources.


• Patch Function Syntax: Understand how to use the Patch function in PowerApps to modify or create records across different SharePoint column types, including Choice, Person, Lookup, Multi-Select Choice, Yes/No, and Managed Metadata columns.

Introduction to Modern People Picker in Power Apps

In a recent YouTube video by Reza Dorrani, viewers are guided through the process of creating a modern People Picker experience in Power Apps. This tutorial leverages the new features of the Modern Combo Box control, which is part of Microsoft's ongoing efforts to enhance user interface components in Power Apps. The video provides a comprehensive walkthrough of various techniques, including efficiently searching large datasets, integrating Microsoft Entra ID, and using the Modern Combo Box with Modern Form Control for SharePoint's Person-type column. These methods are aimed at improving accessibility, usability, and performance in app-building.

Efficient Search with Modern Combo Box

One of the key highlights of the tutorial is the ability to efficiently search through large datasets using the Modern Combo Box. The control supports delegable queries, which means it can handle large amounts of data without sacrificing performance. This is particularly beneficial for organizations dealing with extensive user databases. By utilizing the Search Text property of the combo box, users can quickly locate individuals or groups within an organization. This feature not only enhances user experience but also optimizes the app's functionality by reducing load times and improving data retrieval efficiency.

Integration with Microsoft Entra ID

Another significant aspect covered in the video is the integration of Microsoft Entra ID for user searches. This integration allows the People Picker to access and display user information from the organization's directory. By connecting to Microsoft Entra ID, the People Picker can provide more accurate and comprehensive search results, making it easier for users to find and select the correct individuals. This approach streamlines processes such as assigning tasks or designating contacts, ultimately improving collaboration within teams.

Implementing the Modern Combo Box with SharePoint

The tutorial also delves into using the Modern Combo Box in conjunction with the Modern Form Control for SharePoint's Person-type column. This integration facilitates a seamless experience when working with SharePoint data. Users can easily submit Person column data from the Modern Form Control, set Person column values to blank, and even display profile images for selected users. By aligning with SharePoint's data structure, this method ensures compatibility and enhances the overall functionality of Power Apps applications.

Challenges and Tradeoffs

While the modern People Picker offers numerous benefits, it's important to consider the challenges and tradeoffs involved. For instance, implementing such features may require additional development time and resources, especially for organizations with complex data structures. Additionally, while the integration with Microsoft Entra ID provides enhanced search capabilities, it may also introduce security considerations that need to be addressed. Balancing these factors is crucial to ensure that the People Picker meets organizational needs without compromising on performance or security.

Conclusion

Reza Dorrani's tutorial on creating a modern People Picker in Power Apps provides valuable insights into leveraging the latest features of the Modern Combo Box control. By focusing on efficient data search, integration with Microsoft Entra ID, and compatibility with SharePoint, the tutorial equips users with the tools needed to build powerful and user-friendly applications. However, as with any technological implementation, careful consideration of challenges and tradeoffs is essential to achieve the desired outcomes. Overall, the modern People Picker represents a significant step forward in enhancing the Power Apps experience, offering improved accessibility, usability, and performance for end-users.

Keywords

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