Top 10 Essential Power Apps Tips Every Maker Should Know

1. Plan Your Power Apps Before You Build

It’s tempting to jump straight into Power Apps Studio and start dragging controls onto the screen — but trust me, even a simple sketch on paper or a whiteboard can save you a lot of trouble later. Outline:

• What screens do you need?

• What data sources will you use?

• How will users navigate?

Clear planning leads to clearer apps.

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2. Use Global Variables and Collections Wisely

Power Apps gives you powerful tools like Set() for global variables and ClearCollect() for collections. However, too many variables can make your app hard to debug and maintain.

• Initialize variables in the OnStart property.

• Name them clearly (varUserName, colProducts).

• Release them when no longer needed using Clear().

Pro Tip: For larger apps, consider using Environment Variables in Power Platform.

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3. Leverage Components for Reusability

Custom components are a game changer. If you have standard headers, menus, or custom controls you use across multiple screens or apps, build them once as components and reuse them.

Below is a component I created as a popup to display more informaition.  I reused this multiple times just changing the text and button action.

This not only ensures consistency but also makes updates a breeze — change it once, and it updates everywhere!

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4. Optimize for Performance Early

Performance bottlenecks usually start with inefficient data loading. A few ways to optimize:

• Load only necessary data during App.OnStart.

• Use delegation-friendly data sources (e.g., Dataverse, SQL) when possible.

• Apply filters early, not after loading large datasets.

Watch your delegation warnings — Power Apps limits can cause unexpected issues in large data scenarios.

Understanding delegation on  Microsoft Learn

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5. Master the Power of Formulas

Power Apps formulas are like Excel on steroids. Beyond basics like If() and Patch(), explore:

• With() to simplify complex expressions.

• ForAll() to iterate over collections.

• Switch() for cle

• aner conditional logic.

Writing clean formulas not only improves readability but also performance.

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6. Design for Mobile First

Even if the app will mainly be used on desktops, a mobile-first design approach ensures:

• Cleaner layouts.

• Better responsive behavior.

• More intuitive navigation.

Use flexible layouts like containers and set width/height relative to the screen to create apps that look good everywhere.

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7. Use Naming Conventions

A consistent naming convention saves time for everyone who touches the app. I recommend:

• lbl_ for labels (e.g., lblTitle)

• btn_ for buttons (e.g., btnSubmit)

• gal_ for galleries (e.g., galProducts)

• txt_ for text inputs (e.g., txtUserName)

It makes formulas readable and your app easier to maintain, especially in teams.

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8. Control Access with Role-Based Security

Security should be dynamic. Instead of hardcoding roles or access rights:

• Connect your app to Azure Active Directory groups.

• Use Dataverse or SharePoint lists to maintain role mappings.

• Control visibility and functionality based on the logged-in user’s role.

This way, admins can manage access without needing a developer.

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9. Test on Real Devices

Testing only on the Power Apps Studio Preview is a trap. Always:

• Test on the actual devices (phones, tablets, browsers).

• Check for UI responsiveness.

• Verify performance on different networks (Wi-Fi vs. 4G).

You’ll catch small (but critical) issues that are invisible in Studio Preview.

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10. Document Your App

Good documentation saves headaches later. You don’t need a 50-page manual — a simple doc covering:

• Data sources used.

• Key variables and their purposes.

• Special formulas or business logic.

Bonus: Add inline comments in complex formulas using // to explain tricky logic.

You can always add a screen to your app for documentation, make sure nothing navigates to that screen and only developers can see it. 

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Final Thoughts

Power Apps is an incredibly versatile platform, but like any tool, it shines when used thoughtfully. By planning ahead, writing clean code, reusing components, and optimizing performance, you’ll not only build better apps — you’ll also create solutions that are easier to maintain and scale over time.

Have a favorite Power Apps tip that wasn’t on this list? Share it in the comments or reach out — I’d love to hear what’s working for you!

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Would you like me to suggest a few images or screenshots you could add — maybe a sketch of app planning, a screenshot of a component setup, or a demo of naming conventions? (They’ll make your post pop visually!)