Mastering the Display Form Control in Power Apps

Introduction

Power Apps empowers users to create dynamic and functional applications with ease, enabling efficient data management and interaction. Among its array of controls, the Display Form Control stands out as a versatile tool for presenting data in a read-only format. In this comprehensive guide, we explore the Display Form Control in Power Apps, including its benefits, features, limitations, and a step-by-step tutorial on creating one using SharePoint list data.

Benefits of Display Form Control

1. Effortless Data Presentation: The Display Form Control simplifies the presentation of data by providing a structured and organized layout, enhancing readability and comprehension.
2. Streamlined User Experience: Users can view detailed information without the need for complex navigation or interaction, leading to a more intuitive and streamlined user experience.
3. Data Consistency: By enforcing a read-only mode, the Display Form Control helps maintain data integrity and consistency, preventing accidental modifications or deletions.
4. Time-saving: Displaying data in a predefined format reduces the time and effort required to design and implement custom data presentation solutions.

Features of Display Form Control

1. Automatic Data Binding: The Display Form Control automatically binds to a data source, eliminating the need for manual data retrieval and population.
2. Customizable Layout: Users can customize the layout and appearance of the display form, including field arrangement, styling, and visibility settings.
3. Rich Data Display: Display Form Control supports various data types, including text, numbers, dates, and attachments, allowing for comprehensive data representation.
4. Integration Capabilities: The control seamlessly integrates with SharePoint lists, SQL databases, and other data sources, providing flexibility and scalability.

Creating a display form Control with SharePoint list data

1. Open Power Apps: Launch Power Apps from your preferred platform.
   
2. Click on the "Create" button: Start a new project by clicking on the "Create" button in the Power Apps dashboard.
   
3. Click on "Blank app": Choose the "Blank app" option to create a new blank canvas app.
   
4. Select "Blank tablet app": Opt for the "Blank tablet app" template, suitable for tablet device layouts.
   
5. Provide a name for your app: Enter a descriptive name for your app to distinguish it from others.
6. Select "Create" to proceed: Click on the "Create" button to initiate the app creation process.
   
7. Navigate to the "Data" tab: Once the app is created, navigate to the "Data" tab located in the ribbon menu.
   
8. Select "Connect to data": Click on the "Connect to data" button to add a new data source to your app.
   
9. Choose "SharePoint" from the list of data sources: From the list of available data sources, select "SharePoint" to establish a connection.
   
10. Enter the URL of your SharePoint site and click "Go": Input the URL of your SharePoint site in the provided field and click "Go" to proceed.
    
    
    
    
11. Add vertical Gallery: Before the form, we should have gallery where we can select the record, and then selected item will be disabled in the Display Form.
12. "Connect" to establish the connection.
    
    
13. Insert the Display Form Control: Drag and drop the Display Form Control onto your canvas from the left-hand side menu.

Add Navigation in Gallery Page on the view icon

1. Add this formula on the “OnSelect” property: Navigate(DisplayFormPage)
   
2. Bind the Display Form Control to the SharePoint list: Select the Display Form Control, navigate to the properties pane, and set its "Item" property to the SharePoint list data source you've connected.
   
3. Add Selected Gallery in Display Form Page: Add the formula for the selected item in the Display Form page.
   
   
   
4. Customize the Display Form Layout: Customize the layout of the Display Form Control by arranging fields, adjusting styling, and configuring visibility settings as per your requirements.
   
   
   
   
5. Test the app: Preview and test your app to ensure that the Display Form Control displays the SharePoint list data accurately and as expected.
6. Publish the app: Once satisfied with the functionality and appearance of your app, publish it for end-users to access and utilize.

Limitations of Display Form Control

1. Limited Interactivity: Display Form Control is primarily designed for viewing data in a read-only format, lacking interactive features such as editing or adding new records.
2. Layout Constraints: While customizable, the layout options for Display Form Control may be somewhat limited compared to other controls, restricting design flexibility.
3. Dependency on Data Source: The functionality of Display Form Control relies heavily on the underlying data source, and any changes or limitations in the data source may affect its performance.

Conclusion

The Display Form Control in Power Apps offers a straightforward yet powerful solution for presenting data in a read-only format, enhancing user experience and data accessibility. By leveraging its benefits, features, and integration capabilities, users can create efficient and user-friendly applications tailored to their specific needs. However, it's essential to be aware of its limitations and design considerations to optimize its usage effectively. With this guide, you're equipped to harness the potential of Display Form Control in your Power Apps projects, facilitating seamless data presentation and interaction.