Power Apps Git Verion Control: A new era of Collaboration

Introduction

Microsoft Power Apps has introduced an experimental feature that allows users to leverage Git version control for editing Canvas apps. This feature is a game-changer as it enables more than one person to edit the canvas app simultaneously.

What is Git Version Control?

Version Control is traditionally used in software projects to track and manage changes made to a codebase over time. This allows for collaboration among team members, easy identification of bugs and errors, and the ability to revert to previous versions if needed. Git is one of the most popular version control systems and is now being integrated with Power Apps.

How to Enable Git Version Control in Power Apps?

To enable Git version control in your app, follow these steps.

1. Create a new app or open an existing app that you would like to add to Git version control.
2. Select Settings in Power Apps Studio.
3. Select Upcoming features.
4. Select Experimentally.
5. Scroll down to Show the Git version control setting and turn it to On.

Once Git version control is enabled, your app’s autosave will be disabled. You will have to manually save or sync your changes.

Connecting Your App to Git

After enabling Git version control, you need to connect your app to Git.

1. Select Settings in Power Apps Studio.
2. Select Git version control.
3. Select Connect, and fill in the Git connection information for this app.
   
   

Any Git provider can be used with Power Apps Studio—such as GitHub or Azure DevOps. Use existing Git tools to see version history, create and manage pull requests, and do other version control tasks.

Authenticate with Git

GitHub: Creating a personal access token

While editing apps connected to Git, you're prompted for a username and password. Enter your username and the access token in this dialog to authenticate with Git.

Conclusion

The integration of Git with Power Apps is a significant step forward in enhancing the collaborative capabilities of the platform. It allows multiple users to work on the same app simultaneously, making the development process more efficient and streamlined. As this feature is still experimental, it’s expected to evolve and improve over time, further enhancing the Power Apps experience.