Using SQL Server & Power Apps

Use a Azure SQL Server database for your Power Apps application! We'll step through how to do this here!
➡️ Get access to our free Power Apps crash course (and our community) here: go.superpowerlabs.co/superlanding
Here are the topics discussed in this video:
- "Big Boy" database?
- Why SQL Server?
- What's wrong with Dataverse?
- Join tables with view
- Stored procedures (must use Power Automate flows)
- Multiple environments or tenants!
- Data needs to be accessed outside the Power Platform
- You can use Dataverse outside Power Platform
- Why not to use SQL Server?
- Cost
- Dataverse could be faster!
- less API layers!
- you can link other data sources with Dataverse, like SQL Server, SharePoint, Excel, Azure AD, etc.
- Complexity (learning curve)
- Overkill the requirements
- No desire to learn any more coding
- SQL - Structured Query Language
- T-SQL - Transact SQL
- How to set up Azure SQL?
- Creating the database
- Creating our Power Apps application
- Using a sample app use case with Chat GPT:
- Onboarding, Engagement, & Satisfaction!

[@PowerAppsTutorial]

➡Playlist: kzbin.info/aero/PLMgWds5p226mDattAUyg2DzRFjxDHW54w 🤝 Need to get some help with your project? Join our community here: 🔗 tinyurl.com/PowerPlatformCommunity or, if you want to work with Darren directly, book Call Here📲 superpowerlabs.store/powerapps-mastery

[@moyura2]

@19:08 Dataverse also has View, I think for small dataset size, Dataverse views might offer a better performance. On the other hand, larger and more complex datasets, SQL Server views can provide better performance.

[@yaynative]

I loved this video and can't wait to see the rest of the project unfold! Question: how does one decide whether to store files in a database (like your image column) or just store links to the files?

[@PowerAppsTutorial]

Preference 👌

[@benjaminlahsen6721]

Hello! Thanks for the tutorial. I have a question regarding the unique identifiers… are you tackling that in this video when you save a record automaticly? Best regards

[@PowerAppsTutorial]

For the primary keys, we use a field called ID as an identity (sometimes called an auto number). However, you could very easily use a GUID or unique identifier as the primary key. Let me know if I can provide further details or clarification.

[@benjaminlahsen6721]

@@PowerAppsTutorial thank you for your answer. My question was if adding a record to SQL automatically creates an ID or GUID or do I have to declare it in Power Apps and patch it in a special field?

[@PowerAppsTutorial]

It depends on the configuration of your table, you can configure your table to automatically assign an ID or a GUID

[@alexotoous]

Thank you for this video. what is the downside when pushing the final app into production. The biggest problem I have with Dataverse is the cost of licensing every user in production.

[@PowerAppsTutorial]

Thank you for your comment! You're right, Dataverse licensing can get expensive, especially for larger user bases. One of the advantages of using a SQL database with PowerApps is that it can be more cost-effective, especially when using it with existing SQL licenses or in scenarios where Dataverse is overkill. However, when pushing the app into production, you might face some challenges, such as ensuring proper security configurations, managing permissions, and potentially more manual setup compared to Dataverse, which has built-in integrations and security models. You may also need to handle any scalability and performance tuning for high-traffic apps directly in SQL. Ultimately, the choice depends on your app's complexity, data needs, and budget considerations. SQL databases can offer more flexibility and cost savings, but Dataverse offers tighter integration and convenience, albeit at a higher cost.

[@johnbrennan8442]

Hello Darren 1:59 what is the where do we get the username and password to enter there please

[@PowerAppsTutorial]

Who owns and runs the database you'd like to connect to? They should provide that. :)

[@johnbrennan8442]

@@PowerAppsTutorial ah ok great thank you for the swift reply

[@maxinteltech3321]

Thanks for sharing your knowledge ❤

[@PowerAppsTutorial]

You are so welcome🥰

[@kirankumar-xy7xt]

do you have any process for parent data and attachment in child table using sql table in canvas app?

[@PowerAppsTutorial]

To handle parent data and attachments in a child table using SQL in a Canvas app, first create SQL tables for both the parent and child, where the child table holds the attachments with a foreign key to the parent. In the Canvas app, use a form for the parent record and an attachment control or gallery for file uploads. On form submission, first save the parent record, capture its ID, then loop through the uploaded attachments to insert them into the child table along with the parent ID. This ensures the attachments are linked to the correct parent record.😊

[@GuMean]

Is there a part 2 to this? 👍

[@PowerAppsTutorial]

Sure! Here's the playlist: kzbin.info/aero/PLMgWds5p226mDattAUyg2DzRFjxDHW54w

[@dr.mohammedmohammed7633]

Dear I used to have an old version of my apps it was working perfectly so I didn't touch the formula or anything ,,, it expand the gallery perfectly without any errors put so on so far ,,, I think when I update the apps for different modifications not related to this pdf function, the capability is gone ,,,, the last publishing was one year from now ,,, when I update this august the capability gone .... something related to platform update happens by MS them self

[@PowerAppsTutorial]

You may need to review your formula ☺️

[@rakeshsen3802]

Can we integrated sql server without authentication with powerapps?

[@PowerAppsTutorial]

Integrating SQL Server with PowerApps without using any form of authentication is not recommended and, in most cases, not supported. However, if this is your scenario, you can consider using the windows authentication