Summary
In this video, I demonstrate how to auto populate a custom field with business rule in Project Power App and Dataverse. I first create the custom field. I then add it to the Summary form in Project Power Apps. Next, I create a business rule that automatically populates the newly created custom field (if it does not currently contain a value) with the Name field.
Creating the Custom Field Step-by-Step
- Login to Power Apps via https://make.powerapps.com
2. Scroll down to the Your Apps section, and click on the edit button for the app you wish to edit. In my case I created a solution and app to consolidate my changes named IDEMO1.
3. With the App opened for editing, click on the Data icon in the left-hand navigation.
4. Navigate by clicking on the elipses next to the Project Table, then select Edit Table.
In my app I already added the Project table to the In Your App section in order to consolidate my changes in the app I created.
5. in the Edit Table dialog, click on the New Column link on the top navigation.
6. I entered the following into the New Column dialog:
Display Name: INT Project Name
Data Type: Single line of text
Format: Text
Required: Optional
Click the Save button when finished.
7. Now Navigate to the Pages section by clicking on the Page icon in the left hand navigation. Then click on the Edit button next to the Projects Form.
8. Locate the field you just created in the Table Columns section (INT Project Name).
9. Click+hold and drag the column to under the Name field.
10. Select the INT Project Name field on the Summary Form. Next, click the Business Rules link, then click the New Business Rule link.
11. Expand the Business Rule name section and give your Business Rule a meaningful name. I used Set INT Project Name to Project Name.
12. In the Buiness Rule editing dialog, click on the Condition Component to select it. Then specify the settings shown below:
13. From the Components tab, click and drag the Set Field Value process and drop it on top of the Condition process. Then enter the following information:
14. Your completed Business Process should like the one below:
15. Next, Click the Save link followed by the Activate link. Click the Activate button when asked to confirm.
16. Your completed Summary form should look similar to that below:
17. Go ahead and back out of the application to exit edit mode. Next Click on the Play button for the Project App.
18. On the Plans view, Select the New Plan button.
19. Enter a Name for the plan, then click the Save button to confirm the INT Project Name populates with what you entered in the Name field.
The Advantages of Using Custom Fields with Dataverse and Project Power App
Custom fields in Microsoft Dataverse and Project Power Apps offer significant advantages for organizations seeking tailored, efficient solutions. In Dataverse, custom fields allow users to extend standard tables or create new ones, enabling precise data modeling to match unique business processes. This flexibility ensures data integrity through defined relationships, validation rules, and data types, enhancing reporting and analytics. Custom fields support scalability, accommodating evolving needs without disrupting existing workflows. They also integrate seamlessly with Power Apps, enabling dynamic, user-specific interfaces.
In Project Power Apps, custom fields enhance project management by capturing specialized data, such as risk levels, resource allocations, or custom KPIs, directly within the app. This streamlines project tracking, improves decision-making, and fosters collaboration by aligning the app with organizational goals. The low-code environment empowers non-technical users to configure fields, reducing dependency on IT and accelerating deployment. Integration with Power Automate enables automated workflows triggered by custom field data, boosting efficiency. Additionally, custom fields support role-based access, ensuring data security and relevance. Together, Dataverse and Project Power Apps leverage custom fields to deliver adaptable, scalable, and user-friendly solutions, driving productivity and innovation across diverse business scenarios
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