Course Outline
Module 1: An Introduction to PowerApps for Government
This module provides an overview of Microsoft PowerApps, a tool designed to simplify the development and deployment of custom applications within government agencies. Historically, creating customized solutions required extensive coding skills and often resulted in applications that were limited to internal use. With PowerApps, agencies can now quickly build and share applications with users across their organization. Deployment is swift, allowing for immediate testing on mobile devices. This module will cover the features of PowerApps, its benefits for government operations, and the various methods for building and accessing apps on different devices.
Lessons
- What is PowerApps?
- The benefits of using apps in government
- How to access PowerApps for government
- Canvas Apps and Model-Driven Apps
- License Options and Costs
- Discover PowerApps with Templates
Lab : Introduction to PowerApps
- Try the Cost Estimator App
- Download and Review App Design
- Sample App of your choice
After completing this module, students will be able to:
- Describe when PowerApps should be used in government settings
- Know how to access PowerApps for government
- Make design decisions based on PowerApps licenses for government
- Understand that there are two types of apps available
- Be able to use sample apps effectively
Module 2: Getting Started with PowerApps for Government
In this module, we will explore the templates available in PowerApps, which serve as a starting point for understanding the capabilities of the tool and how they can be applied to government workflows. We will also familiarize students with the editor interface, essential for navigating the course content. Students will build their first app from a static data source, allowing them to test changes instantly without publishing. Additionally, we will discuss configuring app settings and sharing apps within the organization.
Lessons
- Building a new app from a data source
- Add, edit, and remove controls
- Introduction to Formulas
- Testing an app
- App Settings
- Publish and Share Apps
- Version History and Restore
- PowerApps Mobile App
Lab : Getting Started with PowerApps for Government
- Create an App from an Existing Data Source
- Publish and Share the App
- View an app on your mobile device
After completing this module, students will be able to:
- Build a useful app using wizards in minutes for government use
- Make simple changes to existing apps for government workflows
- Understand how formulas are used in PowerApps for government
- Test an app before it is shared within the organization
- Restore a previous version of an app if needed
- Use the mobile app to consume an app for government purposes
Module 3: Branding and Media in PowerApps for Government
This module focuses on the options available to designers for implementing agency branding within PowerApps. We will cover both aesthetic elements and time-saving techniques to maintain consistent branding. Additionally, we will discuss how to embed media into apps, which can be particularly useful for applications that include video content.
Lessons
- Less is more
- Duplicate Screens
- Fonts
- Screen Colours and Matching Colours
- Screen Backgrounds
- Buttons and Icons
- Hide on Timer
- Size and Alignment by Reference
- Show and Hide on Timer
Lab : Branding and Media in PowerApps for Government
- Backgrounds and icons
- Import Class Data from Excel
- Duplicate Screen
After completing this module, students will be able to:
- Customize app backgrounds with images and colors for government use
- Add images and logos to an app for government branding
- Use timers to show and hide controls in apps for government
- Align and size controls effectively for government applications
Module 4: PowerApps Controls for Government
In this module, we will delve deeper into the various categories of controls that can be used in PowerApps forms. The instructor will guide students through each control, discussing its purpose and configuration. This comprehensive overview will help students recognize when to use the appropriate control for government applications.
Lessons
- Text Controls for Data Entry and Display
- Controls - Drop downs, combo box, date picker, radio button, and more
- Forms - Add and edit data in underlying data sources quickly
- Charts - Present information using pie, line, and bar charts
Lab : Build Apps from Blank for Government
- Create an App from the blank template for government use
- Add Controls to collect and display data for government applications
- Add Formulas to allow controls to interact in government apps
After completing this module, students will be able to:
- Use a wide range of controls to enhance the data entry experience for government users
- Edit control properties effectively for government applications
- Use formulas to enable multiple controls to interact in government apps
- Present information using charts for government purposes
Module 5: Data Sources and Logic for Government
This module addresses the diverse data storage needs of government agencies. PowerApps offers connections to a wide range of data sources, including cloud and on-premises databases. We will show students how to build PowerApps that integrate data from various sources and utilize the common data source, a storage location unique to PowerApps.
Lessons
- Data Storage and Services
- How to decide which database to use for government applications
- Connect to on-premises data - Gateway
- What is Delegation?
- Specific Data Examples
- Displaying Data
Lab : Data Source and Logic for Government
- SharePoint List connect to App for government use
- Flow to collect tweets to SharePoint for government applications
- Display Tweets in PowerApps using the Twitter service for government purposes
- Create a reply screen in PowerApps for government communication
After completing this module, students will be able to:
- Connect to various data sources, including cloud and on-premises options for government
- Understand the financial costs associated with different data sources for government use
- Identify which data sources can handle large amounts of data for government applications
- Display data using controls in government apps
Module 6: Model-Driven Apps for Government
The first five modules covered Canvas Apps, the original type of PowerApp. Microsoft has introduced a second type called Model-Driven Apps, which have a different development process. This module will review this process and compare it to Canvas Apps. Model-Driven Apps can be quicker to build but are less customizable and typically more expensive. We will discuss the pros and cons of each type for government use.
Lessons
- What is a model-driven app?
- Where will data be stored in model-driven apps?
- How to create a model-driven app for government
- Canvas vs. Model-Driven summary for government applications
Lab : Model-Driven App for Government
- Switch to Model-Driven mode in PowerApps for government use
- Navigate the Model-Driven app interface for government applications
- Test a Sample App for government purposes
- Edit the Sample App for government use
After completing this module, students will be able to:
- Describe the difference between a canvas app and a model-driven app for government applications
- Access model-driven apps for government use
- Edit model-driven apps for government needs
Module 7: PowerApp Integration for Government
PowerApps is designed to integrate seamlessly with other business systems, such as Office 365, Teams, SharePoint Online, and Flow. This module will cover simple methods for integrating PowerApps with these systems to create comprehensive solutions for government requirements.
Lessons
- Embed PowerApps in Teams for government use
- Embed PowerApps in SharePoint Online for government applications
- Start a Flow from a PowerApp for government workflows
Lab : PowerApp Integration for Government
- Embed your app in Microsoft Teams for government use
- Embed your app in SharePoint Online for government applications
After completing this module, students will be able to:
- Make PowerApps available for users via Teams and SharePoint Online for government purposes
- Understand the benefits of using PowerApps with Flow for government workflows
Module 8: Administration and Maintenance of PowerApps for Government
In our final module, we will explore how to manage existing PowerApps within a government agency. This includes using analytics to track usage trends, exporting and importing apps for reuse in different locations, and ensuring data segregation and security through high-level settings. Office 365 administrators will learn how to shape the PowerApps experience to meet government requirements.
Lessons
- Identify which users have been using PowerApps in your agency
- Reuse an app in another location (move from testing or development to production)
- Review app usage for government purposes
- Prevent a user from using PowerApps within the agency
- Manage environments for government applications
Lab : Administration and Maintenance of PowerApps for Government
- Export an app for use in another location within your agency
- Review current PowerApp users in your test environment for government purposes
After completing this module, students will be able to:
- Identify who is using PowerApps in your organization for government operations
- Prevent specific users from using the PowerApps service within the agency
- Reuse or move existing apps for government use
Requirements
- Prior experience with PowerApps is not required for government employees.
