The Algebra Teacher Powers to B.I.

 In last week's blog/video, I showcased how you can use the patch function to create a record without using the preset forms in Power Apps.   In this week's blog/video, I go a little further with it. One problem that arises with the Patch function is that the old values will still be populated in your input controls.  So I want to show you how to wipe those out and set them back to the default blank values.  We will use variables and the UpdateContext command attached to the OnVisible property of the screen where the input controls are. To go even further this week, I also want to show you how to enable/disable a button.  I've come across scenarios where we don't want the user to hit the submit button on a form or a patch command unless there is data in the input controls.  So I will walk you throw how to set up that action as well this week using the If and IsBlank functions.

 In Power Apps, forms are great to use to submit data to be recorded in your data source.  They do not take long to set up and the functions used to submit the data are fairly simple.  This simplicity, however, can come at a cost.  The cost of using a form is you don’t have a lot of design control in terms of layout and design.  If you don’t like the rigid structure of forms and want more freedom, then I’ve got the fix for you.  You need to become acquainted with the Patch function.   The Patch function allows you to update or create a new record in your data source.   The Patch function requires you to identify your data source, decide if you want to update or create a record, and then point to your controls on the app that contains the data you are submitting.   The coding is a little more involved compared to SubmitForm(FormName) that you use on forms.   The payoff, though, for learning a little more advanced code is you get compl...