Create a canvas app with data from an Excel file

  • 2 minutes to read

In this topic, you'll create your first canvas app in Power Apps using data from an Excel table. You'll select an Excel file, create an app, and then run the app that you create. Every created app includes screens to browse records, show record details, and create or update records. By generating an app, you can quickly get a working app using Excel data, and then you can customize the app to better suit your needs.

The Excel file must be in a cloud-storage account, such as OneDrive, Google Drive, or Dropbox. This topic uses OneDrive for Business.

If you don't have a license for Power Apps, you can sign up for free.

Watch this video to learn how to create a canvas app with data from an Excel file:

Prerequisites

To follow this topic exactly, download the Flooring Estimates file in Excel, and save it in your cloud storage account.

Important

  • You can use your own Excel file, but the data must be formatted as a table. For more information, see Format a table.
  • The method in this article uses the latest version of the connector. To learn about different methods and how they affect the version of connector being used, see Popular connectors - connect to Excel from Power Apps.

Create the app

  1. Sign in to Power Apps.

  2. Under Start from data, select Other data sources.

    Choose other data sources.

  3. Choose your connection, or select New connection to create, and then select Create.

    Choose your data source.

  4. Under Choose an Excel file, browse to FlooringEstimates.xlsx, and then click or tap it.

  5. Under Choose a table, click or tap FlooringEstimates, and then click or tap Connect.

    Choose your table.

Run the app

  1. Open Preview by pressing F5 (or by clicking or tapping the play icon near the upper-right corner).

    Open Preview.

  2. Toggle the sort order by clicking or tapping the sort icon near the upper-right corner.

    Sort icon.

  3. Filter the list by typing or pasting one or more characters in the search box.

    For example, type or paste Honey to show the only record for which that string appears in the product's name, category, or overview.

    Filter example.

  4. Add a record:

    1. Select the plus icon.

      Plus icon.

    2. Add whatever data you want, and then select the checkmark icon to save your changes.

      Save icon.

  5. Edit a record:

    1. Select the arrow for the record that you want to edit.

      Next arrow.

    2. Select the pencil icon.

      Pencil icon.

    3. Update one or more fields, and then select the checkmark icon to save your changes.

      Save icon.

      As an alternative, select the cancel icon to discard your changes.

  6. Delete a record:

    1. Select the next arrow for the record that you want to delete.

      Next arrow.

    2. Select the trash icon.

      Trash icon.

Next steps

Customize the default browse screen to better suit your needs. For example, you can sort and filter the list by product name only, not category or overview.