Basic combo box with SQL connection

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Posted on by MichielW

I am struggling with a VERY basic functionality. I have connected my SQL database with 2 tables:

Table1:

- EventID (pk)

- Machine_ID

- Value

Table2:

- Machine_ID (pk)

- Machine_Name

I insert a dropdown field onto my powerapp screen and for the Items field I have selected the Machine_Name from Table2. Now I have read that the Value field is the field that will be updated in the DB and the Items field is merely the list of available values. However, the Value field is restricted to the Value that I selected in the Items field. How can I make this work? I want to visually show the Machine_Names but update the Machine_ID in the fact table.

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Building Power Apps

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timl 37,287 Super User 2026 Season 2 on at

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@MichielW

Assuming that you're using an edit form with the data source set to Table1, the form will update the machine_ID field to whatever you define for the 'update' property of the form card that corresponds to the machine_ID field.

Therefore, you would unlock the machine_ID card and add your dropdown control there. You would set the items property of the drop down to Table2, and the Value to Machine_Name.

Assuming that you name the drop down control cboMachine, you would set the update property of the form to cboMachine.Selected.Machine_ID.

To make sure that the existing dropdown record loads correctly, you would set the default property of your drop down control to the following:

LookUp(Table2, Machine_ID=ThisItem.MachineID)
MichielW 5 on at

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That did it ! The fact that the card is bound to the destination column and the dropdown itself is not got me confused. Thanks for the clear explanation!
timl 37,287 Super User 2026 Season 2 on at

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You're welcome @MichielW, glad that's working for you now!