Answered

Connector to allow Powerapps to use Excel data while file being used

(0) Share

Report

Posted on by Community Power Pla... Microsoft Employee

Hello to everyone,

I'm currently looking to build a custom connector for my PowerApp.

In our situation, we have 2 different kind of users : Project Manager and Subcontractors. The Project Manager organizes the remaining task on a spreadsheet in its Excel Online File that will be communicated to the Subcontractors. In this situation, the Powerapp would relfect the remaining task presented in the Excel Online File. While the Manager follows the progression on each project, the subcontractors consult their task for the day on the PowerApp.

Our current problem is this : While using the pre-build Excel Connector with OneDrive, we are not able to overwrite data on the Excel File with a SubmitForm() Function while the Excel file is being consulted by the Project Manager.

Is it possible to create a connector that allows Powerapps to update data in the Excel Online File while it is being consulted? Would it be possible for Powerapps to access the Excel Online File as if it was a normal user (using the co-authoring functionality of Excel Online)?

Thanks for the help and hope you are all doing alright and safe !

Categories:

Building Power Apps

I have the same question (0)

All responses (6)

Answers (1)

Sort by

eka24 20,925 on at

Like (0)

Report
Copy link

Link copied!

Please explain further what you mean by "consulted" as used in:
Is it possible to create a connector that allows Powerapps to update data in the Excel Online File while it is being consulted

------------

If you like this post, give a Thumbs up. Where it solved your request, Mark it as a Solution to enable other users find it.

Was this reply helpful? Yes No
Community Power Pla... Microsoft Employee on at

Like (0)

Report
Copy link

Link copied!

Meaning a user would "consult" the Excel data within the Powerapps. He would access the data that is from the Excel spreadsheet with the Powerapp.

Was this reply helpful? Yes No
eka24 20,925 on at

Like (0)

Report
Copy link

Link copied!

Yes you can use excel as the datasource to powerapps. Then use powerapps to update the excel with new records or modify old records.
After that you can access the excel data in powerapps to see the records stored in powerapps.
Watch this video:
https://youtu.be/-Z_13J02RPU?t=21

------------

If you like this post, give a Thumbs up. Where it solved your request, Mark it as a Solution to enable other users find it.

Was this reply helpful? Yes No
Community Power Pla... Microsoft Employee on at

Like (0)

Report
Copy link

Link copied!

Thank you for your answer

Although, this is where we get stuck : While a user is using Powerapps, he cannot Submit data to the Excel Sheet while a user has opened the Excel simultaneously...and often you would get this situation. The Excel File would be constantly be opened by the Manager, not allowing the subcontractors to use the application and submit data in the same time...

Was this reply helpful? Yes No
Verified answer

eka24 20,925 on at

Like (1)

Report
Copy link

Link copied!

Yes you cannot open the excel while another person is submitting data in powerapps. Consider if it is possible to use two different tables with same columns but different names. Each will use one of the tables and at the end of the day, it could be joined. Of course it will not be possible if same data is required by both at the same time.

You may consider another datasource like CDS Or Azure Sql for more flexibility.

------------

If you like this post, give a Thumbs up. Where it solved your request, Mark it as a Solution to enable other users find it.

Was this reply helpful? Yes No
Community Power Pla... Microsoft Employee on at

Like (0)

Report
Copy link

Link copied!

Thank you! I will consider this possibility!

I have indeed thought of CDS or Azure SQL but we are trying to do without it.

Have a great day!

Was this reply helpful? Yes No