web
You’re offline. This is a read only version of the page.
close
Skip to main content

Notifications

Announcements

Community site session details

Community site session details

Session Id :
Power Platform Community / Forums / Power Apps / PowerApps Data Integra...
Power Apps
Answered

PowerApps Data Integration vs Connection

(0) ShareShare
ReportReport
Posted on by 20

This might be a dumb question, but I am trying to figure out when to use a data integration vs a connection within PowerApps.  Is one a subset of the other?  A data integration seems to allow data filtering and manipulation before the data reaches the app.  A connection seems to allow triggers and actions using Flow based on what is happening with the data. 

 

However:

- Both seem to allow loading of data to PowerApps

- Both seem to allow saving data from PowerApps back to the source

 

Can someone clarify and my apologies again if this is a dumb question.

I have the same question (0)
  • Verified answer
    kheiman Profile Picture
    29 on at

    Assuming I'm understanding your question correctly, a 'connection' is used for ad-hoc queries directly to the data source. So, for example, I can have a SQL 'connection' that lets me directly query SQL data in my Powerapp, etc.

     

    Using Data Integration actually physically copies the data into my CDS environment's 'local' database, so we actually have a copy of the data. So, using the SQL example, we would use the SQL 'connection' in a data integration that brings down some of the data to our app environment. Then our app accesses that local data instead of directly accessing CDS, and the Data Integration takes care of refreshing our data. (although we have to handle updates back to the source database in our powerapp if desired)

     

    Typically we will often use connections in apps UNLESS

    - We want to build model-driven apps instead of canvas apps (data needs to be stored in CDS)

    - There is some issue (load/performance/etc) associated with 'live' access via a connection.

    - There is some reason to operate against a 'copy' of the data instead of directly in production (external processes, etc)

     

Under review

Thank you for your reply! To ensure a great experience for everyone, your content is awaiting approval by our Community Managers. Please check back later.

Helpful resources

Quick Links

Forum hierarchy changes are complete!

In our never-ending quest to improve we are simplifying the forum hierarchy…

Ajay Kumar Gannamaneni – Community Spotlight

We are honored to recognize Ajay Kumar Gannamaneni as our Community Spotlight for December…

Leaderboard > Power Apps

#1
WarrenBelz Profile Picture

WarrenBelz 711 Most Valuable Professional

#2
Michael E. Gernaey Profile Picture

Michael E. Gernaey 319 Super User 2025 Season 2

#3
Power Platform 1919 Profile Picture

Power Platform 1919 268

Last 30 days Overall leaderboard