Answered

Data not saving to custom entity upon closing app

(0) Share

Report

Posted on by mattcole19

Hi,

I've created a canvas app that connects to an environment with two custom entities: Customer and ProcessStep. For some reason data is not being saved to ProcessStep. Everything works as expected when I keep the app open, but whenever I close and reopen the app, all the data in ProcessStep is lost!

My app dynamically adds records to ProcessStep on the click of a button. There is a separate screen with a gallery that shows all the records in ProcessStep. When I keep the app open, everything works as expected. However, if I close and reopen the app, the gallery shows no data. It seems that data is not being saved to the ProcessStep entity? I'm not sure why this would be, as the Customer entity has a very similar design and stores everything as intended.

I'm fairly new to using Powerapps so please let me know if you need me to go into more detail on the issue.

Thanks,

Matt

Categories:

Building Power Apps

I have the same question (0)

All responses (5)

Answers (1)

Sort by

LeeHarris 1,026 on at

Like
a
(0)

Report
Copy link

Link copied!

Hi @mattcole19

Can you please share the formula/method you are using on your button click to create the ProcessStep records in your custom entity?

Was this reply helpful? Yes No
mattcole19 8 on at

Like
a
(0)

Report
Copy link

Link copied!

/* Record Lead Info */
Collect(ProcessSteps, {Company: EditForm1.LastSubmit.Name, Step: "Record Lead Info", Status: "Complete", Employee: User().FullName, DateCompleted: Now() });

Now that I look at this, I assume the problem has to deal with the "Collect" function. What function should I be using?

Was this reply helpful? Yes No
Verified answer

LeeHarris 1,026 on at

Like
a
(0)

Report
Copy link

Link copied!

Hi @mattcole19

The Collect function is adding the object you have defined to a local collection called "ProcessSteps". In order to write the data back to the CDS you can either make use of the Update/UpdateIf function or the Patch function.

Update/UpdateIf: https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/powerapps/maker/canvas-apps/functions/function-update-updateif

Patch function: https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/powerapps/maker/canvas-apps/functions/function-patch

Hope that helps!

Was this reply helpful? Yes No
mattcole19 8 on at

Like
a
(0)

Report
Copy link

Link copied!

That should work, thanks!

Just out of curiousity, why is there no function to directly add records? The "Patch" function seems to be a strange work-around method of adding rows to an entiity. I imagine adding records is quite common among developers, so why not have a function to make this process simpler/clearer?

Was this reply helpful? Yes No
LeeHarris 1,026 on at

Like
a
(0)

Report
Copy link

Link copied!

Hi @mattcole19

If you make use of the Form control, each of the fields are bound to fields in your datasource. There is a Submit command that you can call against the Form control which will then post the new record to CDS. Often I'll be adding data from multiple locations or unbound controls so I tend to favour the Update/Patch functions as they provide more flexibility.

https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/powerapps/maker/canvas-apps/controls/control-form-detail

Was this reply helpful? Yes No