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Using a variable as a data source

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Posted on by nshaw75

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Hi everyone and Happy New Year, thanks to all the guy's on here who have not only helped me out but helped everyone else.

My issue is around using a variable (gblDataSource1) as a data source. There are a few threads where I have experimented in making a template and many thanks to @scalca for pointing me in the right direction.

I have set up my template app and it works in terms of me being able to use it with numerous different data sources. The problem I am no faced with is that I want to add a NewForm control. When adding an EditForm to the app, the datasource variable is not available to direct the form to. I have overcome this on a ViewForm control and a gallery, however, I am struggling to set the form up to create a new form to submit information to the SharePoint list. When I try to link to the data, it only shows actual data sources and not the variable. Therefore, when I change the Data Source the link will be broken again

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WarrenBelz 153,745 Most Valuable Professional on at

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Hi @nshaw75

Two things, if you want to use a Form, the DataSource must be an actual "external" (SharePoint, Dataverse) List/Table - it will not work otherwise. Also if you want to use a "local" Table as a source, updating from individual controls or a Gallery, use a Collection (rather than a Table Variable) - it is much easier to update.

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nshaw75 440 on at

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Hi @WarrenBelz, Thanks for the reply. I am now looking at using collections especially for the Combo Boxes. My original issue was that I was creating an app which can be easily duplicated for each project we undertake and having to go through each control on each form to change the data source. Having it as a variable and then using collections will at least the data source will only need changing in the OnStart property.

Thanks for the pointers

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RobElliott 10,391 Super User 2026 Season 1 on at

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You would only need to change the data source for the form itself, not for each individual control in it.

Rob
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Principal Consultant, SharePoint and Power Platform WSP Global (and classic 1967 Morris Traveller driver)

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nshaw75 440 on at

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Hi @RobElliot,

Thanks very much for the reply. I don't know if it is because my app was too complex but when I would simply change the Data Source for the App, there were so red crosses appear it was easier to rebuild the entire form than to go through and redirect all the controls. I had found info and help on here where someone suggested I used environmental variables. These worked fine, the only issue is we can only make use of one environment and therefore the methods suggested didn't work. Again I have been shown that using variables in the OnStart property would work. I have got this working, only for the gallery and ViewForm experience. Now I want to have a NewForm to create new entries I am coming up against issues again. I am a bit of a noob but am getting by, bit by bit, just need a breakthrough which I got this morning on one part, just need to be able to deliver the whole thing.

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nshaw75 440 on at

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A very partial success, whereby I have created a small form, which when I Submit creates a new row in y SharePoint table, however for some reason none of the information from the form moves over.

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