Deeplinks in Canvas Apps

In this Pragmatic Works tutorial, Nate Halliwell, Senior Trainer, demonstrates how to create deep links in Canvas applications. Deep linking allows users to navigate directly to a specific screen within a Canvas app and even pre-load a particular item, streamlining workflows such as approvals.

Introduction to the Example

Nate uses a simple Canvas app designed to track PTO (Paid Time Off) requests. In the demo, he submits a sample PTO request for "Nate needs a vacation" and demonstrates how a Power Automate flow can notify the approver by email when a new request is submitted.

Setting Up the Base URL

• The base URL of a Canvas app is essentially the link to the app itself, e.g., www.myapp.com.
• Parameters can be added to the URL using a question mark (?) to indicate the start of parameters.
• Additional parameters are separated with an ampersand (&), e.g., ?approval=1&ItemID=19.

Using Parameters for Conditional Navigation

Nate explains that parameters allow the app to determine which screen to open. For instance:

• approval=1 indicates the approver is opening the app.
• ItemID=19 specifies the PTO request item to load.

These parameters help bypass the default home screen and navigate directly to a specific approval screen.

Configuring the Start Screen

• In the Canvas app, the StartScreen property determines which screen appears when the app opens.
• By default, apps go to the first screen, but using the Param function, you can conditionally open another screen.
• Example logic:

If Param("approval") is blank → Go to Home Screen  
If Param("approval") is not blank → Go to Approval Screen
  

Loading a Specific Item into a Form

Once the app navigates to the approval screen, Nate shows how to pre-load the item specified in the URL parameter:

• Create a global variable (VAR_ItemID) in the OnStart property.
• Use a lookup function to find the item in the SharePoint list by converting the parameter (string) to a number.
• Set the Item property of the form to this variable, ensuring the correct record displays automatically.

Integrating with Power Automate

• The Power Automate flow triggers when a new PTO request is added.
• It sends an email to the approver containing the deep link with approval and ItemID parameters.
• Clicking the link opens the app directly to the approval screen with the relevant request pre-loaded.

Testing and Publishing

• Nate demonstrates submitting a test request and verifying that the email link correctly opens the app to the approval form.
• This confirms that both navigation and pre-loading of items work seamlessly.

Use Cases and Benefits

• Deep linking improves efficiency for approvers, managers, or any users needing direct access to specific screens.
• This approach can apply to approvals, edits, reviews, or other workflows where specific items need quick access.
• Users no longer need to manually navigate through the app to find a record.

Nate concludes by encouraging viewers to apply these techniques to their own Canvas apps and highlights the versatility of deep links in various scenarios. For more tutorials, he invites viewers to like and subscribe to Pragmatic Works’ YouTube channel.

Don't forget to check out the Pragmatic Works' on-demand learning platform for more insightful content and training sessions on Canvas Apps and other Microsoft applications. Be sure to subscribe to the Pragmatic Works YouTube channel to stay up-to-date on the latest tips and tricks.