Power Apps Canvas Code Editor: EVERYTHING You Need To Know

In this tutorial, Brian Knight from Pragmatic Works introduces an exciting new feature in Power Apps Canvas applications—the ability to view and work with the code behind any object. This functionality allows developers to copy, modify, and reuse code snippets, making app development more efficient and standardized.

Exploring the Canvas Code Editor

The new Canvas Code Editor in Power Apps uses YAML (YAML Ain’t Markup Language), a human-readable data serialization format that’s been integrated into Microsoft’s ecosystem for managing the properties of Canvas applications. With this new feature, you can easily view and copy the code behind any object in your app, enabling you to replicate or modify it across different screens or even different apps.

Step 1: Viewing the Code Behind an Object

To start, open your Canvas app in Power Apps and select an object, such as a button, on your screen:

• Right-click on the object (e.g., a button) in the left-side panel where it’s listed under its screen.
• Select View Code (Preview) from the context menu.
• The code for the selected object will be displayed in YAML format.

Step 2: Copying and Editing the Code

While direct editing within the Power Apps interface is not currently available, you can copy the YAML code to an external editor like Notepad:

• Copy the displayed YAML code and paste it into an editor such as Notepad.
• Make any necessary modifications, such as renaming the object or changing its properties (e.g., changing the button text or adjusting the X and Y coordinates).
• Once edited, you can reuse this code snippet in another part of your app or in a different app altogether.

Step 3: Pasting the Code Back into Power Apps

After making your edits, you can paste the modified code back into your Canvas app:

• Right-click on the desired screen or container where you want to paste the code.
• Select Paste Using Code and paste your modified YAML code.
• Your new or modified objects will appear on the screen, placed according to the properties defined in the code.

Using the Code Editor for Containers

This feature is not limited to individual objects like buttons. You can also view and copy the code for entire containers, including all their child elements:

• Select the container and right-click to view its code.
• Copy the code to your editor, make the necessary changes, and then paste it back into another container within your app.

Benefits of the Canvas Code Editor

This new capability offers several advantages:

• Reusability: Easily reuse code snippets across multiple apps or screens, saving time and ensuring consistency.
• Source Control: Store commonly used code snippets in a source control system, allowing teams to maintain a shared library of components.
• Standardization: Implement standardized components across your organization by copying and pasting pre-approved code snippets.

This feature has been highly requested by the Power Apps community, and Microsoft has finally delivered. By leveraging the Canvas Code Editor, developers can streamline their workflow and improve the efficiency of app development.

Don't forget to check out the Pragmatic Works' on-demand learning platform for more insightful content and training sessions on Power 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.