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What is Power Apps?

Power Apps is Microsoft's suite of apps, services, connectors and a data platform for building custom business apps quickly. This guide covers what it's used for, its app types and how it relates to Dataverse.

What is Power Apps used for?

Power Apps turns manual business processes into digital, automated ones. The apps run in the browser and on mobile devices.

  • Form and approval apps. Moving requests, approvals and records out of email and Excel into an app.
  • Field and mobile apps. Letting field teams enter data from their phones.
  • Working with existing data. Connecting to data in SharePoint, Microsoft 365, Dynamics 365 or SQL Server.

Which types of apps can you build with Power Apps?

Power Apps has two types of apps: canvas and model-driven.

TypeHow it worksGood fit when
Canvas appYou design the screen pixel by pixel; connectors link it to different dataA focused app where the look matters
Model-driven appBuilt from the data model in Microsoft DataverseBusiness apps with many tables and heavy processes

How do Power Apps and Dynamics 365 relate?

Model-driven apps run on Microsoft Dataverse. Apps such as Dynamics 365 Sales and Customer Service store their data in the same Dataverse. That makes Power Apps the natural way to extend Dynamics 365 too.

Frequently asked questions

Do you need to write code for Power Apps?

No; apps can be built without code. When needed, developers extend them with code and custom connectors.

Does Power Apps need a license?

Building apps is free. Using the apps you build needs a license.

Does Power Apps run on-premises?

Power Apps is a cloud service. It can still connect to on-premises data sources.

  • Power Apps · Power Automate · Power BI

    Power Platform

    Business apps, automated flows and reports.

  • Cloud · On-premises

    Dynamics 365

    Sales and customer service; migrations from other CRMs and integrations.

  • With your team

    Workshops

    Focused sessions that turn one topic into a roadmap with your team.

Let's review your Power Apps idea together

In the intro call, we talk through your processes, where your data lives and your goal.