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Create a canvas app with data from a list

This article explains how to create a canvas app using data from Microsoft Lists or SharePoint. By following this method, you can build an app from a list and customize it to efficiently manage your data.

You can also connect to on-premises SharePoint lists through a data gateway.

You can create an app by using a list in SharePoint or Lists in two ways:

When the app is created, Power Apps Studio opens and shows an app with three screens:

  • Browse screen: Scroll through all items in the list.
  • Details screen: Show all information about a single item in the list.
  • Edit screen: Create an item or update information about an existing item.

Watch this video to learn how to create a canvas app from a list.

Note

When you create or view a list in SharePoint, you're automatically redirected to Microsoft Lists. The list is always available in both Microsoft Lists and SharePoint. Learn more in What is a list in Microsoft 365?

Prerequisites

Use SharePoint and Power Apps with a subscription to Microsoft 365 and Microsoft Power Platform.

Create a list

Before you create an app from a list, you need to create a list.

For this example, lets create a list to track device orders for your company and include the following columns with sample data:

  1. Employee name

  2. Device type

  3. Request date

  4. Reason for the order

  5. Approved or denied

  6. Status

    Screenshot of a sample list in Microsoft Lists that tracks device orders.

Use a list in SharePoint or Lists to create an app

Now lets use the list that we created to build an app from the list.

  1. Sign in to Power Apps.

  2. In the left navigation pane, select Create > Start with a page design > Gallery connected to external data.

  3. Select From SharePoint.

  4. Enter the SharePoint URL, and then select Connect. Or, select a recent site.

  5. Select a list or select the sample list we created earlier, and then select Create app.

    The app opens in Power Apps Studio, where you design, build, and manage the app. Learn more in Understand Power Apps Studio.

  6. Select the Preview the app icon to see how the app works.

  7. Save and publish your app.

    When you add or edit information in the app, the information in SharePoint or Lists also updates.

Create an app directly from a list in SharePoint or Lists

Before you create the app, make sure you create a list.

  1. Sign in to SharePoint: https://yourorganizationname.sharepoint.com

  2. Open a list in either SharePoint or Lists. If you open the list from SharePoint, you're taken to Lists to view the list.

  3. Select Integrate > Power Apps > Create an app.

    Screenshot of the Integrate menu in Lists, showing the option to create an app in Power Apps.

  4. Select the Preview the app icon to see how the app works.

  5. Save and publish your app.

    When you add or edit information in the app, the information in SharePoint or Lists also updates.

Manage your app

After you create an app, you can play, save, share, and publish it.

Learn more about these app actions in the Power Apps Studio interface.

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