PowerApps Write Back to Excel

[Williams25k]

I am attempting to have a PowerApp form to write back to a data source which is feeding one of the tables in my dashboard. 

I have seen videos online of how to do this but after following the instructions I can't quite get it to work. 

My data source (and the field I want users to be able to edit) is in Excel and is formatted as a table. It is saved on my One drive (also where the PBI file is saved).

The data source has a relationship within PowerBI with another file that are connected by a unique ID (in this case, a patients health record number).

I want a simple form that allows the end user to to be able to type "Yes" or "No" for whether or not they spoke to a patient about a particilar procedure during their visit. This is a column in the data source titled "Spoke to Patient".

If anyone can point me to a video or provide instructions for how to do this I would greatly appreciate it.

[Jonvoge · Accepted solution]

Hi Williams25k

I have written quite extensively about write-back to Power BI from Power Apps:

Guide: Add Write-Back to Power BI reports with Power Apps – Part 2: Display write-back data LIVE in ...

Fabric/Power BI Write-Back made easy w. Fabric SQL Databases – Downhill Data

The key question is whether or not you need the data to show up in your report live, or if you can wait until after a refresh?

If you can wait for the refresh, your best option is a Sharepoint List, which will minimize license costs, as you won't need Premium Power Apps.

If you need live data, you need a Premium Data Source, like a SQL Database or Dataverse, and connect via DirectQuery in Power BI.

For more info, check out the links above for some of the options.

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[Jonvoge · Accepted solution]

Hi Williams25k

I have written quite extensively about write-back to Power BI from Power Apps:

Guide: Add Write-Back to Power BI reports with Power Apps – Part 2: Display write-back data LIVE in ...

Fabric/Power BI Write-Back made easy w. Fabric SQL Databases – Downhill Data

The key question is whether or not you need the data to show up in your report live, or if you can wait until after a refresh?

If you can wait for the refresh, your best option is a Sharepoint List, which will minimize license costs, as you won't need Premium Power Apps.

If you need live data, you need a Premium Data Source, like a SQL Database or Dataverse, and connect via DirectQuery in Power BI.

For more info, check out the links above for some of the options.

_____________________________________________________
I hope my comment was helpful.
If your question was answered, please mark your post as 'Solved' and consider giving me a 'Thumbs Up'.
Find me on LinkedIn, Sessionize, or my blog Downhill Data

[Williams25k]

Thank you for your response. I suppose I'm ok with waiting for a refresh. Can you point me to a resource that shows the best way to do this with a Sharepoint list? 

Your help is appreciated.

[Anonymous · Accepted solution]

Hi @Williams25k,

Thank you for reaching out in Microsoft Community Forum.

please follow below ways to resolve the error;

1. Use a SharePoint List to store and update patient data instead of Excel.

2. Create a Power Apps form to edit the "Spoke to Patient" field and write back to SharePoint.

3. Refresh Power BI using Scheduled Refresh or Power Automate to reflect updates.

Please continue using Microsoft community forum.

If you found this post helpful, please consider marking it as "Accept as Solution" and give it a 'Kudos'. if it was helpful. help other members find it more easily.

Regards,
Pavan.

[Anonymous]

Hi @Williams25k,

Thank you for reaching out in Microsoft Community Forum.

Thank you @lbendlin   for the helpful response.

As suggested by Ibendlin,  I hope this information was helpful. Please let me know if you have any further questions or you'd like to discuss this further. If this answers your question, please "Accept as Solution" and give it a 'Kudos' so others can find it easily.

Please continue using Microsoft community forum.

Regards,
Pavan.

[lbendlin]

Excel on OneDrive is not a foldable data source. That means when you write the result into the Excel file via the Patch command in PowerApps  this change will not be reflected in the Power BI User Interface until the next refresh has happened and the user has interacted with the report again.   The whole user experience will be highly unsatisfactory.

Watch the video from last year's Ignite even where they discussed the upcoming data write back plans.