Simplifying Data Sorting, Searching and Filtering with Smart Grids (preview)
Now that Smart Grids are in public preview via model-driven apps views, users can rapidly locate, filter, and sort their data using natural language instead of complex advanced filters. By using AI, the functionality streamlines data administration and enhances user experience by turning grid views into a smooth interface for immediate responses, locating records and starting actions on your data. In Power Apps model-driven apps (including Dynamics 365 apps), you may now ask queries about data using natural language when utilizing the main grid view. Requesting “Task with high priority with pending follow-up after the specified date,” for instance, will limit your screen to just see those pertinent cases. The following features are supported:• Filtering of record• Sorting• Text search The following capabilities aren’t supported:• Query aggregation• Query grouping• Adding columns Things to Think AboutCheck the generated filter tags after running a query to make sure your natural language query’s filter criteria were successfully interpreted. If any portion of your query is absent from the filter tags, that condition did not filter the results.In the event that Copilot fails to yield the intended results, think about changing your query by:• Using the names of the data columns as they appear in the grid header• Using commas or periods to separate several conditions• A text search will be conducted using search strings that contain two words or fewer (prior functionality).• Use more than two terms when conducting a Copilot search. Put the search string in single or double quotations to do a text search for more than two words. In conclusion, the introduction of Smart Grids in public preview for model-driven apps marks a significant advancement in how users interact with and manage their data. By leveraging natural language queries, users can now filter, sort, and search through grid data with ease, eliminating the need for complex manual filtering. This functionality enhances the user experience, making it more intuitive and efficient, especially for those who need to quickly locate and take action on records. Please take note that this is a preview feature that will be enhanced with every weekly update. Thank you, Arvind Khadye for your valuable inputs to this blog!
Efficient Data Management using New Enhanced Grid Features in Power Apps
The 2024 Wave 2 release includes a noteworthy update in the form of new grid features in Power Apps. What is it all about?These improvements are meant to make it easier for users to view and use data. Users will find it easier to manage massive datasets with the new grid’s better data filtering, sorting, and inline editing features. These features improve user productivity by enabling speedy information retrieval and updating, while also streamlining and simplifying data management. Businesses that primarily rely on data-driven decision-making and require effective tools to manage their data may especially benefit from this update. Model-driven applications now have new grid features that make it easier for users to view and interact with data. You may easily accomplish various jobs with the capabilities, such as grouping and aggregating data, rearranging columns, and setting column width. What are it’s features?Numerous functional and aesthetic enhancements to the Power Apps grid control enhance users’ out of the box experience. Grouping and aggregationUsers of the Power Apps grid control have the option to organize data according to a particular column. Users can choose to extend (and re-collapse) groups, although they are collapsed by default. Regardless of whether the grid is set to be editable or read-only, this feature is accessible. Users can also combine one or more of the grid’s numerical columns. Users have the option to view the average, minimum, maximum, or sum of the numbers in each column. This aggregate value will also be shown for each group if grouping has been used. When an entity is set up to use the pipeline view or the read-only grid component by default, these features are activated. You must enable this behavior for other instances that require manual configuration by utilizing the Enable grouping and Enable aggregation options. Column headers allow users to aggregate and combine columns. Only column types that support these operations have options. Simple column rearrangingThe ability of users to rearrange columns directly within the grid is determined by the Allow column reordering property. This includes using the Move left and Move right actions from column header dropdown menus, as well as the ability to drag and drop column heads.Redesigned list mode styleThe Power Apps grid control’s list mode has been modified to conform to Fluent styling, with adjustments made to the font size and weight to denote the relative importance of each field in the list.List mode sorting is supportedUsers notice a new header row with a sort icon at the top of the list when using the Power Apps grid control in list mode. By clicking on this button, the user can select the sort direction and column from a menu. If column sorting is not supported by the grid, this option is suppressed.Command bar for nested gridWhen a row in the nested grid is chosen in the Power Apps grid control with configured nested grids, the correct command bar is now displayed.Column width can be set to a specific valueNow, using the column settings, you may adjust the column width to a certain pixel value. This makes it possible to set column width with just the keyboard.The ability to scroll endlessly while selecting every record On all contemporary grids, the option to choose all records will be present by default. This option will select up to 1000 records when used with infinite scroll. Conclusion:So now users will have more privilege while working with columns and data in grids and views. Now, you can adjust the column widths, aggregate the data, group the data, and more. A feature that greatly simplifies working with fields for average users. Thank you, Arvind Khadye for your valuable inputs to this blog.