Power Pages – Day 3
The third day enables the developer to:
- Enhance the appearance and behaviour of pages and forms
- Add more complex objects to pages and forms
- Understand the capabilities and limitations of using Copilot in Power Pages
Sub grids (editable)
Sub grids on forms are read-only by default, but it is possible to customise them so records can be created, edited and deleted directly in the sub grid.
Dropdowns
When looking up records in a related table, the default display on a form is a ‘lookup’.
Lookups are ideal when more than one column is required or where the text is too long and needs to word wrap onto a second line.
Where one column is sufficient, a ‘lookup’ can be converted to a ‘dropdown’ to provide a more efficient user interface.
Rich text editor
Multi-line columns do not offer formatting by default.
Where formatting is required, the standard display can be replaced with a rich text editor.
Images
Images can easily be added to pages to improve appeal and useability
Created/modified by
The Created By and Modified By columns are not populated correctly in Power Pages.
However, it is possible to create a workaround which populates similarly named columns correctly.
Quick view forms
When looking up records in a related table, useability can sometimes be improved by using a quick view form to display multiple columns from the related table or to word-wrap a column containing a long string of text.
Card controls
Card controls provide an easy way to create attractive and user-friendly links to other parts of the site or other sites.
Attachments
Pending development. It is envisaged that the used case for multi-step forms will incorporate the use of attachments.
Multi-step forms
Good examples of multi-step forms are airline and hotel bookings.
Pending development. A suitable used case for training purposes is being identified.
Copilot
One use of Copilot is to add a Virtual agent to a site to enhance useability.
Another use of Copilot is to assist with development.
It is recommended that developers first acquire a basic understanding of Power Pages so they can understand what Copilot can/cannot create and so they can maintain what Copilot creates.