SQL Server environment variables (Entra) for Power Apps will save you time moving your solutions from one environment to another. For example, from an environment used for dev or test to a different environment used for test or production. Manually create environment variables in your solution or set a switch in your app to auto-create them for you when you add a data source to your app while in your solution. Note that this feature is specifically for Entra. Power Apps with shared connections (e.g., SQL Auth) continue with connection references.

There are two environment variables to set for SQL connections: server and database. The database environment variable depends on the server environment variable. First you create an environment variable for your server. Once that is created you can create an environment variable for the database that attaches to the server environment variable.

Use an environment variable by selecting to create data source and instead of creating a new server database combo, use the ‘Advanced’ tab to select the environment variable to bind to the controls in your app.

Use SQL Server environment variables (Entra) to easily enable professional deployment patterns. See the documentation for this feature for an in-depth discussion: Use environment variables in Power Platform solutions – Power Apps | Microsoft Learn

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Gone are the days of switching between the app designer and backstage to set and manage variables and collections. In the new experience, app makers can now define and interact with them in real-time while designing the app. This creates an intuitive and seamless app-building process where makers can focus on building apps efficiently without unnecessary back and forth clicks.

View variables in app

While both variables and collections are defined the same way – using Power Fx, the new Variables panel is now available as part of the left rail in the app designer. Within the new Variables panel, it contains global variables, context variables, component variables, and collections. When each section is expanded, you can interact with each variable to view its definition, direct and indirect uses. By clicking on the results, the item in the app is then selected and shown on the relevant page with the formula bar highlighted.

View collections in app

Collections are located in the same panel, right underneath Variables. By clicking on ‘View Table’ in the ellipses, a modal appears showing the details of all the variables and collections established in the app. In the same modal, you can also view all the other variables in details, such as images or tables.

Learn More

For more information on setting variables or creating collections in canvas, please refer to further documentation below:

• Setting a variable
• Creating a collection

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