One of the biggest changes we’re most excited about involves the addition of a new AI tool, Copilot, into the Power Apps ecosystem. We can’t hold back any longer, so keep reading and we’ll spill the beans on all the Power Apps changes coming in 2023, including Copilot, in-app chatbots, the Figma UI Kit, and more.
1. Use Text to Build Apps with Copilot
You may already know Copilot from GitHub, and now it’s coming to Power Apps. This AI-powered feature allows you to simply type a description of what your app should do, then builds it for you. What a lifesaver for first-time builders with no coding experience. (Yet.)
While Microsoft AI Builder already makes custom app building easy with its pre-built AI model templates, Copilot takes things a step further. Using GPT-3, Copilot translates natural language inputs (a.k.a. your description of the app you want) and online sources to create a base schema that’s mapped to Dataverse data types.
Makers can also ask Copilot to change any aspects of the generated app or ask for additional sample data. For example, you can ask Copilot to change a text input into a choice input. Then, you simply publish your app and you’re done.
2. In-app Data Analyzer and Chatbots
Speaking of AI, the future of Power Apps includes native integration of Power Virtual Agent chatbots. These chatbots use AI and natural language processing to hold a conversation with users, including answering questions and helping them work through problems.
These built-in conversation features include a new data analyzer control that allows users to ask questions about data in the app to get quick insights and answers.
For example, an equipment log app could include a chatbot that lets users ask what the most popular equipment is or when the last piece of equipment was checked out.
P.S. Any apps you build with Copilot include a chatbot that lets users ask it questions about data hosted in the app. Copilot then uses its machine learning algorithm to analyze the data and generate an answer.
3. Turn Sketches Into Apps with Figma UI Kit
The Figma UI Kit takes your pen-and-paper sketches and turns them into working apps. Additionally, you can provide a link to any Figma design file and have Power Apps build a canvas app based on the wireframe design.
With this integration, design frames are converted into screens in Power Apps. And once the app’s UI is ready to go, you can connect it to data, add logic, and implement controls and additional features.
4. Coauthoring Capabilities
Ever wished you could collaborate with another maker to build an app? Now you can—coauthoring features are coming to Power Apps.
These features allow multiple makers to work on an app at the same time. Any changes made are reflected in real-time, so teams and collaborators can work together seamlessly.
The new coauthoring capabilities can also enable makers and subject matter experts to collaborate and sign off on app features without the need to sift through multiple emails. (Or worse, lengthy email chains.)
P.S. Building with a buddy is better, and we know it. Check out our Power Apps SHERPA program, which offers a cost-effective group approach to implementing Power Apps into your business processes.
5. Gather More Data with Cards for Power Apps
Along with upgrades that add a drag-and-drop interface to the responsive pages builder, Power Apps is getting access to adaptive Cards. These cards allow site and app builders to display small nuggets of data or interact with users in a quick, less-intrusive way.
For example, Cards for Power Apps can enable a maker to add a card that pops up in their app that asks how the user’s experience with the app has been so far. This allows the maker to gather user sentiment data without completely disrupting the user’s session.
Future updates to Cards for Power apps may also allow cards to trigger flows and actions, which could make them an invaluable tool.
Unlock New Power Apps Features with JourneyTEAM
Ready to add these new Power Apps features and capabilities to your business’ tech stack? JourneyTEAM can help.
Our Power Platform experts are ready to collaborate and guide you through the process of building a custom application, setting up Power Apps for Office 365, or deploying a new app at your company. And we’ll admit, we’re itching to help companies like yours implement these new Power App features, including Copilot and other AI tools.
Contact JourneyTEAM to find out how we can help you get started creating custom Power Apps that improve your company’s efficiency, productivity, and communication.