Use specialized form components
Power Apps provides controls for model-driven apps that allow users to visualize data within table columns in addition to enabling interaction with them. This unit contains more details on several of the most common ones.
Grid controls
Grid controls are configurable for a Table or a Form as a read-only subgrid, and editable grid, or as a Power Apps grid control (preview). The read-only subgrid allows you to present a view of data related to the current record where users can view and open the record from within the grid. Editable grids allow users rich in-line editing of records directly from views and subgrids whether they're using a web app, tablet, or phone. The Power Apps grid control represents the next evolution of the Power Apps grid control, allowing users to view, open, and edit records from views and subgrids. By default, the Power Apps grid control is read-only, but you can configure it to be editable.
Display controls
Display controls provide you with the ability to display information in your app that isn't directly related to table data. Examples include the Calendar control, which allows users to view scheduled activities and their associated details in a calendar. Another display control is an embedded Canvas app, which enables rich data integration of various data sources right next to contextual data from the host model-driven form. A web resource such as an HTML page or image file is another display control. Another is a Knowledge search control (which requires Dynamics 365 Customer Service app) to make it easy for users in your organization to find knowledge articles so they can answer common customer questions and resolve their issues right from the records, without having to switch to a different application. Other Display controls include:
External website (iframe)
You can add inline frames (iframes) to a form to integrate content from another website within a form. Iframes can be added to the form by inserting an External website display control onto the form and inputting a URL. Once the iframe is added to your form, you can configure how it renders.
Quick view
A quick view control on a model-driven app form displays data from a row that is selected in a lookup on the form. The data displayed in the control is defined using a quick view form. The data displayed isn't editable, but when the primary column is included in the quick view form, it becomes a link to open the related row.
Timeline control
The timeline helps app users see all activity history. The timeline control is used to capture activities like notes, appointments, emails, phone calls, and tasks. It ensures that all interactions with the related table are tracked and visible over time. Use the timeline to quickly catch up on all of the latest activity details.
The timeline control provides an easy way to view information related to a table, such as accounts or contacts. This immersive experience helps give users a better understanding of their customer interactions and helps them deliver more personalized service in an efficient and effective manner.
App makers can configure the information displayed on the timeline to help users access information and create new activity records, such as emails and tasks directly from the timeline quickly so they can deliver more personalized service.
Input controls
Input controls provide the means for users to input data. Some of these controls are the Checkbox, which allows users to choose between binary values, Number input which allows users to tap plus and minus buttons to change a numeric value in configurable increments (or type a number directly into the control), and the Option set which presents a set of choices for users to choose from during data entry. Other input controls include the Pen input as a means to capture written input as signatures, the Rich text editor which provides an editing area for formatting text, and the Star rating and Toggle controls.
Other controls
Microsoft continues to add controls that you can add to your forms. One of these controls is a Business card reader allowing users to detect business cards and extract their information. Also, the Power BI report allows you to add one directly to your form. At the bottom of the Components panel is a Get more components button providing a list of components available in the environment.
Summary
These are just some of the options available for customizing your model-driven apps forms experience. Forms are highly customizable for different business requirements. The form editor makes it easy to add specialized form components exactly where you want them.