X – Create X records in a collection using Sequence

Introduction

Sequence is a very interesting function that was introduced not too long ago. Using galleries as editable grids has become a common pattern in Power Apps. This is mainly because there isn't another control that can do that, like in model-driven apps. The steps to achieve such functionality, at a high level, are:

• Create a collection of records
• Use this as the Items property of a gallery
• Use a button to add a record to the collection
• Update existing records and create new records using a button

With these steps, you can add one record at a time. What if you want to accept a number from users to add multiple records at a time? Because why not, its all about user experience and less clicks! Sequence function to the rescue!

Tip - Sequence function!

In one of my earlier blogs (here), I had suggested creating a temporary collection of numbers using the following expression:

ClearCollect(colNumbers,["1","2","3","4","5","6","7","8","9","10",...,"98","99","100",...])

You can then use the following expression to add multiple records:

ForAll(FirstN(colNumbers,Value(txtUserInput.Text)), Collect(colAccounts, "New account"))

Adding multiple records is now much simpler. You can do that without using the temporary number collection by using the Sequence function. Here is the simplified expression:

ForAll(Sequence(Value(txtUserInput.Text)), Collect(colAccounts, "New account"))

To illustrate this, here is a quick demo:

I modified the expression slightly to add one record by default if there is no input from the user:

If(IsBlank(txtUserInput.Text), Collect(colAccounts, "New account"), ForAll(Sequence(Value(txtUserInput.Text)), Collect(colAccounts, "New account")))

Sequence function can be used for many more purposes - how about a separate blog on that?

For the list of all Power Apps formulas, click here.

Stay tuned for the remaining 2 tips!

Related articles

1. A-Z: 26 tips! Learn how to improve your Power Apps!
2. Add Picture vs Camera Control – Who is the winner?
3. Background images for Power Apps screens – the right way!
4. Combo box or Dropdown? - Who is the winner?
5. Delegation in Power Apps – How to identify and test!
6. Edit vs Display – Which is the better form?
7. Formulas – How to learn the 170+ Power Apps formulas?
8. Galleries vs Data Tables – How to pick between the two in Power Apps?
9. Hyperlinks – How to launch web pages & apps in Power Apps!
10. Icons – How to increase performance!
11. Jump start – How to speed up Power Apps dev with components!
12. Keyboard – How to control the keyboard type on mobile
13. LastSubmit – How to fetch the last submitted record in Power Apps
14. Media controls in Power Apps – How to improve user experience!
15. New screens – How to speed up Power Apps dev using templates!
16. OnStart – How to optimize app loading experience!
17. Phone camera – How to switch cameras on Power Apps mobile!
18. Quotes – Should you use single or double in Power Apps?
19. Reset – How to reset a Power Apps gallery?
20. SaveData – How to persist your Power Apps sessions!
21. Tables – How to create tables in Power Apps
22. User – How to fetch current user’s details in Power Apps
23. Variables – What happens when global & context var have the same name?
24. Wrap Count – How to change the layout of Power Apps galleries