#PowerPlatformTip 134: 'Optimize Canvas Apps with YAML'

TL;DR: Copy a control’s YAML subset from Code view in Power Apps Studio and ask an AI tool for a focused review.

💡 Challenge

Ever wanted a second perspective on a Canvas App control? Code view exposes a readable YAML subset that an AI tool can review, while changes still need to be checked in the actual app.

✅ Solution

Copy a selected control’s code view and use your preferred AI tool for focused suggestions about readability and maintainability.

🔧 How It’s Done

1. Open your Canvas app in Studio

🔸 Go to the part of the app you want to analyze.

🔸 Select a control and open Code view to inspect and copy its YAML subset; this is not a full-app YAML export.

2. Paste the YAML into an AI tool like ChatGPT

🔸 Ask for a focused review, for example: “Review this Code view snippet. Identify one maintainability issue, quote the property and formula, explain the change, and show a suggested replacement. Don’t rewrite the whole app.”

3. Review the suggestions

🔸 Treat the response as a suggestion and verify the property and formula before applying a change in Studio. Code view is for inspecting code; make edits through the app designer.

🔸 A useful response identifies one control property, quotes the current formula, proposes a replacement, and states what to verify in Studio.

4. Implement and test the recommended changes in your app.

🎉 Result

By reviewing a selected control’s code with AI, you can get a specific suggestion to assess in Studio. A review does not establish that a change improves app performance.

🌟 Key Advantages

🔸 Focused review of a selected control

🔸 Better understanding of your app’s YAML structure

🔸 A concrete suggestion to assess in Studio

🎥 Video Tutorial

🛠️ FAQ

1. How can I copy YAML code from a Canvas App? Select a control in Power Apps Studio and open Code view to inspect and copy its YAML subset. This view isn’t a full-app YAML export.

2. Can AI tools like ChatGPT suggest changes to Canvas App code? The example prompt asks for a suggested replacement for the selected control’s snippet. Review it and apply changes through the app designer; Code view itself is for inspecting code.

3. Is it safe to share my Canvas App’s YAML code with AI tools? Be cautious. Avoid sharing sensitive or confidential data. If unsure, anonymize the data and focus on sharing code structure rather than user-specific information.

🔗 Related Tips

• #PowerPlatformTip 130: Build Apps Faster with YAML, paste ready-made YAML components into your app.
• #PowerPlatformTip 30: PowerApps Code Review, structured ways to review app quality.