When Microsoft first introduced Power Apps, it promised a future where businesses could build applications without needing to write a single line of code. For many companies, that vision has become a reality, yet for others with more complex needs, low-code/no-code solutions can fall short. Our solutions balance low code / no code solutions with custom code upgrades to meet more intricate customer requirements.
Recently, Justin Pettet, one of our Senior Consultants here at Mojo Soup, shared his insights on ‘Getting Started with the Grid Customiser” at the QLD Business Apps User Group, exploring how custom code can elevate Power Apps beyond its standard, out-of-the-box capabilities.
To learn more, we sat down with Justin to understand his perspective on:
- How customising grids with code makes data more engaging and boosts usability? And;
- When it makes sense to unlock new possibilities with custom code?
The limitations of low-code solutions
Low-code platforms like Power Apps offer an incredible amount of flexibility right out of the box. You can drag and drop to build forms, create workflows, and integrate data without touching a single line of code. For small to mid-sized projects, this level of functionality is often sufficient to efficiently streamline business processes, automate repetitive tasks, and create user-friendly applications that solve immediate business challenges.
But what happens when your business has very specific requirements? Perhaps you are managing enormous data sets and need advanced filtering and visualisation tools, or maybe you need to create a seamless integration with legacy systems. In these cases, low-code solutions can start to show their limits. You may find that the standard features just do not provide the granularity or customisation needed to operate efficiently.
When custom code makes the difference
Custom code shines in situations where the out-of-the-box functionality of Power Apps needs to be enhanced to meet specific, complex requirements. At Mojo Soup, we have seen firsthand how adding custom code to Power Apps unlocks new capabilities.
One of our customers, a leading Australian Energy provider needed a solution to help them handle vast amounts of data. They identified that using Power Apps’ default grid functionality had not provided the level of customisation and interactivity needed to support their business processes. They needed their data to be more visually engaging and easier to interpret.
By adding custom code, we created a grid customiser that colour-coded high-risk items, making it easy for users to spot critical information in massive data sets. We added hover-over features which allowed users to see more context about a record without navigating from the main screen. These small tweaks made a huge difference to our client in both usability and efficiency.
Custom code gives our customers the flexibility to tailor solutions to their exact business needs. Whether extending the visual capabilities of Power Apps or integrating third-party systems, PowerApps enable us to push solutions beyond their default settings to deliver a fit for purpose solution every time.
The best of both worlds
We sometimes hear concern from customers worrying about the potential for long-term maintenance challenges. After all, Power Apps is designed to be simple. Add custom code, and suddenly you need someone with technical expertise to manage it, right?
Not necessarily. While custom code does require maintenance, our team ensures that every build adheres to Microsoft’s best practices, so it’s designed to evolve alongside your existing systems. In addition, with our ongoing support services (Thrive), you don’t need to worry about what happens after deployment. We make sure your custom solutions continue to work seamlessly, even as Power Apps and other Microsoft tools are updated.
The Mojo Soup difference – low code + custom code = thrive!
At Mojo Soup, we build more than apps, we build solutions. Our team brings the technical expertise needed to navigate the complex world of Power Apps and Microsoft platforms – and the experience and expertise to know when and how to extend those solutions with custom code.
Whether you are dealing with vast amounts of data, complex workflows, or specialised business processes, Mojo Soup is here to help your business go beyond low code. Together, we’re invested in providing the solution you really need, and the support to keep your solution and your business thriving.
Curious how custom solutions can transform your business? Read our case studies to see how we’ve helped organisations like yours unlock the full potential of Power Apps, Project for the Web, and Planner Premium. For more on Microsoft’s Power Platform, head to Microsoft’s official page.
