PowerApps: Patch Create n Update

 Hello Friends,

Welcome back with another post. Today, we will discuss about Patch function in PowerApps. Patch function is used to create as well update a record in data source. It returns the object of the record it has created or updated.

So, the scenario is- "Sometimes, we have a mix of existing records as well as new records (yet to create in data source) in collection. Now, we want to update the existing records while if the record is not available, then we need to create that record.". Let's see, how we can achieve this-

1. I have a simple list named "PatchCommandList" having 2 columns Title & LName.
2. Right now, it is empty.
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3. Now, we will create a PowerApps app named "PatchCommandApp".
4. Add SharePoint data source connection and add that list in PowerApps.
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5. Now add a button and write below function on it's OnSelect property.

6. If(
       IsBlankOrError(
           Patch(
               PatchCommandList,
               First(
                   Filter(
                       PatchCommandList,
                       Title = "Sachin"
                   )
               ),
               {LName: "Jain"}
           )
       ),
       Patch(
           PatchCommandList,
           Defaults(PatchCommandList),
           {
               Title: "Sachin",
               LName: "Jain"
           }
       )
   )
   

7. What this code will perform is that, it will first execute a Patch update command and check if the result is blank or any error occurred. If YES, then it means that the record we are going to update doesn't exists, therefore, it will execute another Patch command which will insert the record.
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8. Now play the app and press the button. You will be surprised, that the record get inserted.
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9. Now, I will change the LName in update section.
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10. Once, again, play the app and press the button. Now, it should update the existing record. Let's see the output.
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11. Wow!, It updated the record.
12. So, this way, you can use Patch function in this way when you are in dilemma and not sure which record to update and which to insert.

With this, I am concluding this post.

Happy Coding !!!

Will see you again with some new topics.

Stay Safe !

Stay Healthy !