Microsoft Power FX | Beginner Guide | 2024 Updates

What is it?

Microsoft Power FX is a low-code programming language used in Microsoft Power Platform. Power FX is open-source, available on Github for developers to use when building their web applications.

Microsoft is expanding the reach of Power FX, by actively integrating it into key products within the Microsoft Power Platform ecosystem. This includes Microsoft Power Virtual Agents, Microsoft Dataverse, and Model-driven Power Apps.

How it works

The primary core of Power FX, or any programming language is expression, meaning to write a calculation over numbers, strings and any other data types.

However, expression without clear purpose doesn’t work, as programmers must write it in a variable, or use expressions in a function. 

Power FX presents a concept of formula, inclusion of expressions and names (aka identifiers)/

For example: v = s / t, where:

• v: The Velocity (meters per second, kilometers per hour…)
• s: The distance traveled (meters, kilometers…)
• t represents the time taken to travel the distance (seconds, hours, etc.)

Result: a formula named ‘v’ can be created to encapsulate this calculation. As the values of s (distance traveled) or/and t (time) change, the v formula should automatically update, from that calculating the new value.

Hence, Power FX is known as a formula language, with similar nature with Excel spreadsheets.

Why low-coded?

The landscape of web development is booming with no-code tools, empowering non programmers to create applications with greater ease.

Low-code languages offer a concise and user-friendly approach compared to traditional coding.

Low-code is the bridge to connect the no-code and pro-code worlds. It eliminates the need for extensive training or complex coding, fostering seamless collaboration within teams. Low-code programs play an important role to save resources with faster development cycles.

View more: LCNC Platform.

Why should I use Microsoft Power Fx?

Microsoft Power FX is a low-code language developed by the Microsoft team, and now being used on Microsoft Power Canvas. Below are the three reasons why you should consider using Power FX while developing your web applications:

Focus on business logic

Microsoft Power FX focuses on the business goals and logics; it emphasizes building the core functionality of a web application which defines the business logic (for example: data manipulation, calculations).

This language is also so simple to use, without having the developers to be bogged down in complex coding details. Power FX provides clear and expressive formulas.

Simple and easy to use

Low-code languages are long-known with ease to learn and to apply into business context, when compared to traditional programming languages.

Power FX reflects the simpleness by offering a concise syntax and familiar elements, for example: spreadsheet; as it can easily be used by non-programmers without any computer science background.

Microsoft Power FX and Excel

Key Similarities

Power FX is a formula language, and has the same mechanism with Excel spreadsheet formulas, with few key similarities as below:

1. Power FX and Excel formulas share a similar syntax, which’s easy to learn for people already familiar with spreadsheets. The operators may include: +, -, *, /, and functions like SUM, AVERAGE… Users with existing Excel knowledge can therefore leverage their work with Power FX.

2. Both are declarative language/ formula language, as they support users the ‘How’ to achieve your desires during creation. You don’t need to write the full equation, but only need to remember the formulas, as this simplicity makes it wider accessible for users without extensive programming experience.

3. Both Excel formulas and Power FX focus on defining logic within spreadsheets or applications. Therefore, they have similar functionalities, including calculation, data manipulation, and manage programs behavior based on predefined conditions.

Below is an example of a similar formula between Power FX and Excel spreadsheets.

Key Differences

1. Data source: Excel formulas are designed for spreadsheet calculations and data analysis within Microsoft Excel files. Its best ability is to connect with data within that sheet or pointed external data sources. Power FX is much wider, it could connect with a wider range of data sources within the platform ecosystem. 

2. Reason to use: Excel formulas focus on calculations and data analysis for specialized tasks. Power FX is easier to use, less complex and connects with multiple Microsoft products to write applications, by using extended features like canvas apps, Power Automate flows, and data visualizations..

3. Integrations: Power FX is much more flexible to integrate with various Microsoft products, as it allows to create workflows and functionalities, to form a completed app. Excel formulas focus solely on spreadsheets.

Key Takeaways

Power FX is another level of Excel spreadsheets; it is a formula language which is designed to build application logic and automation within the Microsoft Power Platform. 

Power FX is also open-sourced, accessible for programmers to use while building their web apps, as it also has wider functionalities and can be integrated with various Microsoft power platform products.