PowerApps 'With' Function - Basic Introduction (Tutorial)

PowerApps released the With function recently and we can see so much potential for it. Where Set() creates global variables that could be used throughout the app, and UpdateContext() creates variables that are only accessible on one screen, With() allows for variables to be used in context of one specific formula, without affecting anything else in the application.

To start though, let's get the basics out of the way on why it exists and how to use it.

Here is a link to the docs from Microsoft.

[jeemeewong]

Got stuck w every other presenter except this one here. Awesome. I feel ready to talk about powerapps tmw then. Thanks so much!

[jimfitch]

When I first heard of With function, I thought, “This is the LET function in Excel.” I love the LET function: it makes complex formulas easier to read & maintain; it can more efficient b/c it calculates the variable value once in the formula. I imagine the same would be true here? If our formula uses the same expression more than once in a formula (like, say, ListName.ColumnName.Value), then we can use With to calculate the value of that expression (once), store it in the variable, then feed the variable to the formula where that expression would be used. Good stuff! Thanks. Good explanation.

[DavidGerard]

Hey Dave, thanks for the great video.
I'm just watching that now, at the time that Excel is coming up with something very similar with the LET () function.

[NKBobcat]

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{
selAction: "Subscribed",
selEmotion: "Liked"
},
"I am " & selAction & "and I" & selEmotion & "this video"
)