What is modern text input in Power Apps and how do I use it?

What is modern text input in Power Apps?

Modern text input is a control you’ll find in Microsoft Power Apps designed to make it easier—and frankly, more pleasant—for people to enter and edit data in their apps. This control is part of the newer suite of modern controls, which are all about improving user experience and making apps more accessible, especially in canvas apps. Modern text input offers a smoother, more responsive, and consistent way for users to provide information, compared to the old-school or classic controls. You can use it for both single-line and multi-line entry, and it comes with built-in accessibility features. Plus, it’s easy to customize so your app looks and feels just right for your business.

It’s worth considering that modern text input is built around Microsoft’s latest Fluent UI design principles, which focus on clarity, simplicity, and flexibility. This means your apps won’t just look updated—they’ll also work seamlessly across Microsoft 365 environments and devices, whether someone’s on a desktop, tablet, or smartphone. Picture a sales manager inputting feedback from a customer while out in the field on a tablet, and then a back-office team member reviewing that same data on their desktop—both will enjoy the same consistent experience.

Microsoft Power Apps is a key part of the broader Microsoft Power Platform, letting organizations build custom business applications with little or no code. By using modern controls like modern text input, app creators can streamline how they collect data, minimize errors, and deliver interfaces that meet today’s usability standards.

Key features and benefits of modern text input

There are some clear advantages to using modern text input in Power Apps over the older controls:

• Up-to-date design: Follows Microsoft’s current guidelines for a consistent look and feel across devices.
• Flexible input: Handles both single-line and multi-line input, suitable for anything from a quick name field to a longer comment or description.
• Responsive: Automatically adjusts to screen size, whether in a browser, mobile device, or Microsoft Teams.
• Accessibility: Supports keyboard navigation, screen readers, and high-contrast modes, making it easier for organizations to meet compliance requirements.
• Customization: Easily tweak border radius, font, colors, and placeholder text to match your brand.
• Validation and formatting: Real-time validation, input restrictions, and formatting options help ensure accurate data collection.

For example, if you’re building an HR app to collect feedback, you can be confident that someone with visual impairments will get the support they need from screen readers, while someone with limited mobility can move through input fields using just their keyboard. This is especially important for businesses that have to follow regulations like the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) or Section 508.

If you’re working on a financial services app, you can set it so only numbers are allowed in a budget field, add custom error messages, or even auto-format currency to help keep things clear and consistent.

Differences between modern and classic text input controls

The main differences between modern and classic text input controls come down to their design philosophy and the features they offer. Here’s a comparison:

For example, a classic text input might need additional setup to work well with screen readers or to ensure there’s enough color contrast. The modern version has these things covered from the start, which saves you time and helps avoid compliance issues.

If you want your app to have a consistent look across all screens, modern controls let you apply a theme to everything at once, making maintenance and future updates much simpler.

Step-by-step: How to add and configure modern text input in Power Apps

To add and set up a modern text input control in Power Apps:

• Open your canvas app—or create a new one—in Power Apps Studio.
• Go to the “Insert” menu on the left and select “Modern controls.”
• Pick “Text input” from the list.
• Drag and drop the modern text input control onto the canvas where you want users to enter information.
• Use the properties pane on the right to set:
  • Default value (what shows up when the field loads)
  • Placeholder text (a hint for users)
  • Mode (single-line or multi-line)
  • MaxLength (maximum number of characters allowed)
• Adjust appearance: font, color, border radius, and background color to match your app’s design.
• For input validation, use the “OnChange” or “OnSelect” properties to add logic that reviews what users type and gives feedback if needed.
• For accessibility, ensure each text input has a label and clear placeholder text.
• Save and publish your app so everyone can use the new features.

Power Apps gives you an instant preview, so you can see and test how the control works in real time. For example, if you’re an operations manager building an incident report form, you can quickly add modern text input fields for descriptions, set validation to require a certain number of characters, and preview the user experience on both desktop and mobile before making it available to your team.

Best practices for using modern text input

• Provide clear and concise placeholder text so users know exactly what to enter.
• Use consistent labeling to help everyone understand the purpose of each input field.
• Set up input validation to avoid mistakes or incomplete data (limit entries to certain characters, require fields, or use regular expressions).
• Offer instant feedback if a user makes a mistake.
• Choose colors with good contrast and ensure all instructions and feedback are available to screen readers.
• Test your app with keyboard navigation to confirm that every control can be reached and used without a mouse.
• Use your organization’s branding for fonts, colors, and spacing.
• Group related fields together and give enough space between sections to make forms easier to read and fill out.
• Monitor how people use your app and ask for feedback.
• Update your app regularly to add new features or make improvements based on what users need.
• For organizations with data privacy rules—like HIPAA or GDPR—ensure modern text input fields are set up securely and sensitive data is handled according to those laws.

Common issues and troubleshooting tips

• Double-check your settings, such as maximum length or validation rules, to make sure they fit your needs.
• Use Power Apps’ accessibility checker to catch and fix issues like missing labels or poor color contrast before launching your app.
• Avoid adding too many controls to one screen or using complicated validation logic, as this can slow down performance.
• If your modern text input control isn’t showing up, check that you’re using the latest version of Power Apps and that modern controls are enabled for your environment.
• Review Microsoft’s documentation for updates or platform-specific limitations.
• In managed environments or when using custom connectors, check for compatibility issues. Some features may require special licensing or be rolled out gradually.
• Stay up to date with Microsoft’s release notes and check the Power Apps community forums for solutions.

When and why to use modern text input in your business apps

Modern text input is the way to go whenever you need users to enter data in Power Apps, especially when user experience, accessibility, and a consistent look are important. It’s perfect for:

• Forms
• Feedback sections
• Search boxes
• Any situation where people need to type or edit information

Adopting modern controls is a smart move for organizations because they offer a solid, future-ready foundation for app development. Modern text input makes business apps easier to use, minimizes mistakes, and helps you stay compliant with accessibility standards.

For example, a logistics company using modern text input fields in a delivery tracking app allows drivers to add notes easily, whether they’re in bright sunlight or low-light conditions, on any device. Built-in accessibility features mean everyone on the team can use the app comfortably, supporting both inclusivity and regulatory requirements.

Bringing modern text input into your canvas apps helps with digital transformation by streamlining manual processes and making data capture more efficient. For Power GI and other service providers, this means delivering solutions that are not only effective but also user-friendly, supporting business goals while meeting important regulations.

By choosing modern text input controls, businesses can stay ahead of the curve, respond quickly to changing needs, and show their commitment to innovation and accessibility. This approach matches Microsoft’s recommendations and industry standards, helping ensure your investment in the Microsoft Power Platform delivers long-term value and can grow with your organization.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are modern controls in Power Apps?

Modern controls are a set of updated user interface elements in Power Apps that focus on improved design, accessibility, and responsiveness compared to classic controls.

How do I enable modern controls in my Power Apps environment?

Modern controls can be enabled in the Power Apps Studio under the “Insert” menu. If you don’t see them, check your app’s settings or ensure your environment is updated to the latest version.

Are modern text input controls accessible?

Yes, modern text input controls are designed to meet accessibility standards, supporting keyboard navigation, screen readers, and high-contrast modes.

Can I customize the appearance of modern text input controls?

Absolutely. You can adjust fonts, colors, border radius, background, and more to match your organization’s branding and design preferences.

Where can I find more information about modern text input in Power Apps?

You can visit the official Microsoft documentation on modern text input controls for detailed guidance and updates.

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