Setting Up the Fly-Out Filter Panel

Adding the Fly-Out Toggle

The first step is to create an icon that toggles your filter panel. Place the icon in a handy location, like the top-right corner of your app. When a user clicks the icon, the filter panel slides into view, and the icon itself changes to visually signal the action.

Here’s the basic approach:

• Set a variable: On-click, we toggle a variable that determines whether the fly-out panel is visible or hidden. This variable also controls which icon is displayed, adding a visual cue for the user. For example, show an open filter icon when the panel is hidden and a filled icon when it’s visible.
• Visual feedback: Users appreciate small touches, like icons changing to reflect an action. These clues make the app feel intuitive.

Structuring the Panel with Containers

The fly-out panel is built with nested containers for a clean and organized structure. Use a horizontal container for the header, which houses the title and a “Clear All” button. Beneath it, a vertical container holds the individual filters.

Let’s break it down:

• Horizontal container: This includes the filter title and the button to clear all filters at once.
• Vertical container: Each filter lives within its own vertical container, making it easier to manage and replicate for additional filter options.
• Clear buttons: Add individual clear buttons next to each filter section, giving users precise control.

Building the Filters

Dynamic Dropdowns and Static Combo Boxes

Filters should be flexible enough to work with any data source. For this example, we’re using both dynamic combo boxes and manually-created dropdowns.

• Dynamic combo boxes: These auto-populate based on your data source, ensuring accuracy and saving time. In this project, the combo box pulls categories from a SharePoint list.
• Static dropdowns: For custom filtering needs, manually create dropdown options that suit your use case. For instance, sorting recipes from “Newest to Oldest” or “A to Z.”

Adding Functionality

Let’s make those dropdowns work hard for you. When a selection is made, use the “OnChange” function to set a variable that determines how filtering is applied. This eliminates repetitive coding and makes updates easier.

For example:

• If a user selects “Oldest to Newest,” the app sorts the gallery content accordingly.
• When “Clear All” is clicked, all variables reset, and your gallery returns to its original state.

Incorporating Search and Reset Options

No filter panel is complete without a search box and reset buttons. A search bar gives users the ability to type in keywords, while reset buttons (for individual filters and the entire panel) return everything to its default state.

Here’s how this works in practice:

• Each reset button clears the value of its corresponding dropdown and text field.
• The “Clear All” button resets every filter at once, simplifying the process for users.

Making It All Work Together

Visible and Hidden States

The magic of the fly-out panel lies in its seamless transitions. Using the same variable that toggles the filter icon, you can control the visibility of the panel. When the variable is true, the panel slides into view. When false, it hides.

Sorting the Gallery

Your gallery’s content should respond to the filters dynamically. This is accomplished with a switch statement that updates the gallery’s data source based on the selected filters. For instance:

• If a user selects a category and enters a search term, the gallery only displays items that match both criteria.
• If no filters are applied, the gallery shows all items by default.

Seeing It in Action

Let’s walk through a typical use case:

1. A user clicks the filter icon. The fly-out panel appears, and the icon changes to indicate the panel is active.
2. They select a category (e.g., “Main Dishes”) and type “Berry” into the search bar. The gallery instantly filters to display berry-themed main courses.
3. To clear the results, they click “Clear All,” resetting the filters and showing all recipes again.

This design ensures smooth interaction and gives users total control over their view.

Conclusion

Adding a fly-out filter panel isn’t just about functionality—it’s about creating an enjoyable experience for your app’s users. By incorporating dynamic dropdowns, search functionality, and effective visual cues, you can transform a basic app into something professional and user-friendly.

Now it’s your turn! Start small, build your first filter, and watch how it elevates your app. If you found this guide helpful, share it with a fellow PowerApps enthusiast. Got questions or ideas? Drop them in the comments below!

Until next time, keep exploring new ways to make your apps shine. Happy building!