Video Blog: Power Apps Custom Connectors Tutorial: Integrating External APIs with .NET

Step-by-step on how to create custom connectors using .NET and seamlessly integrate them into Power Apps using DevTunnels. Whether you’re a developer looking to extend Power Apps’ capabilities or a Power Apps enthusiast eager to unlock new integration possibilities, this tutorial is for you!

Power Apps Custom Connectors

1. Introduction to Custom Connectors: We’ll kick things off with an overview of custom connectors and why they’re essential for extending Power Apps’ functionality. Understand the benefits of using custom connectors and how they enable seamless integration with external APIs.

2. Setting Up Your Development Environment: Get your development environment ready for building custom connectors with .NET. We’ll walk you through the installation of necessary tools, including Visual Studio and the Power Apps CLI, and demonstrate how to set up DevTunnels for local testing. Building a RESTful API with .NET: Dive into the process of building a RESTful API using .NET. Follow along as we design API endpoints, implement CRUD operations, and handle authentication using OAuth 2.0 or API keys.

3. Documenting Your API with OpenAPI: Learn how to document your API using the OpenAPI specification. We’ll show you how to generate an OpenAPI document for your API endpoints and ensure consistency and interoperability across your development team.

4. Creating a Custom Connector in Power Apps: Now it’s time to create a custom connector in Power Apps and import your OpenAPI document. We’ll guide you through the process of defining connection parameters, authentication settings, and actions to interact with your API endpoints.

5. Testing Your Custom Connector with DevTunnels: With your custom connector set up, it’s crucial to test it locally before deploying it to production. Learn how to use DevTunnels to test your custom connector’s functionality and troubleshoot any issues that arise.

6. Using Custom Connectors in Power Apps: Finally, learn how to leverage custom connectors in your Power Apps to integrate external APIs seamlessly. We’ll demonstrate how to bind UI controls to data returned by your custom connector’s actions, enabling you to build powerful, data-driven apps with ease.