Replacing a TextInput with a ComboBox in a Power Apps Form

Introduction

In this article, I will show how you can replace a normal TextInput with a ComboBox inside a Power Apps form. Sometimes we need to switch to a ComboBox so users can select values rather than typing them manually. I'll explain the steps in plain language so you can update your form quickly without breaking existing logic.

Use Case

As you know, if a SharePoint column is a Single Line of Text, Power Apps automatically adds a TextInput in the form. But sometimes we need a ComboBox, especially when we want users to select from a fixed set of options rather than typing anything.

Prerequisites

A SharePoint list is already connected to your Power Apps form.

Below are the steps:

Step 1

I have two SharePoint lists. The first one is ProjectList, where I store all the master project names. The second one is ProjectTracker, and it has a column called ProjectName, which is a Single Line of Text. In my Power Apps form, Power Apps adds a TextInput for this field by default, but I want to change it to a ComboBox. This ComboBox displays all master project names from the ProjectList, allowing users to select a project instead of typing it manually.

Step 2

Add the field that you want to change from TextInput to ComboBox into your form.
In my case, I added the ProjectName field, and then inserted a ComboBox inside the same DataCard.

Step 3

Hide the default TextInput control (in my case, it was DataCardValue3).
Then copy the exact X and Y position values from the TextInput and paste them into your newly added ComboBox.
This will place the ComboBox in the same position where the TextInput was.

Step 4

In Combobox Items properties add below logic.

Sort(
    RenameColumns(
        ProjectList,
        Title,
        ProjectName
    ),
    ProjectName
)

Formula Explanation

This formula loads all the project names from my master list. Since In SharePoint I uses the Title column by default to store all project list, I renamed it to ProjectName so it matches the field in my form. Then I used Sort() to show the project names in alphabetical order.

In the ComboBox DefaultSelectedItems property, add below formula so that the correct project is selected when the form is in edit mode:

LookUp(
    RenameColumns(
        ProjectList,
        Title,
        ProjectName
    ),
    ProjectName = Parent.Default
)

Formula Explanation

My project names are stored in the Title column, so I renamed it to ProjectName. Then I used Lookup() to find the project that matches the current value in the form.

Step 5

Select the ComboBox inside your DataCard.
On the right-hand side properties panel, go to Fields and select the field we renamed earlier.
In my case, it was ProjectName. This makes sure the ComboBox saves and shows the right value in the form.

Step 6

Set the Default property of the old TextInput (DataCardValue3) that we hide earlier to use the value from the new ComboBox (in my case, ComboBox2).

ComboBox2.Selected.ProjectName

Tip:

Do we add choice values manually in Combbox instead of creating two lists?
Yes, we can do that also, but I created two lists because you can use the master lists in any other places as well.

Conclusion

By following these steps, you can replace a TextInput with a ComboBox in your form.