When you're building an app in Power Apps, you often need to show different sections of content. There are two popular ways to do this:
- Tab Controls: switch between sections on the same screen
- Navigation Screens: move between different screens
Let’s break down what each one is, when to use them, and how to implement them with easy-to-understand examples.
What is a Tab Control?
A Tab Control is like the tabs you see in a web browser or settings page. You stay on the same screen, but the content changes based on which tab you click.
Why Use It?
- Keeps everything on one screen
- Makes the app feel faster
- Great for forms, dashboards, or grouped settings
How to Build It?
You can create tabs using buttons and a variable to control which content is visible.
Example
Let’s say you have 3 tabs: Overview, Details, and Settings.
1. Add 3 buttons at the top of your screen.
2. Set their OnSelect properties like this:
// Overview Button
UpdateContext({selectedTab: "Overview"})
// Details Button
UpdateContext({selectedTab: "Details"})
// Settings Button
UpdateContext({selectedTab: "Settings"})
3. Now, for each content section (like a container or group), set the Visible property:
// Overview Section
selectedTab = "Overview"
// Details Section
selectedTab = "Details"
// Settings Section
selectedTab = "Settings"
What is a Navigation Screen?
Navigation Screens involve moving between separate screens using the Navigate() function. Each screen can have its own layout, logic, and data.
Why Use It?
- Better for large or complex apps
- Each screen can have its own logic and data
- Easier to manage when things get big
How to Build It?
Let’s say you have 3 screens: HomeScreen, ReportScreen, and SettingsScreen.
Example
Add buttons and set their OnSelect properties like this:
// Go to Reports
Navigate(ReportScreen, ScreenTransition.Fade)
// Go to Settings
Navigate(SettingsScreen, ScreenTransition.Cover)
Each screen can have its own layout, controls, and data sources.
Tab Control vs. Navigation Screens
| Feature |
Tab Control |
Navigation Screens |
| Where it happens |
Same screen |
Different screens |
| Speed |
Faster (no screen load) |
Slightly slower |
| Best for |
Forms, dashboards |
Large apps, modules |
| Complexity |
Simple apps |
Complex apps |
| Data sharing |
Easy (same screen) |
Needs passing variables |
| Maintenance |
Harder if too many tabs |
Easier to organize |
When Should You Use Each?
Use Tab Control when
- You want a clean, fast UI
- The content is related (like steps in a form)
- You want to avoid too many screens
Use Navigation Screens when
- Each section is big or has different logic
- You want to keep things modular
- You’re building a multi-feature app
Conclusion
Both Tab Controls and Navigation Screens are essential tools in Power Apps. Choosing the right one depends on your app’s structure, complexity, and user experience goals. Often, the best apps use a hybrid approach, combining both for maximum flexibility.