'%3e%3cpath%20d='M8%200C12.4183%200%2016%203.58172%2016%208C16%2012.4183%2012.4183%2016%208%2016C3.58172%2016%200%2012.4183%200%208C0%203.58172%203.58172%200%208%200ZM11.6162%204.38379C11.2257%203.99337%2010.5927%203.99338%2010.2021%204.38379L8%206.58594L5.79785%204.38379C5.40732%203.99334%204.77429%203.99329%204.38379%204.38379C3.99331%204.77429%203.99335%205.40733%204.38379%205.79785L6.58594%208L4.38379%2010.2021C3.99348%2010.5927%203.99341%2011.2257%204.38379%2011.6162C4.77426%2012.0066%205.40734%2012.0065%205.79785%2011.6162L8%209.41406L10.2021%2011.6162C10.5927%2012.0066%2011.2257%2012.0067%2011.6162%2011.6162C12.0067%2011.2257%2012.0066%2010.5927%2011.6162%2010.2021L9.41406%208L11.6162%205.79785C12.0066%205.40735%2012.0066%204.77429%2011.6162%204.38379Z'%20fill='%23080E17'%20fill-opacity='0.46'/%3e%3c/g%3e%3cdefs%3e%3cclipPath%20id='clip0_3761_713'%3e%3crect%20width='16'%20height='16'%20fill='white'/%3e%3c/clipPath%3e%3c/defs%3e%3c/svg%3e)
Fix Power Apps Dropdown Values Not Displaying and Duplicate Records
Question details
The user needs to resolve an issue where dropdown selections in a Power Apps form do not display after submission, and duplicate records are being created in the backend data source.
- Product
- Power Apps
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Submitting form data or patching updates from a Power Apps canvas app to a backend data source like Excel, SharePoint, or Dataverse.
- Observed behavior
- Submitted dropdown values fail to display correctly in the app's view mode, and duplicate entries are unintentionally generated in the connected database.
Ensure you have edit permissions for the Power Apps canvas app and direct access to the underlying data source (e.g., SharePoint list or Excel file) to review the column structures.
Correct the SubmitForm or Patch Formula
Fixing the submission formula ensures that Power Apps updates existing records instead of creating duplicate entries upon every submission.
Duplicate records often occur when the app fails to identify an existing record during submission. If you are using the Patch function, explicitly declaring the record to update is required to prevent duplicates.
Open your canvas app in Edit mode, select the button used to submit the data, and view its 'OnSelect' property in the formula bar.
If using Patch, ensure you are not strictly using 'Defaults(YourDataSource)'. To update an existing record, your formula should look like: Patch(YourDataSource, LookUp(YourDataSource, ID = CurrentRecord.ID), {ColumnName: Dropdown1.Selected.Value}).
Wrap your submission formula in an 'If' statement to check for existing records. Example: If(IsBlank(LookUp(YourDataSource, Condition)), Patch(Defaults(...)), Patch(ExistingRecord...)).
Fix Dropdown Default Properties
Adjusting the Default and DefaultSelectedItems properties ensures the dropdown correctly displays the saved data from your data source.
Refresh and Re-sync the Data Source
Refreshing the connection forces Power Apps to pull the latest schema changes, resolving display errors caused by disconnected dropdown values.
Manage Your Excel Data Sources Easily with WPS Office
If you are using Excel as the backend data source for your Power Apps, keeping your spreadsheets properly formatted as tables is crucial. WPS Office offers a free, lightweight, and highly compatible alternative to Microsoft Office, ensuring your data sources remain error-free and perfectly structured.
- 1. Install WPS Office: Download and install WPS Office on your computer for free.
- 2. Open your backend Excel file: Launch WPS Spreadsheets and open the Excel file used as your Power Apps data source.
- 3. Format as Table: Select your data range, go to the Home tab, and click 'Format as Table'. This is required for Power Apps to read the data correctly.
- 4. Save and sync: Save your file. Your Power Apps canvas app will now be able to read and write to the spreadsheet without formatting errors.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is my Power Apps dropdown empty after a successful form submission?
This usually happens because the `DefaultSelectedItems` or `Default` property of the dropdown control is not properly linked to the submitted record. Ensure it is set to `Parent.Default` or `ThisItem.ColumnName` to display the saved value.
How do I stop the Patch function from creating duplicate records?
When using the `Patch` function, providing `Defaults(DataSource)` tells the app to create a new record. To update an existing record and prevent duplicates, you must use a `LookUp` function in the second argument to identify the specific record by its unique ID.
Can formatting issues in an Excel data source cause dropdowns to fail?
Yes. If the Excel file is modified outside of Power Apps, or if the columns are not strictly formatted as an Excel Table, Power Apps may fail to read the schema properly, causing dropdown values to disappear or fail to save.
Where can I get advanced troubleshooting help for Power Apps formulas?
For highly specific or complex formula issues, you can share screenshots (with private information removed) and your exact SubmitForm or Patch formulas in the official Power Apps community forums for specialized assistance.
