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How to Fix Power Apps Dropdown Not Saving to SharePoint Lookup Field

Maira Mehtab Sep 22, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user needs to successfully save a filtered dropdown selection from a Power Apps form into a SharePoint lookup column.

Product: Microsoft Power Apps and SharePoint
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Submitting a Power Apps form where a value (such as Industry) is selected from a filtered dropdown menu.
Observed behavior: The dropdown filters Solution values correctly, but the selected Industry fails to save to the Proposal Master SharePoint lookup column upon submission.

Before you start

Before modifying your form logic, verify that you have edit permissions for both the Power Apps canvas app and the underlying SharePoint list, and ensure you have published a backup version of your app.

Solution 1Recommended

Verify and Update the Lookup Data Card Property

Ensure the form submits a complete record object to SharePoint rather than just the display text.

SharePoint lookup columns require a complex record object containing both an ID and a Value. If your Power Apps form is only sending a text string from the dropdown, SharePoint will reject the update.

Select the Data Card

In your Power Apps editor, select the Data Card in your form that is associated with the SharePoint lookup column.

Unlock the Data Card

Navigate to the 'Advanced' tab in the right-hand properties pane and click 'Unlock to change properties'.

Modify the Update Property

Locate the 'Update' property of the Data Card. Change the formula to pass a correctly formatted record object. For example: { '@odata.type': "#Microsoft.Azure.Connectors.SharePoint.SPListExpandedReference", Id: Dropdown1.Selected.Id, Value: Dropdown1.Selected.Value }

Save and Test

Save your app and run it in Preview mode to test submitting a new record to the SharePoint list.

Dropdown Naming: Make sure to replace 'Dropdown1' in the formula with the actual name of your dropdown or combobox control.

Solution 2

Check DefaultSelectedItems and Items Properties

Validate that the dropdown is correctly referencing the underlying SharePoint list records.

Solution 3

Consult the Microsoft Power Platform Community

Get specific configuration assistance from Power Apps integration experts.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why does a Power Apps text input save to SharePoint but a dropdown lookup fails?

A standard text column in SharePoint accepts simple string values, whereas a lookup column expects a complex record object containing both an ID and a Value. If Power Apps only sends the display text, SharePoint will reject the form update.

What is the correct OData format for updating a SharePoint lookup column?

You must construct a record referencing the OData type, formatted exactly as: { '@odata.type': "#Microsoft.Azure.Connectors.SharePoint.SPListExpandedReference", Id: Dropdown.Selected.Id, Value: Dropdown.Selected.Value }.

Can I use the Patch function instead of SubmitForm for lookup columns?

Yes. When using the Patch function, you must include the same complex record structure for the lookup column field in your Patch formula, referencing the selected item's ID from your Dropdown or ComboBox.

How do I unlock a Data Card in a Power Apps form?

Select the Data Card in the tree view, go to the Properties pane on the right side of the screen, click on the 'Advanced' tab, and click the padlock icon labeled 'Unlock to change properties'.

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