Power Pages is a Microsoft Power Platform product that allows you to build secure, responsive websites without needing deep coding skills. These websites can connect to Dataverse (Microsoft’s relational database) and allow both authenticated and anonymous users to interact with your data.
Pre-requisites to Get Started
Before you begin, make sure you have:
- A valid Microsoft 365 or Power Platform license
- Access to Power Pages via https://make.powerpages.microsoft.com
- A Power Platform environment (preferably with Dataverse enabled)
- Appropriate permissions to create sites (System Administrator or Power Pages Admin role)
Step-by-Step: Creating Your First Power Pages Site
Step 1: Access the Power Pages Studio
- Open your browser and go to:
➤ https://make.powerpages.microsoft.com - Sign in with your Microsoft credentials.
- You’ll land on the Power Pages Home screen where you can view existing sites or create a new one.
Step 2: Click “Create a Site”
- Press the “Create a site” button in the top-right corner.
- This action opens the site creation wizard.
Step 3: Choose a Template
You will now be prompted to select a template. Templates are categorized into:
- Basic (Blank or Starter)
- Business Scenarios (e.g., Application Processing, Scheduling, Customer Self-Service)
If you’re new, select the Starter Template:
- Gives you login, homepage, contact page, and other default pages.
- Great for exploring and learning.
Tip: If you know your use case, choose a business-specific template to accelerate development.
Step 4: Enter Site Details
You’ll need to fill out a few fields:
- Name your site (e.g., “MyFirstPortal”)
- Web address: This is a *.powerappsportals.com domain; you can customize it later.
- Choose environment: Select a Power Platform environment (usually “Default” for new users).
Click Done to begin provisioning.
Step 5: Site Provisioning
This step may take 2–5 minutes.
Power Pages is now:
- Creating Dataverse tables (if part of the template)
- Setting up default pages, web roles, and permissions
- Deploying the core portal infrastructure
Once completed, you will be redirected to the Design Studio.
Step 6: Explore the Design Studio
The Design Studio is your no-code/low-code interface for customizing the site.
Key Areas in Design Studio:
- Pages: View or edit pages, add new pages, adjust navigation.
- Styling: Modify branding, fonts, themes, and layouts.
- Data: Connect to Dataverse tables, create forms, and lists.
- Setup: Manage security, authentication, and site settings.
- Preview: See how the site looks on web, tablet, and mobile.
Explore and understand each section before making major changes.
Step 7: Add or Edit a Page
- Go to the Pages section.
- Click “+ Add Page”.
- Choose a layout and name the page (e.g., “About Us”).
- Add Text, Images, Videos, Lists, or Forms by clicking the + button in the canvas.
- Hit Save to apply changes.
This WYSIWYG (What You See Is What You Get) editor makes page creation intuitive.
Step 8: Add Dataverse Data to a Page
Power Pages integrates tightly with Dataverse.
- Navigate to Data → Add data.
- Select a Dataverse table or create a new one.
- Generate a form or list view for that table.
- Insert the form/list onto your page using the Components menu.
You can also configure permissions so that users only see or edit what they’re allowed to.
Step 9: Set Up Security and Permissions
Security is a critical part of Power Pages.
- Go to Setup → Permissions.
- Define Web Roles (Authenticated Users, Anonymous Users, Admin, etc.)
- Assign appropriate permissions to each Dataverse table.
- Configure Authentication Providers if needed (Azure AD B2C, Microsoft Accounts, LinkedIn, etc.)
This ensures the right people see the right data.
Step 10: Preview and Test Your Site
Use the Preview button at the top to view your site in different device formats:
- Desktop
- Tablet
- Mobile
Test interactions like:
- Register/Login
- Form submission
- Navigation
- Data updates
Make adjustments before going live.
Step 11: Go Live with Your Site
Once you’re satisfied:
- Go to Settings → Site Details.
- Enable custom domains (optional).
- Turn on HTTPS for secure access.
- Share the site URL with users or embed it in your business apps.
Your site is now live and functional!
Post-Creation Best Practices
- Monitor performance and errors using Power Platform Admin Center.
- Use Solutions to export and deploy to other environments (Dev/Test/Prod).
- Set up Power Automate flows for workflows (approvals, alerts, notifications).
- Backup your site data and configurations regularly.
- Continually improve UI/UX based on user feedback.