How to make an app

Low-code app development (LCAD) is the perfect solution for citizen developers. Using visual development tools, pre-built components, and drag-and-drop interfaces, you can build sophisticated apps in days instead of months. Need to add a workflow? Drag it in. Want to connect to your company's database? Use the built-in connector. These platforms handle complex coding in the background while you focus on solving business problems.

Microsoft Power Apps exemplifies this approach. With hundreds of prebuilt templates, AI-powered development assistance through Microsoft Copilot, and integration with familiar Microsoft tools such as Excel, SharePoint, and Teams, Power Apps removes traditional barriers to app creation. Its intuitive interface lets you design professional apps by describing what you need in plain language or choosing from a library of industry-specific solutions. Automate approvals, digitize paper forms, or build customer portals while Power Apps provides guardrails and governance IT.

Many organizations turn to app development software to save time, retain control, and build apps at scale. When choosing the software, make sure it supports the direction you’re going so it can effectively bring your idea to life.

Don't let "low code" fool you into thinking "low flexibility." Today's platforms let you customize nearly everything, including unique business logic and specialized integrations. Start with templates and standard components, then tailor them to match your exact requirements. And when you hit something that needs advanced customization, your IT team can jump in with custom code extensions without rebuilding from zero.

Your workforce is mobile, and your apps should be too. Modern app builders automatically optimize your creations for phones and tablets, handling responsive design, offline functionality, and device-specific features. You can build once and deploy everywhere, whether your sales team uses iOS, your field technicians carry Android devices, or your executives prefer tablets. There’s no need to learn Swift or Kotlin; the platform handles the technical complexity.

Large organizations need apps that can handle thousands of users, complex approval chains, and massive data volumes. Enterprise-focused platforms provide industrial-strength features: role-based security, audit trails, automated workflows, and integration with existing systems. Build apps that connect your CRM platform to your ERP, automate multistep approvals, or manage organization-wide initiatives—all while maintaining IT governance and compliance standards.

Spreadsheets hit their limits fast. When you're managing inventory across multiple locations, tracking project tasks for dozens of teams, or analyzing customer data from various sources, you need real database power. Database app platforms let you create relational data models, build complex queries through visual interfaces, and connect to everything from SQL databases to cloud storage. Transform your unwieldy Excel files into searchable, scalable apps that your entire team can access.

Tip: Start with the problem you're solving, not the platform type. Once you clearly define what your app needs to do, your decision might be obvious.

Whichever type of platform you choose, most will offer two main building approaches:

Canvas apps give you complete control over the user interface. You design exactly where buttons go, how screens flow, and what users see—perfect when you need a specific look and feel.

Model-driven apps, on the other hand, automatically generate interfaces based on your data structure. Define your data relationships, and the platform builds responsive forms and views for you.

Tip: Choose canvas when design matters most and model-driven when data complexity is your biggest challenge.

If you decide to use low-code or no-code app development software to build your app, following are some key features to look for:

Ideally, you’d build your app once and deploy it to multiple platforms. For example, you may launch your mobile app on iOS and Android platforms and make it compatible for a range of devices from tablets and phones to laptops. Look for app development software that works well with all the platforms your users prefer, including mobile and web.

The biggest draw of low-code app development is that anyone can do it. When you’re evaluating software, give it a test run with a free trial to make sure the interface is easy for you to use. The best app creators have drag-and-drop functionality and intuitive tools that make building an app simple.

One of the biggest complaints about app development software is the limited options for customization. However, not all platforms have the same limitations, so do thorough research and ask about customization options. It’s important to have flexibility so you can build apps that fit your unique business needs. Speaking of, if you know those needs before you shop for software, that’s even better.

Most app development platforms offer built-in security, but you’ll want to make sure it covers your business and app requirements, especially for mobile app and device management. Security features you may want to look for include advanced identity management, user rights management, and secure encryption.

Though one of the main reasons for using low-code app development tools is to keep things simple for non-technical app creators, there are times when you need IT to step in. It’s wise to choose app development software that allows professional developers to extend app capabilities, such as creating custom connectors to proprietary or legacy systems.

Tip: Look for platforms that balance citizen developer empowerment with enterprise-grade capabilities such as AI-powered features, extensive connector libraries, and the ability to scale from departmental tools to organization-wide applications.

Before you open up an app builder, invest time in defining exactly what you're building and why. This upfront planning saves hours of revision later and helps make sure that your app truly solves the problem at hand.

Start with a specific problem statement. Instead of "improve our process," define exactly what needs fixing, such as "reduce invoice approval time from five days to one day" or "eliminate paper forms for field inspections." Write down the primary goal and how you'll measure success. When you know precisely what your app needs to achieve, every design decision becomes clearer.

Knowing who will use your app shapes everything from interface design to feature priorities. Document who your primary users are, what devices they use, and what conditions they work in. For instance, a warehouse manager might need high-level efficiency information and to fill out detailed forms, but a delivery driver could need real-time scheduling information and an interface with large buttons that work with gloves.

Before building from scratch, research what's already available. Check your company's existing apps, browse template galleries, and look at similar solutions in your industry. You might find a template that gets you 80% of the way there or discover features you hadn't considered. Document what works in existing solutions and what frustrates users. This research helps you build something better, not just different.

List every feature you'd like, then ruthlessly prioritize. Your first version should solve your primary problem. For example, for an invoice approval app, you might start with routing, notifications, and basic reporting and add advanced analytics and automated escalations later. Each additional feature adds complexity, so for now, focus on the ones that deliver immediate value.

Think through the technical realities of your app. What systems does it need to connect with? Will users need offline access? What security requirements must you meet? If your app handles customer data, you'll need to follow data protection regulations. If it connects to your ERP system, you'll need the right permissions and connectors. Document these requirements early to avoid roadblocks during development.

Now’s the time to reference the research you did on types of platforms and development approaches. Pick a low-code development solution that will help you bring your idea to life quickly and easily.

Tip: Create a one-page app specification document that includes your problem statement, success metrics, user list, and must-have features. Reference it throughout development to stay focused.

With your plan in place, it's time to start building. Modern low-code platforms guide you through each phase of development, from initial setup to final deployment. The process is iterative—you'll build a little, test a little, and refine as you go.

Most app builders offer two starting points. Templates provide pre-built structures for common scenarios such as expense reporting, inventory tracking, or employee onboarding, complete with standard screens, basic workflows, and sample data connections. Starting here can significantly cut your development time. Alternatively, if your needs are unique, a blank canvas lets you build exactly what you envision. Whichever approach you take, remember that everything can be customized later.

Your app needs information to work with. Modern platforms make this straightforward through built-in connectors for things like Microsoft 365, SQL databases, or cloud services. Once connected, your app can read, write, and update data in real time.

Tip: Start with one primary data source and verify that it works correctly. Additional connections can come later.

Begin with your app's main screen, which is usually a dashboard or list view. Drag components such as buttons, text fields, galleries, and charts onto your canvas, then bind these components to your data sources. For example, you can add a gallery and connect it to your customer database so it automatically displays customer records. Add a form linked to the same data source, and users can immediately edit those records. Keep things simple at first before you focus on making enhancements.

Once your main screen functions properly, you can build out the rest, such as a details screen that opens when users select a record, or editable forms that let them update information. Connect everything with navigation buttons and menus, then rigorously test each path. Users should flow through your app without thinking twice about what to choose next.

After adding each feature, test it yourself first. Select every button, enter data in every field, and actively try to break things. Then invite colleagues to do the same and watch them use your app without providing instructions. Where do they hesitate? What confuses them? Their struggles reveal what needs refinement, like a screen layout that’s too complicated and confusing or a workflow with too many steps. This is a continuous process, with each round of testing and adjustment making your app more intuitive and therefore more likely to be used.

Before launching, complete your pre-deployment checklist:

• Test on different devices and screen sizes.
• Verify all data connections work with production databases, not just test data.
• Configure security roles and user permissions.
• Create basic documentation to help users get started.
• Prepare to handle errors so your app responds gracefully when something goes wrong.
• Run through critical workflows one final time (fixing small issues can prevent major headaches later).

Once your app is tested and ready, it’s time to deploy. First, decide whether you’ll deploy it as a web app, mobile app, or both and set permissions to control access. Then you’re ready to share it with the world. Most platforms generate a URL you can share via email or embed in your company portal. Mobile users might install through an enterprise app store or simply access your app through their browser. After publishing, monitor those first few days closely and listen to early user feedback—it often reveals quick adjustments that make a big difference.

Tip: Launch with a small pilot group first. It’s easier to iron out issues with 10 users than 100.

With the right low-code platform and a clear understanding of the problem you're solving, you can build professional applications that transform how work gets done. These days, the journey from idea to working app is shorter than ever with tools that put real development power in your hands.

Take that first step with Microsoft Power Apps. This potent tool combines AI-driven development assistance, an extensive template library, and deep integration with the Microsoft ecosystem to help make app creation accessible to everyone. Whether you're digitizing a manual process, building a customer-facing solution, or creating tools for your team, Power Apps provides the foundation for turning your ideas into reality. Plus, the platform grows with your skills. Start with simple apps using templates and AI assistance, then expand into more complex scenarios as your confidence builds.