Merge pull request MicrosoftDocs#3141 from MicrosoftDocs/gregli-as

Canvas app - Adding ThisRecord, As, and Sequence - 1939110

Author: Nkrb

powerapps-docs/includes/record-scope.md

@@ -1,2 +1 @@
-Fields of the record currently being processed are available within the formula.  You simply reference them by name as you would any other value.  You can also reference control properties and other values from throughout your app.  For more details, see the examples below and [working with record scope](../maker/canvas-apps/working-with-tables.md#record-scope). 
-
+Fields of the record currently being processed are available within the formula.  Use the [**ThisRecord** operator](../maker/canvas-apps/functions/operators.md#thisitem-thisrecord-and-as-operators) or simply reference fields by name as you would any other value. The [**As** operator](../maker/canvas-apps/functions/operators.md#thisitem-thisrecord-and-as-operators) can also be used to name the record being processed which can help make your formula easier to understand and make nested records accessible. For more information, see the examples below and [working with record scope](../maker/canvas-apps/working-with-tables.md#record-scope).

powerapps-docs/maker/TOC.yml

@@ -485,6 +485,8 @@
             href: ./canvas-apps/functions/function-logicals.md
           - name: App
             href: ./canvas-apps/functions/object-app.md
+          - name: As
+            href: ./canvas-apps/functions/operators.md#thisitem-thisrecord-and-as-operators            
           - name: Asin
             href: ./canvas-apps/functions/function-trig.md
           - name: Assert
@@ -577,12 +579,14 @@
             href: ./canvas-apps/functions/function-form.md
           - name: Enable
             href: ./canvas-apps/functions/function-enable-disable.md
+          - name: EncodeUrl
+            href: ./canvas-apps/functions/function-encode-decode.md            
           - name: EndsWith
             href: ./canvas-apps/functions/function-startswith.md
           - name: Errors
             href: ./canvas-apps/functions/function-errors.md
-          - name: EncodeUrl
-            href: ./canvas-apps/functions/function-encode-decode.md
+          - name: exactin
+            href: ./canvas-apps/functions/operators.md#in-and-exactin-operators            
           - name: Exit
             href: ./canvas-apps/functions/function-exit.md
           - name: Exp
@@ -611,6 +615,8 @@
             href: ./canvas-apps/functions/function-if.md
           - name: IfError
             href: ./canvas-apps/functions/function-iferror.md
+          - name: in
+            href: ./canvas-apps/functions/operators.md#in-and-exactin-operators
           - name: IsBlank
             href: ./canvas-apps/functions/function-isblank-isempty.md
           - name: IsEmpty
@@ -681,6 +687,8 @@
             href: ./canvas-apps/functions/function-logicals.md
           - name: Param
             href: ./canvas-apps/functions/function-param.md
+          - name: Parent
+            href: ./canvas-apps/functions/operators.md#self-and-parent-operators              
           - name: Patch
             href: ./canvas-apps/functions/function-patch.md
           - name: Pi
@@ -731,12 +739,16 @@
             href: ./canvas-apps/functions/function-datetime-parts.md
           - name: Select
             href: ./canvas-apps/functions/function-select.md
+          - name: Self
+            href: ./canvas-apps/functions/operators.md#self-and-parent-operators         
           - name: Set
             href: ./canvas-apps/functions/function-set.md
           - name: SetFocus
             href: ./canvas-apps/functions/function-setfocus.md
           - name: SetProperty
             href: ./canvas-apps/functions/function-setproperty.md
+          - name: Sequence
+            href: ./canvas-apps/functions/function-sequence.md            
           - name: ShowColumns
             href: ./canvas-apps/functions/function-table-shaping.md
           - name: Shuffle
@@ -769,6 +781,10 @@
             href: ./canvas-apps/functions/function-trig.md
           - name: Text
             href: ./canvas-apps/functions/function-text.md
+          - name: ThisItem
+            href: ./canvas-apps/functions/operators.md#thisitem-thisrecord-and-as-operators
+          - name: ThisRecord
+            href: ./canvas-apps/functions/operators.md#thisitem-thisrecord-and-as-operators         
           - name: Time
             href: ./canvas-apps/functions/function-date-time.md
           - name: TimeValue

powerapps-docs/maker/canvas-apps/formula-reference.md

@@ -7,7 +7,7 @@ ms.service: powerapps
 ms.topic: reference
 ms.custom: canvas
 ms.reviewer: tapanm
-ms.date: 05/20/2020
+ms.date: 07/17/2020
 ms.author: gregli
 search.audienceType: 
   - maker
@@ -20,7 +20,7 @@ Formulas combine many elements.  Listed below are:
 * **Functions** take parameters, perform an operation, and return a value. For example, **Sqrt(25)** returns **5**. Functions are modeled after Microsoft Excel functions.  Some functions have side effects, such as **SubmitForm**, which are appropriate only in a [behavior formula](working-with-formulas-in-depth.md) such as **Button.OnSelect**.
 * **Signals** return information about the environment. For example, **[Location](functions/signals.md)** returns the device's current GPS coordinates. Signals don't take parameters or have side effects.
 * **Enumerations** return a pre-defined constant value. For example, **[Color](functions/function-colors.md)** is an enumeration that has pre-defined values for **Color.Red**, **Color.Blue**, and so forth.  Common enumerations are included here; function-specific enumerations are described with the function.
-* **Named operators**, such as **[ThisItem](functions/operators.md#thisitem-operator)** and **[Self](functions/operators.md#self-and-parent-operators)**, provide access to information from within a container.
+* **Named operators**, such as **[ThisItem](functions/operators.md#thisitem-thisrecord-and-as-operators)** and **[Self](functions/operators.md#self-and-parent-operators)**, provide access to information from within a container.
 
 Other elements include:
 
@@ -47,6 +47,8 @@ Other elements include:
 
 **[Assert](functions/function-assert.md)** – Evaluates to true or false in a test.
 
+**[As](functions/operators.md#thisitem-thisrecord-and-as-operators)** – Names the current record in gallery, form, and record scope functions such as **ForAll**, **With**, and **Sum**.
+
 **[AsType](functions/function-astype-istype.md)** – Treats a record reference as a specific entity type.
 
 **[Atan](functions/function-trig.md)** – Returns the arctangent of a number, in radians.
@@ -137,11 +139,13 @@ Other elements include:
 
 **[Enable](functions/function-enable-disable.md)** – Enables a signal, such as **[Location](functions/signals.md)** for reading the GPS.
 
+**[EncodeUrl](functions/function-encode-decode.md)** – Encodes special characters using URL encoding.
+
 **[EndsWith](functions/function-startswith.md)** – Checks whether a text string ends with another text string.
 
 **[Errors](functions/function-errors.md)** – Provides error information for previous changes to a data source.
 
-**[EncodeUrl](functions/function-encode-decode.md)** – Encodes special characters using URL encoding.
+**[exactin](functions/operators.md#in-and-exactin-operators)** – Checks if a text string is contained within another text string or table, case dependent.  Also used to check if a record is in a table.  
 
 **[Exit](functions/function-exit.md)** – Exits the currently running app and optionally signs out the current user.
 
@@ -173,6 +177,8 @@ Other elements include:
 
 **[IfError](functions/function-iferror.md)** - Detects errors and provides an alternative value or takes action. 
 
+**[in](functions/operators.md#in-and-exactin-operators)** – Checks if a text string is contained within another text string or table, case independent.  Also used to check if a record is in a table.
+
 **[IsBlank](functions/function-isblank-isempty.md)** – Checks for a [blank](functions/function-isblank-isempty.md) value.
 
 **[IsEmpty](functions/function-isblank-isempty.md)** – Checks for an empty table.
@@ -303,6 +309,8 @@ Other elements include:
 
 **[Self](functions/operators.md#self-and-parent-operators)** – Provides access to the properties of the current control.
 
+**[Sequence](functions/function-sequence.md)** – Generate a table of sequential numbers, useful when iterating with **ForAll**.
+
 **[Set](functions/function-set.md)** – Sets the value of a global variable.
 
 **[SetFocus](functions/function-setfocus.md)** – Moves input focus to a specific control.
@@ -342,7 +350,9 @@ Other elements include:
 
 **[Text](functions/function-text.md)** – Converts any value and formats a number or date/time value to a string of text.
 
-**[ThisItem](functions/operators.md#thisitem-operator)** – When in a gallery or form, returns the data for the current item from the container.
+**[ThisItem](functions/operators.md#thisitem-thisrecord-and-as-operators)** – Returns the record for the current item in a gallery or form control.
+
+**[ThisRecord](functions/operators.md#thisitem-thisrecord-and-as-operators)** – Returns the record for the current item in a record scope function, such as **ForAll**, **With**, and **Sum**.
 
 **[Time](functions/function-date-time.md)** – Returns a date/time value, based on **Hour**, **Minute**, and **Second** values.  
 

powerapps-docs/maker/canvas-apps/functions/function-astype-istype.md

@@ -7,7 +7,7 @@ ms.service: powerapps
 ms.topic: reference
 ms.custom: canvas
 ms.reviewer: tapanm
-ms.date: 05/17/2019
+ms.date: 07/19/2020
 ms.author: gregli
 search.audienceType: 
   - maker
@@ -33,13 +33,11 @@ Common Data Service also supports polymorphic lookup fields, which can refer to
 | **Customer** | **Accounts** or **Contacts** |
 | **Regarding** | **Accounts**, **Contacts**, **Knowledge Articles**, etc. |
 
-<!--note from editor: Change "Knowledge Articles" to "Knowledge Base articles" if that is what is being referenced.   -->
-
-In canvas-app formulas, you can use record references to work with polymorphic lookups. Because a record reference can refer to different entities, you don't know which fields will be available when you write a formula. The *.Field* notation isn't available. Those formulas must adapt to the records that the app encounters when it runs.
+In canvas-app formulas, use record references to work with polymorphic lookups. Because a record reference can refer to different entities, you don't know which fields will be available when you write a formula. The *Record.Field* notation isn't available. Those formulas must adapt to the records that the app encounters when it runs.
 
 The **IsType** function tests whether a record reference refers to a specific entity type. The function returns a Boolean TRUE or FALSE.
 
-The **AsType** function treats a record reference as a specific entity type, sometimes referred to as *casting*. You can use the result as if it were a record of the entity and, again, use the *.Field* notation to access all of the fields of that record. An error occurs if the reference isn't of the specific type.
+The **AsType** function treats a record reference as a specific entity type, sometimes referred to as *casting*. You can use the result as if it were a record of the entity and again use the *Record.Field* notation to access all of the fields of that record. An error occurs if the reference isn't of the specific type.
 
 Use these functions together to first test the entity type of a record and then treat it as a record of that type so that the fields are available:
 
@@ -65,9 +63,9 @@ Patch( Accounts, First( Accounts ), { Owner: First( Teams ) } )
 If used in a record context, such as within a [**Gallery**](../controls/control-gallery.md) or [**Edit form**](../controls/control-form-detail.md) control, you might need to use the [global disambiguation operator](operators.md#disambiguation-operator) to reference the entity type. For example, this formula would be effective for a gallery that's displaying a list of contacts where **Company Name** is a **Customer** lookup:
 
 ```powerapps-dot
-If( IsType( ThisItem.'Company Name', [@Accounts] ),
-    AsType( ThisItem.'Company Name', [@Accounts] ).'Account Name',
-    AsType( ThisItem.'Company Name', [@Contacts] ).'Full Name'
+If( IsType( ThisItem.'Company Name', Accounts ),
+    AsType( ThisItem.'Company Name', Accounts ).'Account Name',
+    AsType( ThisItem.'Company Name', Contacts ).'Full Name'
 )
 ```
 
@@ -129,9 +127,9 @@ If the record reference is *blank*, **IsType** returns FALSE, and **AsType** ret
 
     ```powerapps-dot
     If( IsBlank( ThisItem.'Company Name' ), "--",
-        IsType( ThisItem.'Company Name', [@Accounts] ),
-            "Account: " & AsType( ThisItem.'Company Name', [@Accounts] ).'Account Name',
-        "Contact: " & AsType( ThisItem.'Company Name', [@Contacts] ).'Full Name'
+        IsType( ThisItem.'Company Name', Accounts ),
+            "Account: " & AsType( ThisItem.'Company Name', Accounts ).'Account Name',
+        "Contact: " & AsType( ThisItem.'Company Name', Contacts ).'Full Name'
     )
     ```
 

powerapps-docs/maker/canvas-apps/functions/function-char.md

@@ -1,82 +1,100 @@
----
-title: Char function | Microsoft Docs
-description: Reference information for the Char function in Power Apps, including syntax and examples
-author: gregli-msft
-manager: kvivek
-ms.service: powerapps
-ms.topic: reference
-ms.custom: canvas
-ms.reviewer: tapanm
-ms.date: 03/01/2019
-ms.author: gregli
-search.audienceType: 
-  - maker
-search.app: 
-  - PowerApps
----
-# Char function in Power Apps
-
-Translates a character code into a string.
-
-## Description
-
-The **Char** function translates a number into a string with the corresponding ASCII character.
-
-## Syntax
-
-**Char**( *CharacterCode* )
-
-- *CharacterCode* - Required. ASCII character code to translate.
-
-## Examples
-
-| Formula | Description | Result |
-| --- | --- | --- |
-| **Char( 65 )** |Returns the character that corresponds to ASCII code 65. |"A" |
-| **Char( 105 )** |Returns the character that corresponds to ASCII code 105. |"i" |
-| **Char( 35 )** |Returns the character that corresponds to ASCII code 35. |"#" |
-
-### Display a character map
-
-1. On an empty screen in a tablet app, add a [**Gallery**](../controls/control-gallery.md) control with a **Blank Horizontal** layout, and then set these properties:
-
-    - **Items**: `[0,1,2,3,4,5,6,7]`
-    - **Width**: 800
-    - **Height**: 500
-    - **TemplateSize**: 100
-    - **TemplatePadding**: 0
-
-1. Inside that gallery, add a **Gallery** control with a **Blank Vertical** layout, and then set these properties:
-
-    - **Items**: `ForAll( [0,1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12,13,14,15], Value + ThisItem.Value * 16 )`
-    - **Width**: 100
-    - **Height**: 500
-    - **TemplateSize**: 30
-    - **TemplatePadding**: 0
-
-    The value of the **Items** property multiplies 16 by the column number provided by the Value column of the **Items** property from the first gallery (0-7 in `ThisItem.Value`). The formula then adds the result to one of the row numbers from the second gallery (0-15 in the record scope that the [**ForAll**](function-forall.md) function provides).
-
-1. Inside the second (vertical) gallery, add a **Label** control, and set these properties:
-
-    - **Text**: `ThisItem.Value`
-    - **Width**: 50
-
-1. Inside the second (vertical) gallery, add another **Label** control, and set these properties:
-
-    - **Text**: `Char( ThisItem.Value )`
-    - **Width**: 50
-    - **X**: 50
-
-You've created a chart of the first 128 ASCII characters. Characters that appear as a small square can't be printed.
-
-![First 128 ASCII characters](media/function-char/chart-lower.png)
-
-To show the extended ASCII characters, set the **Items** property of the second gallery to this formula, which adds 128 to each character value:
-
-`ForAll( [0,1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12,13,14,15], Value + ThisItem.Value * 16 + 128)`
-
-![Extended ASCII characters](media/function-char/chart-higher.png)
-
-To show the characters in a different font, set the **Font** property of the second label to a value such as **'Dancing Script'**.
-
-![Dancing Script](media/function-char/chart-higher-dancing-script.png)
+---
+title: Char function | Microsoft Docs
+description: Reference information for the Char function in Power Apps, including syntax and examples
+author: gregli-msft
+manager: kvivek
+ms.service: powerapps
+ms.topic: reference
+ms.custom: canvas
+ms.reviewer: tapanm
+ms.date: 07/17/2020
+ms.author: gregli
+search.audienceType: 
+  - maker
+search.app: 
+  - PowerApps
+---
+# Char function in Power Apps
+
+Translates a character code into a string.
+
+## Description
+
+The **Char** function translates a number into a string with the corresponding ASCII character.
+
+## Syntax
+
+**Char**( *CharacterCode* )
+
+- *CharacterCode* - Required. ASCII character code to translate.
+
+## Examples
+
+| Formula | Description | Result |
+| --- | --- | --- |
+| **Char( 65 )** |Returns the character that corresponds to ASCII code 65. |"A" |
+| **Char( 105 )** |Returns the character that corresponds to ASCII code 105. |"i" |
+| **Char( 35 )** |Returns the character that corresponds to ASCII code 35. |"#" |
+
+### Display a character map
+
+1. On an empty screen in a tablet app, add a [**Gallery**](../controls/control-gallery.md) control with a **Blank Horizontal** layout, and then set these properties:
+
+    - **Items**: `Sequence( 8, 0, 16 ) As HighNibble`
+    - **Width**: `Parent.Width`
+    - **Height**: `Parent.Height`
+    - **TemplateSize**: `Parent.Width / 8`
+    - **TemplatePadding**: 0
+    - **X**: 0
+    - **Y**: 0
+
+1. Inside that gallery, add a **Gallery** control with a **Blank Vertical** layout, and then set these properties:
+
+    - **Items**: `Sequence( 16, HighNibble.Value ) As FullCode`
+    - **Width**: `Parent.Width / 8`
+    - **Height**: `Parent.Height`
+    - **TemplateSize**: `Parent.Height / 16`
+    - **TemplatePadding**: 0
+    - **X**: 0
+    - **Y**: 0
+
+1. Inside the second (vertical) gallery, add a **Label** control, and set these properties:
+
+    - **Text**: `FullCode.Value`
+    - **Width**: `Parent.Width / 2`
+    - **X**: 0
+    - **Y**: 0
+    - **Align**: `Center`
+    - **FontWeight**: `Bold`
+    - **Size**: 24
+
+1. Inside the second (vertical) gallery, add another **Label** control, and set these properties:
+
+    - **Text**: `Char( FullCode.Value )`
+    - **Width**: `Parent.Width / 2`
+    - **X**: `Parent.Width / 2`
+    - **Y**: 0
+    - **FontWeight**: `Bold`
+    - **Size**: 24 
+
+You've created a chart of the first 128 ASCII characters. Characters that appear as a small square can't be printed.
+
+![First 128 ASCII characters](media/function-char/chart-lower.png)
+
+If you want to see how **FullCode.Value** gets its values.  Let's begin with the outer horizontal gallery.  Its **Items** property uses the **Sequence** function to create 8 columns, starting with 0 with increments of 16:
+
+![Outer gallery illustrated](media/function-char/chart-lower-outer.png)
+
+Nested within this gallery is another vertical gallery.  Its **Items** property fills in the gap left by the increment of 16 from the outer gallery:
+
+![Inner gallery illustrated](media/function-char/chart-lower-inner.png)
+
+To show the extended ASCII characters, it is a simple matter of changing the starting point for the chart, set in the Sequence function for the outer gallery:
+
+`Sequence( 8, 128, 16 ) As HighNibble`
+
+![Extended ASCII characters](media/function-char/chart-higher.png)
+
+Finally, to show the characters in a different font, set the **Font** property of the second label to a value such as **'Dancing Script'**.
+
+![Dancing Script](media/function-char/chart-higher-dancing-script.png)