Introduction:

In-app notifications are a powerful way to engage users directly within your model-driven Power Apps. These notifications appear in the notification center (bell icon) in the app header. Here’s how to set them up and send them using Power Automate.

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Enabling In-App Notifications in Model-Driven Apps

Before you can send notifications, you need to ensure the feature is enabled.

How to Enable:

1. Go to Power Apps and open your model-driven app in the App Designer.
2. Select the Settings gear icon in the top right.
3. Navigate to:
   Settings > Features > In-App Notifications
4. Turn on the toggle for In-App Notifications.
5. Save and publish your app.

You should now see a bell icon 🔔 in the top navigation bar when you run the app — this is the notification center.

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Build the Power Automate Flow to Send a Notification

Let’s create a simple flow that sends a notification using a manual trigger — perfect for testing and understanding the mechanism.

Flow Overview:

• Trigger: Manual (for testing purposes)
• Action 1: Compose (User ID of the recipient)
• Action 2: Add a new row to the Notification table

Detailed Steps:

1. Create a new cloud flow in Power Automate.
2. Trigger: Use the “Manual trigger a flow”.
3. Action – Compose (User ID):
   • Add a Compose step.
   • In the Inputs field, enter the User ID (GUID) of the target user.
     • You can retrieve this from the System Users table in Dataverse.
   • Example: 12a34567-b89c-1234-d567-890e123f4567
4. Action – Add a new row (Dataverse):
   • Use the “Add a new row” action.
   • Choose the “Notification” table.
   • Fill out the fields:
     • Title: Your notification title.
     • Body: Notification message (can be plain text).
     • Owner (Users): Use the output from the Compose step.
     • Priority: Normal / High.
     • Toast Type: Timed / Hidden.
     • Icon Type (optional): Info, Warning, Error.
     • Expiry (seconds): Expiry time for notification
     • Data: Optional JSON with additional data
5. Save and Test the flow.

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Result – Viewing the Notification

Once the flow runs successfully:

• Open your model-driven app.
• Click on the bell icon 🔔 in the top right.
• You should see your custom notification displayed in the panel.

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Conclusion

Sending in-app notifications in a model-driven app is a great way to enhance user engagement and ensure critical information is delivered at the right time. With Power Automate and a few simple steps, you can start sending personalized, contextual alerts directly inside your app.

Whether it’s reminders, updates, or warnings — this method helps keep users informed without leaving the app.

Keep Learning!

• Share your thoughts or questions in the comments below.
• Stay tuned to our blog for more Dynamics 365 tips and tutorials.

Thanks for reading!