When building custom business applications in Power Apps, it’s easy to focus on functionality first: forms, data sources, patch logic, and performance. But one critical piece that often gets overlooked—especially in multi-screen apps—is UI consistency, particularly when it comes to your header or sidebar navigation.
Let’s talk about why it matters, and how a consistent layout can make your app feel like a cohesive, user-friendly experience—even if it’s not a single-page application (SPA).
Why UI Consistency Matters in Power Apps
🧭 Predictability Builds Trust
Users rely on navigation to orient themselves. If your header, sidebar, or even your buttons look different from screen to screen, it adds mental load and increases the chance of user error. A consistent layout tells users:
“You’re still in the same app. You still know where you are.”
📱 Mobile and Desktop Responsiveness
With Power Apps running on desktops, tablets, and mobile devices, it’s more important than ever that layout elements stay consistent. A unified header or sidebar not only helps with branding but also supports better responsiveness when combined with containers and layout controls.
🎨 Visual Continuity = Brand Continuity
Whether you’re building for internal users or external clients, maintaining a branded and consistent interface builds confidence.
Use your company colors, fonts, and icons in a header or sidebar to tie all screens together visually—even if your app isn’t structured as a traditional SPA.
Strategies for Implementing a Consistent Header or Sidebar
✅ Use Components
Power Apps components allow you to build reusable elements—like headers, nav bars, and side panels—once, and reuse them across multiple screens. You can pass context (e.g., selected tab or user info) to each instance using custom properties.
💡 Pro Tip: Make your header component smart—highlight the current screen, show user roles, or display a dynamic page title.
✅ Create a Design System
If you manage multiple apps, take it a step further and build a design system—a reusable set of components, color variables, and styles to maintain consistency not just in one app, but across your entire ecosystem.
✅ Hide & Show Content Instead of Navigating
When possible, use visible containers instead of navigating between screens. While not a true SPA model, this approach can simulate single-page behavior and make transitions feel faster and more seamless—especially on mobile.
Final Thoughts
Whether you’re building a task tracker, a quoting system, or an internal portal, the look and feel of your Power App should feel connected and intentional. A consistent header or sidebar isn’t just a design choice—it’s a usability win that elevates the entire experience.
So next time you start a Power App, don’t just think about what the app does—think about how it feels.