Exam PL-100: Microsoft Power Platform App Maker

This Microsoft PL-100 exam has been built to measure your ability to accomplish the technical tasks including design solutions; create solutions; analyze data, and implement and manage solutions. The Microsoft app maker is responsible to build solutions to simplify, automate, and transform tasks and processes for themselves and their team where they have deep expertise in the solution domain. They are skilled in key technical business analyst tasks such as data modelling, basic UX design, requirements analysis, and process analysis.

What are Skills Acquired?

As a Microsoft Power Platform app maker you will develop skills including –

Builds solutions to simplify, automate, and transform tasks and processes for themselves and their team where they have deep expertise in the solution domain.
Implement key technical business analyst tasks such as data modelling, basic UX design, requirements analysis, process analysis, etc.
Creates and enforces business processes, structures digital collection of information, improves the efficiency of repeatable tasks, and automates business processes.
Uses the maker tools of Power Platform to solve business problems.

Who should take the PL-100 exam?

Candidates taking the Microsoft PL-100 exam are suggested to have experience with Visual Basic for Applications, Excel pivot tables, Teams, and other tools. Also, they should have a basic understanding of data models, user interface, and processes. Also, an App Maker candidate should be aware of the capabilities and limitations of available tools and understands how to apply them.

The app maker should be self-directed and solution-focused. The candidate may not have formal IT training but should be comfortable using technology to solve business problems with a personal growth mindset. They understand the operational need and have a vision of the desired outcome. Also, they approach problems with phased and iterative strategies.

Microsoft PL-100 Exam Details

Exam Name Microsoft Power Platform App Maker	Exam Code PL-100
Exam Duration 150 mins	Exam Format Multiple Choice and Multi-Response Questions
Exam Type Power Platform	Number of Questions 40-60 Questions
Eligibility/Pre-Requisite NIL	Exam Fee $165 USD
Exam Language English	Pass Score 700 (on a scale of 1-1000)

Exam Policies

Microsoft exam policies cover the exam-related details and information with providing the exam giving procedures. These exam policies consist of certain rules that have to be followed during exam time. However, some of the policies include:

Exam retake policy

This states that candidates who will not be able to pass the exam for the first time must wait 24 hours before retaking the exam. During this time, they can go onto the certification dashboard and reschedule the exam. If this happens for the second time then, they have to wait for at least 14 days before retaking the exam. And, this 14-day waiting period is also inflicted between the third and fourth attempts and then, fourth and fifth attempts. However, candidates can only give any exam five times a year.

Exam reschedule and the cancellation policy

Microsoft temporarily waives the reschedule and cancellation fee if candidates cancel their exams within 24 hours before the scheduled appointment. However, for rescheduling or canceling an appointment there is no charge if it is executed at least 6 business days prior to your appointment. But, if a candidate cancels or reschedules an exam within 5 business days of your registered exam time then, a fee will be applied.

Microsoft PL-100 Exam Outline

The course outline covers the following topics –

describe connectors including standard, premium, and custom connectors (Standard connectors, Premium connectors and Custom connectors)

The Microsoft PL-100 exam course outline for English versions was updated on March 15, 2023.

– Design business solutions (20–25%)

Create a high-level design

Identify existing data sources needed to support a business solution (Microsoft Documentation: Understand data sources for canvas apps)
Describe the expected user experience for targeted devices and describe the differences between Microsoft Power Platform app types
Describe the expected logic and steps that a process will execute
Create a high-level structure for a new data source

Identify Microsoft Power Platform components

Determine the required Microsoft Power Apps app type for a business solution (Microsoft Documentation: Solutions overview)
Determine when to use Dataverse for Teams (Microsoft Documentation: Microsoft Dataverse for Teams environment)
Map a problem domain to Microsoft Power Platform tools (Microsoft Documentation: Identifying the business problem to solve (the use case), Add a custom domain name)
Identify options for implementing business logic (Microsoft Documentation: Apply business logic in Microsoft Dataverse)
Describe connectors (Microsoft Documentation: Connectors overview)
Describing use cases for cloud flows and desktop flows (Microsoft Documentation: Overview of the different types of flows)
Describe use cases for chatbots

Design the user interface (UI) for a business solution

Identify opportunities for component reuse (Microsoft Documentation: Component library)
Select UI elements for canvas apps (Microsoft Documentation: Add and configure controls in canvas apps)
Identify the model-driven forms and Microsoft Dataverse views that are needed (Microsoft Documentation: Understand model-driven app views)

Design reporting and visualizations for business solutions

Select reporting options for business solutions including views, Microsoft Power BI visualizations, and dashboards (Microsoft Documentation: Share Power BI reports and dashboards with coworkers and others)
Define visualizations for Power BI dashboards (Microsoft Documentation: Introduction to dashboards for Power BI designers, Visualizations in Power BI reports)
Defining visualizations for model-driven dashboards (Microsoft Documentation: Customize visualizations and dashboards, View data with visualizations (charts))
Define visualizations for canvas apps (Microsoft Documentation: Power Apps visual for Power BI)

– Analyze and visualize data (10–15%)

Create and consume Power BI dashboards

Create a simple report from an existing dataset by using Power BI Service (Microsoft Documentation: Create quick reports in the Power BI service)
Creating Power BI dashboards from existing reports (Microsoft Documentation: Create a Power BI dashboard from a report)
Embed Power BI dashboards and tiles in canvas apps and model-driven apps (Microsoft Documentation: Embed a Power BI report in a model-driven app main form)
Share Power BI dashboards (Microsoft Documentation: Share Power BI reports and dashboards with coworkers and others)

Describe AI Builder models

Describe use cases for AI Builder (Microsoft Documentation: AI models and business scenarios)
Describing the differences between prebuilt models and custom models (Microsoft Documentation: Overview of prebuilt AI models)
Describe the process for training custom models
Use a model from within Microsoft Power Automate or Microsoft Power Apps (Microsoft Documentation: AI Builder in Power Apps overview)

– Create business solutions (60–65%)

Manage Microsoft Power Platform components during development

Create a publisher in Dataverse
Create a Dataverse solution (Microsoft Documentation: Introduction to solutions)
Import a Dataverse solution (Microsoft Documentation: Import or export data from Dataverse, Import solutions)
Export or import a canvas app or a cloud flow (Microsoft Documentation: Export and import canvas app packages)
Add existing apps and flows to a Dataverse solution (Microsoft Documentation: Overview of how to integrate Power Automate flows with Dataverse)

Create model-driven apps

Compose model-driven apps (Microsoft Documentation: What are model-driven apps in Power Apps?)
Create and configure Dataverse table forms (Microsoft Documentation: Create and design model-driven app forms)
Create and configure Dataverse table views
Share model-driven apps with other users and groups (Microsoft Documentation: Share a model-driven app using Power Apps)
Create and configure model-driven dashboards

Create and manage canvas apps

Connect to data sources in canvas apps (Microsoft Documentation: Understand data sources for canvas apps)
Interpret App Checker results (Microsoft Documentation: Use solution checker to validate your model-driven apps in Power Apps)
Manage versions of canvas apps (Microsoft Documentation: Restore a canvas app to a previous version)
Publish canvas apps (Microsoft Documentation: Save and publish canvas apps)
Share canvas apps with other users and groups (Microsoft Documentation: Share a canvas app with your organization, Share a canvas app with guest users)
Build canvas apps screens (Microsoft Documentation: Create responsive layouts in canvas apps)
Add canvas app assets and components to screens (Microsoft Documentation: Canvas component overview)

Create screens for canvas apps

Determine when to use forms, galleries, buttons, labels, input controls, images, and custom controls (Microsoft Documentation: Gallery control in Power Apps, Controls and properties in canvas apps)
Configure UI elements (Microsoft Documentation: Automate using UI elements)
Implement Power Fx formulas (Microsoft Documentation: Microsoft Power Fx overview, Power Fx formula reference for Power Apps)
Implement collections and variables
Run a Power Automate flow from a canvas app (Microsoft Documentation: Start a flow in a canvas app)

Configure Microsoft Dataverse

Create tables and table columns based on a data model (Microsoft Documentation: Create a custom table)
Link tables by using lookups (Microsoft Documentation: Create a relationship between tables, Multi-table lookups)
Describe use cases and capabilities of business rules (Microsoft Documentation: Define and create business rules in Dataverse)
Create Dataverse business rules (Microsoft Documentation: Create a business rule for a table)
Describe how Dataverse uses role-based access control (RBAC) (Microsoft Documentation: Security concepts in Microsoft Dataverse)
Add table permissions to existing Dataverse security roles

Create Power Automate flows

Describe types of triggers for cloud flows (Microsoft Documentation: Get started with triggers)
Create cloud flows (Microsoft Documentation: Create a cloud flow in a solution)
Configure triggers for cloud flows (Microsoft Documentation: Trigger a cloud flow based on email properties)
Configure flow actions
Test a cloud flow and interpret flow checker results
Implement conditional logic for a cloud flow (Microsoft Documentation: Add a condition to a cloud flow)
Create approvals and monitor the approval process by using Power Automate and Teams (Microsoft Documentation: Approvals in Microsoft Teams)
Share cloud flows (Microsoft Documentation: Share a cloud flow)
Create a desktop flow for personal use (Microsoft Documentation: Create a Power Automate desktop flow)

Create Microsoft Power Virtual Agents chatbots in Microsoft Teams

Identify use cases and capabilities for chatbots (Microsoft Documentation: Power Virtual Agents overview)
Create a chatbot that uses topics and trigger phrases (Microsoft Documentation: Create and edit topics in your Power Virtual Agents bot)
Test a chatbot (Microsoft Documentation: Test your Power Virtual Agents bot)
Publish a chatbot (Microsoft Documentation: Publish your bot)

Microsoft PL-100 Preparation Guide

Indeed preparing for the Microsoft PL-100 exam needs a lot of concentration and proper preparation resources to excel. Also, having the right set of resources will not only help you put your energy in the right direction but give a clear path for qualifying for the exam.

Review Exam Objectives

First and foremost review the exam objectives and skills measured for the exam from the official website to Also the exam keeps updating so you must keep your PL-100 study notes updated and as per the suggested preparation guideline. Some of the key skills measured include –

Design solutions (10-15%)
Create solutions (55-60%)
Analyze and visualize data (5-10%)
Implement and manage solutions (15-20%)

Certification Learning Path

The Microsoft Power Platform App Maker (PL-100) Exam prescribes a learning path that will help that with the clear path of preparation. Also, you must refer to the associated Microsoft Training and Certification Guide. Microsoft offers learning platforms that cover various study resources to help candidates during exam preparation.

PL-100 Microsoft Documentation

Microsoft off PL-100 documentation for preparation. The documentation gives an overlook of the basic course covered in the exam. All the modules cover important topics including –

Join Study Groups

You are suggested to join online study groups during the exam preparation since it will be helpful to resolve your doubts and be updated with any changes. Moreover, joining the study groups will help you to stay connected with the professionals who are already on this pathway. You can discuss your related issue in your group and even take the PL-100 study notes.

Evaluate yourself with Practice Tests

Start your preparation with PL-100 practice tests, to identify your weak areas. Moreover, practice test not only helps identify your weaknesses but also learn to manage time in the final exam. However, we suggest you take the PL-100 practice exam after completing a full topic and then try the mock tests. As a result, your revision will get stronger and you will get a better understanding.