Power Apps Text Recognition: Extracting Data Seamlessly

Updated on Jul 11,2025

Power Apps provides a robust platform for creating custom business applications. One of its powerful features is the ability to recognize and extract text from images using the AI Builder's Text Recognizer component. This feature can significantly streamline workflows by automating data entry and reducing manual effort. This article explores how to use text recognition in Power Apps to extract all data from an image in one go, providing practical examples and insights.

Key Points

Understand the use case for extracting data from images using Power Apps Text Recognizer.

Learn how to add and configure the Text Recognizer AI Builder component in Power Apps.

Discover how to extract all text from an image using a data table in Power Apps.

Explore the benefits of using AI Builder for text recognition in business applications.

See a practical example of extracting nutrition information from a product label image.

Learn tips for improving the accuracy of text recognition in Power Apps.

Discover how you can name these labels for further process.

The text result from recognizer is the datatype table.

Introduction to Power Apps Text Recognition

What is Power Apps Text Recognition?

Power Apps Text Recognition, powered by AI Builder, allows you to extract printed and handwritten text from images. This feature can be integrated into your Power Apps to automate various tasks such as data entry, form processing, and information retrieval. By leveraging AI, Power Apps can accurately identify and extract text, making it easier to work with images and documents. One common use case is extracting all the information presented on a label for a product in a warehouse or grocery store. Power Apps are a collection of apps, services, and data platform. The goal of power apps is to rapidly build apps for web, mobile and more without custom coding.

Why Use Text Recognition in Power Apps?

Using text recognition in Power Apps provides several advantages:

  • Automation: Automate data entry and reduce manual effort.
  • Efficiency: Speed up data processing and improve overall efficiency.
  • Accuracy: Minimize errors associated with manual data entry.
  • Accessibility: Make information more accessible by converting images to text.

By incorporating text recognition into your Power Apps, you can create more powerful and versatile business solutions.

Tips for Improving Text Recognition Accuracy

Image Quality

Ensure that the images you are using have good quality and resolution. Clear and well-lit images will improve the accuracy of text recognition.

Text Size and Clarity

Make sure that the text in the image is large enough and clear enough for the AI to recognize. Blurry or small text can be difficult to extract accurately.

Image Pre-processing

Consider pre-processing the images to enhance contrast or remove noise. Image editing tools or Power Apps formulas can be used to improve the quality of the images before text recognition.

Step-by-Step Guide: Extracting Data with Power Apps Text Recognizer

Step 1: Adding the Text Recognizer Component

To begin, you need to add the Text Recognizer AI Builder component to your Power Apps screen. Follow these steps:

  1. Open your Power Apps application in the Power Apps Studio.

  2. Navigate to the screen where you want to add the text recognition functionality.

  3. Click on the Insert tab in the top menu.

  4. Select AI Builder from the options.

  5. Choose Text Recognizer from the dropdown menu.

  6. A premium component notification may appear. Acknowledge and proceed to add the text recognizer to your canvas.

Step 2: Configuring the Text Recognizer

Once the Text Recognizer component is added, you can configure its properties:

  1. Select the Text Recognizer component on your screen.
  2. In the Properties pane on the right, you can adjust settings such as:
    • Display Mode: Choose whether the component is editable or read-only.
    • Show Image: Toggle the visibility of the image within the component.
    • Show Controls: Show or hide the camera and upload buttons.
    • Color and Border: Customize the appearance of the component.
  3. Adjust the size and position of the component as needed.

Step 3: Inserting a Data Table

To display the extracted text, use a data table. Here’s how:

  1. Click the Insert tab.
  2. Select Data table.
  3. Adjust the size and position of the data table on your screen.

Step 4: Linking Text Recognizer to the Data Table

Now, connect the Text Recognizer component to the data table:

  1. Select the data table.
  2. Go to the Properties pane and locate the Items property.
  3. Enter the following formula:
    TextRecognizer.Results.Text
  4. Go to properties pane and click Edit Fields, then add a field and pick the Text option that came from the textRecognizer control.

This formula retrieves the recognized text results and displays them in the data table.

Step 5: Testing the Text Recognition

To test the text recognition, follow these steps:

  1. Run the Power App: Click the Play button in the top-right corner of the Power Apps Studio.

  2. Add an Image: Use the Text Recognizer component to add an image.

  3. View the Results: The data table will display the extracted text from the image.

Power Apps and AI Builder Pricing

Understanding the Costs

To use the Text Recognizer component, you need a Power Apps license and an AI Builder license. Power Apps licensing is based on per-user or per-app plans, while AI Builder is licensed based on the number of AI Builder credits consumed. Microsoft provides AI Builder credits for trial.

Here’s a breakdown of the pricing components:

  • Power Apps License: Choose a plan that suits your needs, either per-user or per-app.
  • AI Builder License: Purchase AI Builder credits to use the Text Recognizer component.
  • Consumption: Each text recognition action consumes AI Builder credits, so monitor your usage to avoid unexpected costs.

Pros and Cons of Using Power Apps Text Recognition

👍 Pros

Automates data entry, reducing manual effort.

Improves efficiency by speeding up data processing.

Minimizes errors associated with manual data entry.

Makes information more accessible by converting images to text.

The test result from recognizer is the datatype table.

👎 Cons

Requires Power Apps and AI Builder licenses, which can be costly.

Accuracy depends on the quality and clarity of the images.

Consumes AI Builder credits for each text recognition action.

May require additional configuration and customization to achieve optimal results.

Practical Use Cases for Power Apps Text Recognition

Extracting Nutrition Information from Product Labels

One practical use case is extracting nutrition information from product labels. Consider an image of a food label

. By using the Text Recognizer component, you can extract the following information:

  • Product Name
  • Serving Size
  • Calories
  • Fat Content
  • Carbohydrates
  • Protein
  • Ingredients list.

This information can be stored in a database or used to populate forms, making it easier to track and manage product data.

Automating Form Processing

Text recognition can also be used to automate form processing. For example, you can extract information from scanned documents or images of forms, such as invoices or applications. By automatically extracting the text, you can reduce the need for manual data entry and improve the efficiency of your form processing workflows.

Inventory Management

Text recognition can streamline inventory management by extracting information from product labels, such as product codes, descriptions, and quantities. This data can be used to update inventory records and track stock levels, helping you manage your inventory more effectively.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What type of images can be used with Power Apps Text Recognition?
Power Apps Text Recognition works best with images that have clear, well-lit text. It can handle a variety of image formats, including JPG, PNG, and BMP. However, the quality of the image can significantly impact the accuracy of the text recognition. The clearer the image, the better the results you will get.
How accurate is the Text Recognizer component in Power Apps?
The accuracy of the Text Recognizer component depends on several factors, including the quality of the image, the size and clarity of the text, and the complexity of the layout. While AI Builder is designed to be highly accurate, it's essential to ensure that your images meet the recommended guidelines for optimal performance.
Can I use Text Recognizer with handwritten text?
Yes, the Text Recognizer component can recognize handwritten text, but the accuracy may vary depending on the legibility of the handwriting. Clear, well-formed handwriting will produce better results than messy or illegible handwriting. Testing with sample images is recommended to evaluate the performance with handwritten text.
How can I handle errors in the extracted text?
Even with the best images and settings, errors can sometimes occur in the extracted text. It's important to implement error handling mechanisms in your Power Apps to address these issues. This may involve manual review of the extracted text, validation against known data, or using additional AI models to correct errors. Providing a user interface for manual corrections can also improve the overall reliability of the text recognition process.

Related Questions

How do I train the AI model to recognize specific types of text?
The AI Builder Text Recognizer is pre-trained and doesn't require specific training. However, you can improve accuracy by providing high-quality images that adhere to the recommended guidelines. For highly specialized text recognition tasks, consider using custom AI models or integrating with other AI services.
Can I extract text from multi-page documents?
The Text Recognizer component is designed to work with single-page images. To extract text from multi-page documents, you would need to split the document into individual images or use other AI Builder components designed for document processing, such as the Form Recognizer.
Is it possible to extract data from specific regions of an image?
Yes, it is possible. After extracting all text, you can filter the Text Property for strings that correspond to the specific region from which data is to be extracted. If there are other images on the screen at the same time, it may be helpful to label each with a control name or identifier so that data can be taken from them individually using the AI Text Recognizer and Text Property.
How can I integrate Text Recognizer with other Power Apps components?
Text Recognizer can be easily integrated with other Power Apps components to build more complex applications. For example, you can use the extracted text to populate forms, update databases, or trigger automated workflows. By combining Text Recognizer with other Power Apps features, you can create powerful solutions that streamline your business processes.

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