The instant insights pipeline: OneLake shortcuts + Dataverse + Power Apps

#fabcon2026 #session #learning #microsoft #fabcon2026-session

Description

What if your business apps could power real-time analytics without complex ETL? In this session, we’ll look at how Power Apps and Dataverse connect directly to Microsoft Fabric using OneLake shortcuts, so your data is available almost in real time. You’ll learn how it works and the key tips to build solutions where everyday business actions turn into insights within seconds.

Key Takeaways

Zero-copy architecture: Dataverse data flows into OneLake via shortcuts — no ETL, no duplication, data stays in place and is queried in Delta format
OneLake Shortcut Transformations (GA at FabCon 2026): automatically transform data as it enters OneLake — convert to Delta format or apply AI transformations (summarization, translation, classification)
The pipeline: Dataverse → OneLake Shortcut → Power BI semantic model → Power Apps for action — all without moving data or building traditional pipelines
Power Platform and Fabric are complementary, not competing: Power Platform for operational apps and automation, Fabric for analytics and AI — OneLake is the integration point
Front-line worker scenario: mobile Power App for field data capture → Dataverse → OneLake shortcut → Power BI dashboard for managers — real-time operational analytics
Gaston Cruz: Sr. Director at Slalom, 9x Microsoft MVP Data Platform, YouTube: PowerMates, Seattle Power BI User Group Leader
Alex Rostan: 6x MVP (Copilot Studio & Power Automate), Director at Zarasa — PowerMates co-host
Key insight: OneLake security wraps around shortcuts — data in Dataverse accessed via shortcut respects OneLake RBAC roles

My Notes

Action Items

Resources & Links

Slides

📥 Download Slides

The instant insights
pipeline: OneLake
shortcuts + Dataverse

Power Apps
Gaston Cruz
Sr Director Slalom
Microsoft MVP Data & AI
Alex Rostan
Director Zarasa
Microsoft MVP
Business Applications
Gaston Cruz
(he/him)
Sr. Director – Global Microsoft Leader
MVP Data Platform X9 | Seattle, WA, US
Professional:
•
Advisory Board for Microsoft Fabric Featured Partner Program and Fabric
Engineering Connection
•
Microsoft Certified Trainer for the last 15 years
•
YouTube Channel - PowerMates
•
Seattle Power BI User Group Leader
•
Member of Microsoft Global Data Communities Council
Alex Rostan
MVP Bizz Apps X6 | Toronto, Canada
Dual MVP – Copilot Studio & Power Automate
Director – Zarasa / PowerMates
• Cloud Architect
• Power Platform User Group Leader
• Power Mates Channel
Power Platform
Power Automate
Power Apps
Power Pages
Copilot Studio
Power BI
Copilot
Agents
Power Platform Environment
Managed Environment
Mobile app
(phone, for front line)
Back-office app
(desktop, for managers)
Supplier Communications
(web)
Files, emails, use Power
Automate to feed into
data store
Relational database
Microsoft Fabric
The unified data platform for AI transformation
Data
Factory
Analytics
Databases
Real-Time
Intelligence
Power BI
Fabric Platform
Copilot
OneLake
Governance
OneLake is the OneDrive for data
Your single, secure foundation for every workload
One open format for storing
and querying data org-wide
Data
Factory
Analytics
Databases
Real-Time
Intelligence
Power BI
Automatically indexed to
simplify discovery and sharing
Built-in lineage for end-to-end
traceability across workloads
Protected at every layer
with OneLake security
OneLake
Shortcut transformations
Seamless enrichment with AI in OneLake
x
shortcut
Source Folder
AI transformations built
directly into OneLake
x
Destination Folder
…
x
Source Folder
…
shortcut
transform
Extend easily by pointing
to source folders and adding
defined transformations
Right-click operations enabled
on all folders across all clouds
f(x)
Destination Folder
Auto track changes in source
and sync the destination
Shortcut transformations
Seamless enrichment with AI in OneLake
Convert Formats
Enhance with AI
New
Parquet to Delta/Iceberg
New
Conversation
PII
detection
Text
summary
Translate
JSON to Delta/Iceberg
CSV to Delta/Iceberg
Sentiment
Name
recognition
Key phrase
extraction
OneLake Unified Data Foundation
Data in
Store/Virtualize
Mirroring
Connect
external catalogs
Metadata
synchronization
Microsoft
OneLake
Data through shortcuts
or CDC replication
OneLake Security
OneLake Unified Data Foundation
Data in
Data out
Store/Virtualize
Azure Blob
& DFS APIs
Mirroring
Connect
external catalogs
Metadata
synchronization
Data through shortcuts
or CDC replication
Microsoft
OneLake
High-scale APIs
compatible with all
Storage SDKs and
applications
View data as
blobs or files
OneLake Security
OneLake Unified Data Foundation
Data in
Data out
Store/Virtualize
Mirroring
Connect
external catalogs
New
Metadata
synchronization
Microsoft
OneLake
Data through shortcuts
or CDC replication
OneLake Security
New Table
API
Iceberg and
Delta standard
REST endpoints
Azure Blob
& DFS APIs
OneLake Diagnostics
Generally available
Audit OneLake usage org-wide
with built-in monitoring
Track availability, errors,
request metrics, and more
Spans all data: stored, mirrored,
or virtualized via shortcuts
Compatible with storage
diagnostics from Azure
OneLake Catalog Secure Tab
Public preview
Enable trusted collaboration
with OneLake security in Fabric
Central management in the
new OneLake catalog secure tab
Improved REST APIs for
OneLake security automation
Expanded support for
all mirrored sources
Demo
Time
QUESTIONS?
Thank you
Power Mates Channel
https://www.youtube.com/@PowerMatesMS
Website:
https://www.thepowermates.com
rostanker@msn.com
gastoncruz@outlook.com
/alexrostan
/gastoncruz
@rostanker
@gastonfcruz
Sound off.
The mic is all yours.
Influence the product roadmap.
Join the Fabric User Panel
Join the SQL User Panel
Share your feedback directly with our
Fabric product group and researchers.
Influence our SQL roadmap and ensure
it meets your real-life needs
https://aka.ms/JoinFabricUserPanel
https://aka.ms/JoinSQLUserPanel
Sound off.
The mic is all yours.
Influence the product roadmap.
Join the Fabric User Panel
Join the SQL User Panel
Share your feedback directly with our
Fabric product group and researchers.
Influence our SQL roadmap and ensure
it meets your real-life needs
https://aka.ms/JoinFabricUserPanel
https://aka.ms/JoinSQLUserPanel
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