Microsoft Unveils Power Fx: A New Low-Code Language

Today, Microsoft announced Power Fx, a novel low-code language drawing inspiration from the familiar structure of Excel formulas. This language is set to become the standard for customizing logic within Microsoft’s Power Platform.

However, Microsoft intends to open-source Power Fx, fostering wider adoption and potentially establishing it as the leading standard for similar applications across the industry.

Targeting Business Users with Familiarity

Given that the Power Platform primarily caters to business users rather than professional developers, leveraging their pre-existing Excel knowledge and formula familiarity appears to be a strategic decision.

This approach aims to lower the barrier to entry and accelerate development for a broader audience.

The Evolution of Programming Languages

Charles Lamanna, CVP of Power Platform engineering at Microsoft, highlighted the recent shift in the programming landscape. He explained that programming languages have become increasingly free, open-source, and community-driven over the past 15 years.

Languages like C#, TypeScript, and Google’s Go serve as prime examples of this trend.

Addressing the Gap in Low-Code/No-Code

Lamanna pointed out that while professional development has benefited from open-source languages, the low-code/no-code space has largely relied on proprietary programming languages. These languages are often isolated, non-portable, and lack strong community support.

Power Fx aims to bridge this gap by offering an open and collaborative alternative.

Inspiration Beyond Excel

The development of Power Fx was spearheaded by a team including Vijay Mital, Robin Abraham, Shon Katzenberger, and Darryl Rubin. Their inspiration extended beyond Excel to include languages and tools such as Pascal, Mathematica, and Miranda – a functional programming language from the 1980s.

This diverse range of influences contributes to the language’s robust and versatile nature.

Rollout and Community Focus

Microsoft intends to integrate Power Fx across its entire suite of low-code platforms. The initial rollout will focus on Power Automate, Power Virtual Agents, and other key areas.

A strong emphasis is placed on community involvement and encouraging external adoption of the language.

Versatility for Different Skill Levels

Developers will encounter Power Fx within the formula bars of products like Power Apps Studio. More experienced users will also have the option to utilize Visual Studio Code for building more complex applications.

This dual approach caters to both novice and advanced users.

Excel-Like Behavior and Instant Recalculation

The team prioritized not only making Power Fx resemble Excel but also replicating its behavior. Like Excel – or a REPL environment – formulas are declarative and automatically recalculate as developers modify their code.

This immediate feedback loop enhances the development process.

The Need for Extensibility

Most low-code/no-code platforms provide mechanisms for extending functionality with custom code or exporting the entire codebase. This is because these tools, while powerful, have inherent limitations.

They are designed to support a broad spectrum of scenarios but cannot accommodate every unique business requirement.

A Gradual Learning Curve

Microsoft envisions a gradual adoption of formulas within the Power Platform. Initially, users will rely on macro recorders and templates. With Power Apps, the initial experience will be purely visual, drag-and-drop, requiring no formula writing.

However, as users gain proficiency, they will naturally begin to explore and utilize the advanced capabilities, potentially evolving into dedicated Power Platform or low-code developers.

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