Color = context. Work smarter, avoid mistakes

Oct 3, 2025  •  2   • 313 

Ever clicked in your app and wondered: Am I in DEV or PRD now?
Mistakes happen. Mis-clicks happen. And worst case: you update data in the wrong environment.

In this blog: a simple pattern to make your app visually aware — based on environment.

🎯 The idea in short

• Create an environment variable (e.g. CurrentEnvironment) with possible values DEV, ACC, PRD
• In your app, use logic to pick a color based on that value
• Result: the UI itself signals which environment you’re in

Color = Context. Work smarter, avoid mistakes.

1. Create the variable

In your solution:

• Add a new Environment Variable

• Name it CurrentEnvironment
• Give it value (DEV, ACC, PRD)

2. Assign colors per environment

In Power Apps you add a variable which is set while loading the app to switch based on current environment:

Set(varEnvironmentColor, 
    Switch(LookUp('Environment Variable Values', 'Environment Variable Definition'.'Schema Name' = "emb_CurrentEnvironment").Value, 
        "DEV", Color.Yellow,
        "ACC", Color.Red,
        "PRD", Color.White       
    )); 

Bind that to background, header bar, or banner — anywhere you want the color cue.

Differentation

DEV	ACC	PRD

👍Why this helps

• At a glance you see which environment you’re working in
• Prevents fatal mistakes (like editing PRD while you thought you were in DEV)
• Consistent across your team: everyone sees the same cues
• Flexible: add more environments later

💡Tips & variations

• Use lighter shades (pastels) so the color cue is subtle, not distracting
• Combine with icons or labels like “DEV mode” or “ACC mode”
• Always set a fallback color in case something goes wrong

🧩 Implementation checklist

• Create environment variable CurrentEnvironment
• Define values: DEV, ACC, PRD
• Pick your colors
• Write the switch logic in the app
• Apply it to a prominent UI area
• Test: change the variable and see the effect immediately

With one simple variable and a splash of color, you turn your Power App into a smarter and more user-friendly tool; no more second-guessing where you are.