What is Power FX? Microsoft's new Open-source language based on Excel

Power FX is an open-source programming language developed by Microsoft that promises to make coding as easy as building an Excel spreadsheet.

The Windows-maker touted Power FX as general purpose low-code programming language based on spreadsheet-like formulas which can be used across Microsoft’s Power Platform; and as it is based on Microsoft Excel it will be accessible to a larger number of people, even non-programmers.

Albeit, Power FX isn't so much a brand-new language as it is a new moniker for the formula language for Microsoft's canvas apps.

What Power FX brings to the coding table?

Power FX is a general-purpose, declarative, strong typed, and functional programming language that shares the same syntax and functions as Excel.

It currently works with Power Apps which is where you can experience it for now. And the process of extracting the programming language so that it can be used in more Microsoft Power Platform products and make it available for everyone is the next step.

As such, if you're familar with spreadsheets, or particularly, if you have written VBA macros, then you'll find Power FX pretty straightforward. There is also the fact that Power FX can be used in a "no-code" environment by making the UI generate the data and formulae needed for the computation.

Additionally, Power FX formulas can be stored in YAML source files for easy edit using either Visual Studio Code, or any other text editor and it also enables Power FX to be under the same source control with Azure DevOps, GitHub, or other source code control systems.

What Power FX means for Developers?

As Power Fx will be used within Microsoft's workflow automation tool and subsequently made available to all Windows 10 users, it can amplify the effectiveness and impact of developers by multiples of the same timeframe.

Therefore, offering developers a familiar way to express logic, will dramatically expand the possibility of building sophisticated solutions. And coupled with the tools a professional expects, including ability to directly edit apps in text-based editors like Visual Studio Code and use source control, Power FX will make it possible for developers to work faster and be more productive.