Quick Answer
The answer is to use the ClearCollect function to cache data in a collection. This is the best practice for Power Apps performance optimization because it stores data from external sources locally within the app, drastically reducing the number of round trips to the data source during user interactions. By minimizing network latency and avoiding data source throttling, ClearCollect ensures the app loads and responds faster, directly addressing the slow load times caused by multiple data source connections. On the Microsoft Power Platform Fundamentals PL-900 exam, this question tests your understanding of delegation and data source strategies—a common trap is choosing "filter the data source" instead, which still requires live queries. Remember the memory tip: "Collect it once, use it locally" to recall that ClearCollect creates a local snapshot, bypassing repeated server calls.
This PL-900 practice question tests your understanding of identify foundational components of power platform. Read the scenario carefully and evaluate each option against the stated constraints before committing to an answer. After answering, compare your reasoning against the explanation and wrong-answer breakdown below. Once you have made your selection, read the full explanation to reinforce the concept and understand why each distractor is designed to mislead on exam day.
A Power Apps app uses a canvas and connects to multiple data sources. Users complain that the app loads slowly. What is the best practice to improve performance?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue: "best"
Why it matters: Signals that multiple options may be partially correct. Choose the option that most directly solves the exact problem described, not the one that sounds most complete.
Use the 'ClearCollect' function to cache data in a collection
Collections cache data locally, reducing repeated queries.
Add more screens to distribute the load
Why wrong: More screens don't reduce data calls.
Increase the timeout settings
Why wrong: Longer timeout doesn't improve speed.
Use a single data source
Why wrong: Not always possible and doesn't guarantee performance.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
Use the 'ClearCollect' function to cache data in a collection
Option A is correct because the ClearCollect function allows you to cache data from external sources into a local collection within the app. This reduces the number of round trips to the data source during user interactions, significantly improving load and response times by minimizing network latency and data source throttling.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
Use the 'ClearCollect' function to cache data in a collection
Why this is correct
Collections cache data locally, reducing repeated queries.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "best" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Add more screens to distribute the load
Why it's wrong here
More screens don't reduce data calls.
Increase the timeout settings
Why it's wrong here
Longer timeout doesn't improve speed.
Use a single data source
Why it's wrong here
Not always possible and doesn't guarantee performance.
Common exam traps
The trap here is that candidates may think adding more screens distributes the workload, but in Power Apps, each screen loads independently and can trigger separate data source calls, worsening performance rather than improving it.
Detailed technical explanation
Under the hood, ClearCollect creates a local table in the app's memory by executing a query against the data source and storing the result set. This is particularly effective with SharePoint or SQL Server where delegation limits apply; caching the entire dataset locally avoids repeated delegated queries. In real-world scenarios, this technique is essential for offline-capable apps or when working with large reference tables that change infrequently.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
A healthcare organisation deploys an application with a public-facing web tier and a private database tier. The database subnet has no public IP and only accepts connections from the web tier's security group. Questions like this test whether you can design cloud network isolation using VNets/VPCs, subnets, and security group rules.
What to study next
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FAQ
Identify foundational components of Power Platform — This question tests Identify foundational components of Power Platform — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: Use the 'ClearCollect' function to cache data in a collection — Option A is correct because the ClearCollect function allows you to cache data from external sources into a local collection within the app. This reduces the number of round trips to the data source during user interactions, significantly improving load and response times by minimizing network latency and data source throttling.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Yes — watch for: "best". Signals that multiple options may be partially correct. Choose the option that most directly solves the exact problem described, not the one that sounds most complete.
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jun 11, 2026
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