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Effective Strategies for Debugging Plugins in Dynamics CRM

In a recent interview, I was asked about debugging plugins in Dynamics CRM. The interviewer specifically wanted to know my approach to plugin debugging. In response, I mentioned using the Plugin Registration Tool profiler. However, I later realized there are multiple methods to debug plugins in Dynamics CRM/Dataverse, each essential for efficient troubleshooting. Debugging plays a crucial role in development, and having a solid understanding of various debugging approaches can help streamline issue resolution in Dynamics 365. Here, I'll explore different techniques for debugging plugin code. There are below options to use in the plugin in Dynamics CRM/Dataverse ITracingService : In Dynamics CRM plugin development, ITracingService is a service provided within the plugin's execution context that logs information for tracing and debugging. It allows developers to capture real-time. Plugin Profiler : A plugin profiler in Dynamics CRM (or Dataverse) is a debugging tool in the Plugi...

Decode and Fix: “This Data Type is Unsupported for Evaluation” in Power Apps

One common frustration when building Canvas Apps over Dataverse is encountering this cryptic error: “This data type is unsupported for evaluation” This message typically appears when Power Apps cannot process or render a specific Dataverse column type within a control or formula. While it may seem vague, it’s usually tied to specific patterns involving complex column types or runtime data structure mismatches. In this blog, we'll explore common causes, scenarios, and practical fixes from both a developer and architectural standpoint. Root Causes of the Error 1. Polymorphic Lookups Dataverse supports polymorphic relationships (e.g., `Owner`, `Customer`, `Regarding`) that can point to multiple entity types. These lookups can't be directly evaluated in Power Apps unless you cast the reference explicitly. Use: If( IsType(ThisItem.Customer, Account), AsType(ThisItem.Customer, Account).Name, AsType(ThisItem.Customer, Contact).FullName ) 2....

Connecting the Dots: FetchXML and Web API Integration in Dataverse

In Dataverse, FetchXML and the Web API are two powerful mechanisms for retrieving data and interacting with entities. Here's a brief overview of each and how they can be integrated: 1. FetchXML : - Definition: FetchXML is a proprietary query language used in Microsoft Dynamics 365 and Dataverse for querying data from entities. - Usage: FetchXML queries can be used to retrieve data based on complex criteria, perform aggregations, and filter records. - Features: FetchXML supports various query expressions, including conditions, sorting, grouping, and aggregation functions. - Integration: FetchXML queries can be executed programmatically using client-side scripting, server-side code, or through tools like the Dynamics 365 Web API. 2. Web API : - Definition: ...

Dynamics 365 Plugin Life Cycle Simplified for Business Users and Developers

The Dynamics 365 Plugin Life Cycle describes the series of steps that a plugin follows when a record is created, updated, deleted, or otherwise changed in Dataverse. In simple terms, a plugin is like an automated rule that wakes up when something happens in the system. As the event occurs, the plugin passes through different pipeline stages— Pre-Validation, Pre-Operation, Post-Operation, and Asynchronous Processing —each with its own purpose. Pre-Validation allows very early checks before the system applies business rules, Pre-Operation lets you validate or modify data before it is saved, Post-Operation triggers after the record is committed to the database, and Async handles background tasks like integrations or long-running operations. Understanding this life cycle helps ensure business logic runs at the right moment, prevents bad data from entering the system, and enables smooth automation and integrations within Dynamics 365. Plugins in Dynamics 365 are pieces of custom code that ...

L1, L2, and L3 Support Explained

L1, L2, and L3 Support Explained In IT and software support, L1 (Level 1), L2 (Level 2), and L3 (Level 3) represent different tiers of technical support, each handling issues of varying complexity. 1️⃣ L1 Support (Level 1 - Frontline Support) Role: First point of contact for users/customers Responsibilities: Handles basic issues such as password resets, user access, and general troubleshooting. Uses a knowledge base or predefined scripts to resolve common problems. Escalates complex issues to L2 if not resolved. Communicates with customers via phone, chat, or email. Records tickets in a helpdesk system (e.g., ServiceNow, Jira, Zendesk). 🔹 Example: A user is unable to log in due to incorrect credentials → L1 resets the password. 2️⃣ L2 Support (Level 2 - Technical Support) Role: More in-depth troubleshooting and problem-solving Responsibilities: Resolves moderate to complex technical issues that L1 cannot handle. Analyzes logs, configurations, and system...

Step-by-Step Guide to Building Custom APIs in Dataverse

Custom APIs in Microsoft Dataverse allow developers and architects to create their own reusable, secure, and well-defined service endpoints that extend the standard Dataverse Web API. Instead of relying solely on out-of-the-box messages (like Create, Update, or Retrieve ), Custom APIs let you define your own business operations — complete with input and output parameters — that encapsulate complex logic and can be called from Power Automate, Power Apps, or external systems. These APIs are registered once and behave like native Dataverse operations, making them ideal for implementing domain-specific logic, integrating with external services, or simplifying client-side development. From a technical standpoint, a Custom API can be implemented through a plugin class, where the backend logic is written in C#. Developers can control security through privilege definitions and ensure consistency by centralizing key business rules. Custom APIs are particularly valuable in enterprise environmen...

Stop Struggling with Plugins: Learn IOrganizationService the Smart Way

Have you ever deployed a Dataverse plugin, only to watch it fail silently or act unpredictably? Most of the time, the missing piece is understanding how to communicate with Dataverse the smart way—using IOrganizationService . In the world of Dataverse, every plugin waits for its turn when something changes. The plugin looks around and wonders, “How do I talk to the database?” That’s when IOrganizationService steps in like a trusted messenger, ready to carry out requests and bring back results. “ Need to create a record? I can handle that,” it says. “ Want to update or delete data safely ? Leave it to me.” It even speaks the secret language of Dataverse messages like Assign and SetState . But it never works alone— IOrganizationServiceFactory brings it to life, deciding whether it should act as the user or as the powerful system account. Working together with IPluginExecutionContext , it always knows who triggered the action, which record is involved, and when to respond. What is IOrgan...

How to Write and Understand a Dynamics CRM Plugin

Here’s a sample plugin code in Dynamics CRM written in C#, along with a detailed explanation of each line. This plugin will update the "Description" field of an entity whenever a record is created. Sample Plugin Code using System; // For basic .NET types using Microsoft.Xrm.Sdk; // Provides key interfaces for CRM plugin development using Microsoft.Xrm.Sdk.Query; // For performing queries against CRM data namespace SamplePluginNamespace // Custom namespace for the plugin { public class SamplePlugin : IPlugin // Plugin class implementing the IPlugin interface { public void Execute(IServiceProvider serviceProvider) { // STEP 1: Retrieve the context of the plugin IPluginExecutionContext context = (IPluginExecutionContext)serviceProvider.GetService(typeof(IPluginExecutionContext)); if (context.MessageName != "Create" || context.St...

Managing Parallel Development and Hotfixes in Dataverse Like a Pro

Managing parallel development and hotfixes in Dataverse means keeping new features and urgent fixe s moving forward at the same time without breaking the system. Because multiple teams often work in different solution layers , it becomes important to separate work clearly using branching, small modular solutions, and structured environments. While feature teams work on future releases in their own branches, hotfixes must be created quickly from the production branch, packaged in focused solutions, tested, and deployed with minimal impact. After a hotfix goes live, it must always be merged back into the development stream so it isn’t overwritten in the next release. With a good CI/CD pipeline, versioning, and clear release governance, organizations can deliver changes safely, avoid solution conflicts, and maintain stability even when several teams are building and fixing at the same time. Working with Dataverse often means several developers, consultants, and teams are customizing the...

Exploring the Differences: Managed vs. Unmanaged Solutions in Dynamics CRM/Dataverse

In Dynamics CRM/Dataverse, solutions are central to Application Lifecycle Management (ALM) , providing a structured way to manage, package, and distribute customizations across environments. Microsoft uses solutions to transfer apps and customizations by exporting them from one Dataverse environment and importing them into another. Each solution is authored and maintained by a publisher and includes components like Power Apps (canvas and model-driven), flows, entities, forms, connectors, web resources, and configurations—excluding business data. Solutions streamline ALM practices within Microsoft Power Platform. In Dynamics CRM/Dataverse, there are two types of solutions: Managed and Unmanaged . When planning an implementation, it’s important to understand the advantages and disadvantages of each to make an informed decision. Let’s explore both types to determine the best approach for development and deployment. In Dynamics 365 CRM, a managed solution is a fully packaged solution ...

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