Microsoft Dataverse

Dataverse it is a service for storing data in the cloud. It is the back-end to Model-driven apps and by that also to some of the Dynamics apps e.g. Dynamics Sales and Dynamics Customer Service (former CRM-parts in Microsoft Dynamics CRM). Dataverse is more than just a relational database and storage in the cloud. It also comes with concepts like security (configure security models for your apps), business logic and data integration.

General

You work with Microsoft Dataverse though the Maker Portal.

Work in Solutions, not with the tables directly

In Maker Portal, you can get an overview of the tables under Data, but you should make it a habit not to create new tables under Data, but rather work within Solutions. It is not recommended to work within the Default Solution.

History

Microsoft Dataverse originates from Microsoft Dynamics CRM. As Microsoft's CRM/xRM platform evolved into Power Platform concepts like editing existing data models, creating new data models and managing security for your application was transformed into the Common Data Service (CDS). One explanation for the origin of CDS is that Microsoft saw similarities in their different products, AX (Finance & Operations) had something called Accounts, Dynamics CRM/365 CE had Accounts etc. and in order to make it easier to talk about and implement integration between different products the CS was introduced. It came with a pre-defined set of tables in what is called Common Data Model (CDM).

In November 2020 Common Data Service (CDS) was rebranded into Dataverse.

Building blocks

• xRM - i.e. the possibility to model anything relationship management!
• Build relational data models
• Create forms and views
• Import/Export data - Data import
• Business Logic - Low-Code: Calculated Columns, Business Rules, Classic Workflows. Extend with code: Plugins, Custom Workflows.
• Security Model - Manage Business Units, who accesses what information etc.
• Search for data - Compare search options in Microsoft Dataverse

Related Content

Power Wiki

• Dataverse for Teams
• Dataverse Connector

Microsoft Resources

• How to use Power Platform’s advanced data backend for all your apps | Dataverse
• What is Microsoft Dataverse?
• New task based and overview videos published for Dataverse and Dataverse for Teams

Community Content

• What is Microsoft Dataverse? By Alex Shlega