Writing a Simple Dynamics 365 Plugin: An Easy Guide

Plugins are one of the most important aspects of Dynamics 365. They can enhance the functionality of the platform while making the workflows or business processes more efficient. In this blog post, we will discuss how to create a simple Dynamics 365 plugin.

To get started, let’s understand what a plugin is. A plugin is a piece of code that runs on the server side of Dynamics 365 and is triggered by an event. Plugins are commonly used to extend standard functionality or add new functionality to the platform.

Here are the steps you can follow to create a simple Dynamics 365 plugin:

Step 1: Create a New Project

Firstly, open Visual Studio and create a new project by selecting “Class Library” and choosing the appropriate version of .NET Framework. Give your project a name and click “OK.”

Step 2: Reference the Dynamics 365 SDK

Next, add a reference to the Dynamics 365 SDK to your project. This is necessary to use the functionality provided by Dynamics 365. You can do this by right-clicking on the project in Solution Explorer and selecting “Add Reference.” Then, select the “Browse” tab and navigate to the folder where the Dynamics 365 SDK files are located. Select the appropriate DLL files and click “OK.”

Step 3: Define the Class

After adding the reference, define the class that will contain the plugin code. To do this, add a new class to the project by right-clicking on the project in Solution Explorer, selecting “Add,” then “Class.” Name the class appropriately.

Step 4: Implement the IPlugin Interface

To create a valid Dynamics 365 plugin, you must implement the IPlugin interface provided by the SDK. This interface contains two methods that must be implemented: Execute and GetParameters.

The Execute method contains the main functional code of your plugin. It is executed when the plugin is triggered by a specified event. The GetParameters method returns a collection of input parameters expected by the Execute method.

Step 5: Build and Deploy the Plugin

Once you have implemented the IPlugin interface, build the plugin project. This will create a DLL file that contains the compiled plugin code. Then, you can deploy the plugin to Dynamics 365 by using the Plugin Registration Tool. This tool can be downloaded from the Microsoft Download Center.

After following these five simple steps, you should now have a simple Dynamics 365 plugin up and running!

Final Thoughts

In conclusion, Dynamics 365 plugins are powerful tools that can enhance the functionality of the platform. Creating a simple plugin is not a difficult task, and it can be achieved in just a few easy steps. By following the guidelines outlined in this blog post, you can create your own simple Dynamics 365 plugin with ease. With this knowledge, you can add new functionality or extend existing functionality to Dynamics 365 and take your business processes to the next level.