Dynamics 365 is a powerful business application platform that offers a host of features to streamline various processes. One of the most popular features of Dynamics 365 is its ability to extend its functionality by creating custom plugins. A plugin is a piece of software code that runs within the Dynamics 365 environment and performs specific actions when events occur.

If you’re new to Dynamics 365 development or struggling to create a basic plugin, this blog post will guide you through the process of creating a simple Dynamics 365 plugin in British English. We will cover all the necessary steps involved in creating a plugin and provide useful tips to make your plugin SEO-friendly.

Step 1: Setting up the development environment

Before you start coding, you need to set up your development environment. This involves installing the required tools and configuring them. Here are the tools you will need:

1. Visual Studio: You can download Visual Studio from the Microsoft website. Make sure you download the version that is compatible with Dynamics 365.

2. Dynamics 365 SDK: You can download the Dynamics 365 SDK from the Microsoft website. This SDK contains all the necessary libraries and templates to develop plugins.

Once you have installed these tools, launch Visual Studio and create a new project using the Dynamics 365 Plugin Library template.

Step 2: Creating the plugin

Now that you have set up your development environment, it’s time to create the plugin. In this example, we will create a simple plugin that triggers when a new account record is created and sets a value in a custom field.

To create the plugin, follow these steps:

1. In the Visual Studio solution explorer, right-click on the CRMPluginProject and select Add => New Item.

2. Select the Class template and name it according to your preferences.

3. Inherit the IPlugin interface and implement its Execute method.

4. The Execute method should contain the logic for the plugin. In this case, we will retrieve the account record that triggered the plugin and set a value in a custom field.

Here’s an example of the code for the Execute method:

public void Execute(IServiceProvider serviceProvider)
{
IPluginExecutionContext context = (IPluginExecutionContext)serviceProvider.GetService(typeof(IPluginExecutionContext));
IOrganizationServiceFactory serviceFactory = (IOrganizationServiceFactory)serviceProvider.GetService(typeof(IOrganizationServiceFactory));
IOrganizationService service = serviceFactory.CreateOrganizationService(context.UserId);

if (context.InputParameters.Contains(“Target”) && context.InputParameters[“Target”] is Entity)
{
Entity account = (Entity)context.InputParameters[“Target”];
account.Attributes[“new_customfield”] = “Hello World!”;
service.Update(account);
}
}

Step 3: Deploying the plugin

Once you have created the plugin, it’s time to deploy it to Dynamics 365. Follow these steps to deploy the plugin:

1. Build the project in Visual Studio to generate the plugin assembly.

2. Open Dynamics 365 and navigate to Settings => Customizations => Customize the System.

3. Select the entity for which you want to register the plugin. In this case, we will select the Account entity.

4. Click on the Plugins button to open the Plugin Registration tool.

5. Click on the Register New Assembly button to register the plugin assembly.

6. Enter the required details, such as the assembly file path, class name, and plugin type.

7. Set the appropriate values for the event and filter criteria.

8. Click on the Register button to register the plugin.

Your plugin is now deployed to Dynamics 365 and will be triggered whenever the specified event occurs.

Tips for writing an SEO-friendly Dynamics 365 plugin article

If you’re publishing an article about creating a Dynamics 365 plugin, here are some tips to make it SEO-friendly:

1. Use a catchy title: Your title should accurately reflect the content of your article and contain relevant keywords.

2. Use headings and subheadings: Use headings and subheadings to break up the content and make it easy to read. Use H1 tags for the main heading and H2 tags for the subheadings.

3. Use images and videos: Use images and videos to illustrate your points and make your article more engaging. Make sure you optimize your images for SEO by using descriptive alt tags.

4. Use relevant keywords: Use relevant keywords throughout your article, including in the title, headings, and body. Avoid keyword stuffing, as this can negatively impact your SEO.

5. Provide useful information: Make sure your article provides useful information that is relevant to your readers. This will increase the chances of your article being shared and linked to, which will improve your SEO.

In conclusion, creating a Dynamics 365 plugin is a great way to extend the functionality of the platform and streamline your business processes. By following the steps outlined in this article and optimizing your content for SEO, you can create a useful and engaging resource for Dynamics 365 developers.