If this material is helpful, please leave a comment and support us to continue.
Table of Contents
As a Microsoft Power Platform Developer, one of the crucial skills you need is configuring a Dataverse Custom API message. The Custom API capability allows developers to create and expose their own APIs within the Power Platform environment. In this article, we will explore the steps involved in configuring a Dataverse Custom API message, as outlined in the Microsoft documentation.
Custom API messages provide a way to create, read, update, or delete data in Dataverse using custom logic. This allows developers to extend the capabilities of the Power Platform and integrate with external systems. Custom API messages can be called from Power Apps, Power Automate, or any other application using HTTP requests.
To create a custom API message, you need to define its properties such as request parameters, response properties, and the logic to process the request. This can be done through the Power Platform Developer Tools or directly in the Dataverse environment.
In the Power Platform Developer Tools, navigate to the Dataverse environment and select “Custom API Messages” from the left navigation pane. Click on “New” to create a new custom API message. Provide a unique name, display name, and description for the custom API message.
Define the request parameters and response properties for the custom API message. Request parameters can be query parameters, body parameters, or URL segments. Response properties define the data that the custom API will return upon execution.
After defining the message definition, you need to implement the logic to process the incoming request. This can be achieved using JavaScript, C#, or any other supported language. You can also leverage Power Automate flows to handle complex business processes.
Before deploying the custom API message, it’s important to thoroughly test and debug its functionality. The Power Platform provides various tools for testing, including the ability to create sample requests and view the response. Additionally, you can use the Developer Console to debug any issues during the execution.
Once the custom API message has been tested successfully, it needs to be registered and deployed in the Dataverse environment. Registering the custom API message enables its use within canvas or model-driven apps. Deployment can be done through the Power Platform Developer Tools by selecting the appropriate environment and clicking on “Deploy All”.
With the custom API message deployed, it can be consumed within various Power Platform components such as Power Apps, Power Automate, or Azure Logic Apps. You can use the “HTTP with Azure AD” action in Power Automate to call the custom API message.
Configuring a Dataverse Custom API message is a crucial skill to possess as a Microsoft Power Platform Developer. It allows you to extend the platform’s capabilities and integrate with external systems through custom logic. By following the steps outlined in the Microsoft documentation, you can create, test, deploy, and consume custom API messages effectively. Good luck with your exam preparation for the Microsoft Power Platform Developer certification!
a) Custom API messages are always triggered by user actions.
b) Custom API messages can only be configured using plug-ins.
c) Custom API messages can be used to create, update, delete, or retrieve records in Dataverse.
d) Custom API messages can only be configured for system entities.
Correct answer: c) Custom API messages can be used to create, update, delete, or retrieve records in Dataverse.
Correct answer: True
a) Create a new workflow.
b) Define the input and output parameters for the Custom API message.
c) Enable the Custom API message for the desired entity.
d) Write a custom JavaScript function to handle the message logic.
Correct answer:
b) Define the input and output parameters for the Custom API message.
c) Enable the Custom API message for the desired entity.
a) Boolean
b) EntityCollection
c) OptionSet
d) String
Correct answer:
b) EntityCollection
d) String
Correct answer: False
a) Custom API messages can only be registered using the Power Apps portal.
b) Registered Custom API messages can only be called from Canvas Apps.
c) Custom API messages must be registered as global messages.
d) Registered Custom API messages can have restricted access based on security roles.
Correct answer: d) Registered Custom API messages can have restricted access based on security roles.
a) HTTP POST request
b) Workflow execution
c) JavaScript function call
d) Entity form submission
Correct answer:
a) HTTP POST request
c) JavaScript function call
Correct answer: True
a) The execution context provides information about the user who triggered the message.
b) The execution context is only available when a Custom API message is invoked from a Canvas App.
c) The execution context includes the inputs and outputs of the Custom API message.
d) The execution context allows access to the underlying database tables.
Correct answer: c) The execution context includes the inputs and outputs of the Custom API message.
a) Pre-validation
b) Post-operation
c) Business rule execution
d) Plugin execution
Correct answer:
a) Pre-validation
b) Post-operation
d) Plugin execution
54 Replies to “Configure a Dataverse Custom API message”
Great post on configuring a Dataverse Custom API message! It was really helpful.
Troubleshooting plugins is my nemesis! Any tips for debugging when things go wrong?
Using the Plugin Registration Tool with breakpoints in Visual Studio can be a game-changer for debugging.
Consider implementing logging in your plugins to capture detailed error information.
Thanks for the detailed explanation!
Does anyone have a working example to share? Trying to understand the flow better.
Check out the Microsoft documentation for sample projects. They offer good insights and examples.
Appreciate the detailed guide!
Thanks for the tips on handling large payloads; it worked for me.
I followed all the steps, but my registration fails. Any insights?
Check the Plugin Registration Tool for detailed error messages. They can guide you to the exact issue.
Also, make sure all your assemblies are up-to-date and correctly signed.
Fantastic resource for anyone taking the PL-400 exam.
This article really helped clarify the process for me. Thanks!
Gave me a better understanding of how Custom API messages work in Dataverse. Thanks!
It’s a good article, but I felt some steps were a bit rushed.
How do you handle error messages in Custom API responses?
You can use the throw new InvalidPluginExecutionException within your plugin code for error handling.
This post is a lifesaver! I was stuck on this for hours.
Does anyone know if there are any limitations on the types of payloads you can send with a Custom API message?
I believe certain complex types might be restricted. Simple types like string, int, and boolean generally work fine.
What’s the best way to test a Custom API once it’s deployed?
Don’t forget to check the Dataverse logs for any detailed error info when testing fails.
You can use Postman to send HTTP requests to your API for testing. Also, Fiddler is a useful tool for monitoring the traffic.
My Custom API is working but returns null values. What could cause this?
Null values often occur due to incorrect parameter configuration. Verify all settings carefully.
Double-check your mappings and make sure your data is correctly passed through the pipeline.
Not a fan of using Custom API over standard actions. Too many moving parts for small projects.
I’m encountering issues with large payloads. Has anyone faced similar problems?
You might be running into a timeout issue. Try optimizing your data transfer to make it faster.
Yes, I’ve run into that as well. Limiting your payload size or breaking it into chunks can help.
I’ve tried setting up a Custom API message, but I’m getting an unauthorized error. Any tips?
Make sure you have the correct permissions set up in your environment. Admin privileges are often required.
Double-check your authentication settings. Sometimes a token refresh is needed.
Could someone explain the difference between Custom API and Custom Action?
Custom API is more flexible and better suited for complex scenarios, whereas Custom Actions are easier to configure but are limited in scope.
I’m having trouble with authentication when calling the Custom API. Any advice?
I’ve faced similar issues before; sometimes it’s necessary to re-register your application in Azure AD to refresh the settings.
Ensure your OAuth tokens are correctly generated and that your API permissions are set up in Azure AD.
Thanks for sharing this comprehensive guide!
Can someone explain how to version control Custom API messages?
It’s best to keep your customization files in a source control system and document your changes carefully.
How do we handle versioning of Custom APIs in Dataverse?
I’m struggling with setting up the Custom API to trigger on a specific message. Any pointers?
Double-check your plugins and the metadata configuration. A missed step there can lead to such issues.
Make sure you correctly set the ‘BoundEntity’ and ‘IsPrivate’ properties. They can often cause issues if not configured properly.
Having trouble with security roles. Who should have access to the Custom API?
Generally, only system admins or users with specific roles should have access to invoke Custom APIs.
I tried implementing this, but my API message doesn’t seem to trigger correctly. What could be wrong?
Triple-check your endpoint and authentication. Sometimes a minor typo can cause issues.
Ensure you’ve correctly registered the API message and that your plugin step is properly configured.
Great tutorial on how to configure a Dataverse Custom API message.
Excellent write-up, but more diagrams would have been even better.
Very informative, thanks for the post!