Configure Editable Grids

In the last step, we uncovered Using Specialised Form Components. In this step, we learn about Configure Editable Grids.

Editable grids are special controls for editing select fields from a view without needing to open the specific record. This feature is available out of the box but must be added to the entities in Dynamics 365 for Customer Engagement. Editable grids are available to use in views and as sub-grids placed on forms. You cannot create new records via the editable grid – you may only use it to update existing records. These controls use the custom control framework.

Data changes made within the editable grid will have the same impact on Workflows and Business Rules with a scope of Entity or All Forms as if the same data changes were made on the form. Autosave will complete as the user moves on to the next record in the grid.

In order to use editable grids, you will need to explicitly enable the feature for each entity and enable each sub-grid on a form.

To enable the editable grids, you must first add the control on the entity definition.

Once enabled you can perform direct inline editing of records for records of that entity type.

In addition to the ability to edit records from the grid, you can also group records.

To enable an editable sub-grid on a form, you must start from the form where the sub-grid is located. In our example below, we are looking at the Contact sub-grid on the Account form.

Double-click on the sub-grid to open its properties.

On the Controls tab, select Add Control.

Select Editable Grid.

You will now have the same editable grid functionality available on the Contact sub-grid on the Account form, including grouping. When the data changes from an editable sub-grid are saved, the hosting form will not also execute a save. This means that the change that you made to the Contact record will save but an additional save will not fire on the Account record.

Next up, we’ll be finding out more about Configure Special System Views.