Dataverse for Teams is a built-in, low-code data platform for Microsoft Teams that empowers users to build custom apps, bots, and flows in Teams, without leaving the Teams environment. It provides a subset of the full-fledged Power Apps capabilities but is designed to be more user-friendly and intuitive, making it ideal for small to medium-sized projects.
Determining when to use Dataverse for Teams
Here are some scenarios or considerations when you might opt to use Dataverse for Teams:
- You are building an application that is primarily to be used within the Microsoft Teams environment.
- Your application requirement fits within the capacity limits provided by the Dataverse for Teams (i.e., 2GB database capacity and 1GB file capacity).
- Your team doesn’t have the skills or resources to manage a full-fledged Power Apps environment – Dataverse for Teams simplifies setup, application sharing, and collaboration.
- Your app needs the user-friendly and intuitive features of Dataverse for Teams, like the simplified app studio and in-context editing of tables, to speed up the development process.
- You need to utilize the enterprise-grade security and compliance provided by the Microsoft Teams environment.
When to use full Power Apps and Dataverse instead of Dataverse for Teams:
- The app will be extensively used outside the Teams environment.
- Your application requires the use of complex relationships, business rules, or custom code which exceed the capabilities of Dataverse for Teams.
- Your app requires features or functionality which are not available in Dataverse for Teams (e.g. Portals, complex data types, plug-ins, real-time workflows, etc.).
- The application requirements exceed the capacity limits of the Dataverse for Teams (your app needs more than 2GB database capacity or 1GB file capacity).
- You have an existing Power Apps environment and the necessary resources and skills to manage it.
Benefits of Using Microsoft Dataverse for Teams
Benefits | Description |
---|---|
Built for Teams | Dataverse for Teams is designed to integrate seamlessly into Microsoft Teams, providing a user-friendly and intuitive platform for building and managing your apps. |
Simplified sharing and collaboration | By leveraging the Teams environment, you can share your app, receive feedback, and collaborate more easily with your team. |
Simplified app creation | Dataverse for Teams provides a simplified app studio and in-context editing of tables, speeding up the development process. |
Security | With Dataverse for Teams, your data is stored within Teams, benefiting from Microsoft’s advanced security and compliance features. |
As an App Maker, understanding when to use and harness the power of Dataverse for Teams is crucial. It is more than just an integrated database for your Teams environment; it is a robust, user-friendly platform for creating, deploying, and managing your PowerApps.
Practice Test
True or False: Microsoft Dataverse for Teams allows the creation of custom apps, bots, and flows in Teams.
- 1) True
- 2) False
Answer: True
Explanation: This is one of the main functionalities of Microsoft Dataverse for Teams. It allows users to build custom apps, bots, and flows right within Teams.
Microsoft Dataverse for Teams can be used across all your organization’s teams and channels. Is this statement True or False?
- 1) True
- 2) False
Answer: False
Explanation: Specific instances of Dataverse for Teams are scoped to the team where they were created. They can’t be used across multiple teams and channels.
Which of the following scenarios requires using Microsoft Dataverse for Teams? (Multiple select)
- a) Building a simple app without data persistence
- b) Needing a bot to automate a routine process
- c) Requiring an app to work across multiple channels
- d) Collaborating with a team on an app
Answer: b, d
Explanation: Dataverse for Teams allows someone to build bots within Teams for automating routine tasks (b) and enables team collaboration on an app (d). For scenarios that require data persistence or cross-application work, traditional Dataverse or another solution may be required.
Microsoft Dataverse for Teams can be used routinely for large-scale enterprise applications. True or False?
- 1) True
- 2) False
Answer: False
Explanation: Microsoft Dataverse for Teams is intended for use in more contained, smaller-scale scenarios, such as team-level applications. For large-scale enterprise applications, using traditional Dataverse or other solutions would be more suitable.
Can you use Microsoft Dataverse for Teams to create a dashboard view of your organization’s data?
- 1) Yes
- 2) No
Answer: Yes
Explanation: Microsoft Dataverse for Teams integrates with Power BI, allowing you to create data visualizations and dashboards.
True or False: Microsoft Dataverse for Teams comes with limited storage compared to standalone Dataverse?
- 1) True
- 2) False
Answer: True
Explanation: Microsoft Dataverse for Teams is scoped to a specific team and comes with a storage limit of 2GB as against the 4TB for Dataverse.
Microsoft Dataverse for Teams is designed primarily for code-based developments. True or False?
- 1) True
- 2) False
Answer: False
Explanation: Microsoft Dataverse for Teams is intended mainly for low code or no code developments.
Microsoft Dataverse for Teams supports external sharing of apps. True or False?
- 1) True
- 2) False
Answer: False
Explanation: Apps created in Microsoft Dataverse for Teams currently do not support external sharing or guest access.
True or False: There are licensing costs associated with using Microsoft Dataverse for Teams.
- 1) True
- 2) False
Answer: False
Explanation: Microsoft Dataverse for Teams is included at no additional cost with select Office 365 and Microsoft 365 subscriptions.
You can use Microsoft Power Apps to create applications in Microsoft Dataverse for Teams. True or False?
- 1) True
- 2) False
Answer: True
Explanation: Power Apps is the tool that lets you build and manage applications in Microsoft Dataverse for Teams.
Interview Questions
What is Microsoft Dataverse for Teams?
Microsoft Dataverse for Teams is a low code data platform that is available within Microsoft Teams. It provides relational data storage, rich data types, enterprise grade governance, and one-click solution deployment.
When should one use Microsoft Dataverse for Teams?
One should use Microsoft Dataverse for Teams when developing apps that are relational, secure, and can be built using low code tools. It’s also best used when the solution or app will be primarily used within Microsoft Teams.
What are the benefits of using Microsoft Dataverse for Teams?
Benefits of using the Dataverse for Teams include: the ability to store and manage data for business processes and workflows within the Teams environment, facilitated collaboration, support for automations and bots, and easy integration of Power Apps and Power Automate.
How is Microsoft Dataverse for Teams different from Dataverse?
Dataverse for Teams is tailored specifically for use within Microsoft Teams and as such, it is embedded in Teams and designed for simpler, smaller scope scenarios. On the other hand, the regular Dataverse is meant for more complex, organization-wide scenarios that require additional functionality.
Is Microsoft Dataverse for Teams included in the Teams license?
Yes, Microsoft Dataverse for Teams is included as part of the Microsoft Teams license.
How does Microsoft Dataverse for Teams support data security?
Microsoft Dataverse for Teams supports data security through features such as row-level security, automatic inheritance of Teams’ security settings, and secure authentication using Azure Active Directory.
How is the storage capacity calculated in Microsoft Dataverse for Teams?
The storage capacity in Microsoft Dataverse for Teams is determined on a per team basis. Each team starts with a significant amount of storage and additional storage can be added as needed.
What types of data can be stored using Microsoft Dataverse for Teams?
Dataverse for Teams supports various types of data, including structured data (like name, address, etc.), media (like images and recordings), and log data.
Can I transfer a solution from Dataverse for Teams to regular Dataverse?
Yes, you can export a solution from Dataverse for Teams and import it into Microsoft Dataverse.
Can Microsoft Dataverse for Teams interact with Power Automate and Power Apps?
Yes, Microsoft Dataverse for Teams is designed to seamlessly interact with Power Apps and Power Automate. You can create apps with Power Apps and automate processes with Power Automate using the data stored in Dataverse for Teams.
Can I use Microsoft Dataverse for Teams outside of Microsoft Teams?
No, Microsoft Dataverse for Teams is designed specifically to be used within the Microsoft Teams environment.
What happens to my data in Microsoft Dataverse for Teams when a Team is deleted?
When a Team is deleted, the associated data in Microsoft Dataverse for Teams is also deleted in accordance with the Office 365 Group expiration policy.
Can I share data in Microsoft Dataverse for Teams across different Teams?
No, Data in Microsoft Dataverse for Teams is scoped to the specific Team. While you can create connections between different teams, the data is not shared across Teams.
Are there any storage limitations in Microsoft Dataverse for Teams?
Yes, there are limitations to the storage in Microsoft Dataverse for Teams. However, these limitations depend on your Microsoft Teams license.
Can I used Advanced Developer features in Microsoft Dataverse for Teams?
No, Advanced Developer features like plugins, real-time workflows, and creating or modifying Dataverse for Teams tables using solutions aren’t available within Microsoft Dataverse for Teams.