When working with the PL-100 Microsoft Power Platform App Maker certification exam, you’re likely to encounter various scenarios or tasks related to Microsoft’s Dataverse. If you are unfamiliar with this term, Dataverse is a data platform supplied and managed by Microsoft. It provides secure and scalable storage for your data as well as metadata. A key element of this, which can often challenge new users, is how to export and import Dataverse solutions. This article aims to clarify these concepts and guide you through the process using specific examples, step-by-step instructions, and comparisons where helpful.
Exporting Dataverse Solutions
Exporting a solution is a fairly straightforward process. You can use it to move solutions or components between environments or to create backups. The exported file will be in the form of a compressed (.zip) file and can be stored as required.
To export a solution:
- Go to Power Apps.
- Select Solutions from the left-hand navigation.
- Choose the particular solution you wish to export.
- Click on ‘…’ (More Commands) and then ‘Export’.
Upon clicking export, you’ll be presented with two options:
- Managed: A solution that can’t be customized in the environment it is imported into.
- Unmanaged: A solution that can be customized in the environment it is imported into.
Managed Vs Unmanaged
| Managed | Unmanaged | |
|---|---|---|
| Customizable? | No (Final version for customers) | Yes (For ongoing development and customization) |
| Can be deleted? | Yes | No |
Importing Dataverse Solutions
Now that we’ve exported a solution, let’s explore how to import it into another environment.
- Navigate to Power Apps.
- Select Solutions from the left-hand menu.
- Click on the ‘Import’ button at the top of the page.
- Follow the instructions and select your zip file that contains the exported solution.
Potential Errors When Importing
When importing solutions, there are a few errors you might encounter.
- Missing dependencies: This error occurs when the solution being imported relies on another component that doesn’t exist in the destination environment. Always ensure you’ve first imported all the dependent solutions or components.
- Incompatible version: This error is prompted when the solution was exported from a version of Dataverse that is newer than the one it is being imported into.
During the import process, if any errors occur, they will be displayed in the ‘Import Solution’ dialog, along with system job IDs to trace the specific error.
In Conclusion
Knowing how to confidently import and export Dataverse solutions is a crucial part of preparing for the PL-100 Microsoft Power Platform App Maker certification exam. Understanding the differences between managed and unmanaged solutions and how to deal with common errors will help you not only in achieving certification but in successfully managing solutions within the Power Platform and Dataverse environment.
Practice Test
True or False: Dataverse is used to create, secure and manage data across various business applications.
- True
- False
Answer: True
Explanation: Dataverse provides a secure and scalable platform for creating, securing and managing data used for business applications.
In the process of importing a solution, a user needs to have the System Customizer role. Is this statement True or False?
- True
- False
Answer: True
Explanation: A user who wishes to import a solution must have the System Customizer security role or equivalent permissions to perform the task.
What stages are involved in the process of exporting a solution in Dataverse? Select all that apply.
- a) Defining schema
- b) Building the solution
- c) Exporting the solution
- d) Importing the solution
Answer: a) Defining schema, b) Building the solution, c) Exporting the solution
Explanation: Importing the solution is not part of the exporting process but can be seen as a subsequent stage where the exported solution will be brought into another environment.
True or False: Exported Dataverse solutions are saved in a common data model (.cdm) file.
- True
- False
Answer: False
Explanation: Exported Dataverse solutions are saved in .zip file format, not .cdm.
What is the Power Platform Admin center used for? Select the best answer.
- a) To create new data records
- b) To manage database security
- c) To import and export Dataverse solutions
- d) To write code for applications
Answer: c) To import and export Dataverse solutions
Explanation: The Power Platform Admin center is used to manage the entire platform including importing and exporting Dataverse solutions.
True or False: After importing a solution, a user cannot roll back to a previous version of that solution.
- True
- False
Answer: True
Explanation: Dataverse doesn’t support rollback capability so once a solution is imported, users cannot revert to a previous version of it.
What do you need to import a solution into an environment? Select all that apply.
- a) The solution’s .zip file
- b) The data of the solution
- c) Proper permissions
- d) Deployment logic
Answer: a) The solution’s .zip file, c) Proper permissions
Explanation: You only need the solution’s .zip file and the correct permissions to import a solution into an environment.
True or False: A solution can be imported directly into the Production environment.
- True
- False
Answer: False
Explanation: Importing a solution directly into the Production environment is not a recommended practice. It is advised to import solutions into a Test environment first.
What can be included in a Dataverse solution? Select all that apply.
- a) Tables
- b) Relations
- c) Forms
- d) Views
- e) All of the above
Answer: e) All of the above
Explanation: Tables, relations, forms, views, and multiple other components can be included in a solution depending on the business needs.
In Dataverse, deleting a solution also deletes all of its components. True or False?
- True
- False
Answer: False
Explanation: Deleting a solution in Dataverse does not delete its components. These components can exist without the solution.
Interview Questions
What is a Dataverse solution in the context of Microsoft Power Platform?
A Dataverse solution is a container that is used to transport apps, flows, and tables across environments or to package them for delivery to customers.
How can you export a Dataverse solution in Power Platform?
To export a Dataverse solution: Go to the Solutions area in Power Apps, choose the solution to export, and then click on Export. You can choose to export it as managed or unmanaged.
What is the difference between exporting a managed and an unmanaged solution?
Exporting as a managed solution means that the solution cannot be modified where it is imported, while an unmanaged solution can be customized after import in the target environment.
What is required to import a solution?
In order to import a solution, you need the Solution Manager role or the System Administrator Security role in the target environment.
What is the Import Wizard?
The Import Wizard is a tool in Power Platform that guides you through the steps to import solutions in either .zip or .cab format.
What happens if you try to import a solution with components that already exist in the target environment?
If you try to import a solution with components that already exist in the target environment, the existing components are updated if the version of the imported solution is newer.
What is included in the exported solution package?
The exported solution package includes the solution.xml file which contains the details of the solution and a customizations.xml file which contains the customizations and configurations of the solution.
What should you do if there’s a failure during the import process?
If there’s a failure during the import process, you can download a log file to determine what caused the failure and then fix the issues before attempting import again.
Can binary files be included in Dataverse solutions?
Yes, binary files such as images and documents can be included in the Dataverse solutions by adding them as web resources.
How can you specify the settings for a managed property while exporting a solution?
During the export process, you can specify settings for managed properties in the Define Package Settings dialog box. Some of these settings might include whether customization and deletion are allowed when imported to a target environment.
How to check if a solution has been imported successfully?
After you import a solution, you can check the status of the import in the All Solutions view by looking at the Status of the imported solution.
What is the order for importing solutions with dependencies?
If your solution has dependencies on other solutions, you should import the solutions it depends on first, then import the dependent solution.
What are solution patches in context of Dataverse solutions?
Solution patches are a type of solution used to distribute updates or fixes to a solution without exporting and importing the entire solution.
Can we delete a component from a managed solution after being imported?
No, deleting a component from a managed solution is not allowed once imported. This restriction helps ensure the solution developer’s design is enforced.
What is the maximum size of the solution file that can be imported?
The maximum file size of a solution that can be imported is 500 MB. Larger solutions must be split into multiple smaller solutions.
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