Perform operations with the Dataverse Web API

The Dataverse Web API provides a robust set of capabilities for interacting and performing operations with your Dataverse. The Dataverse Web API is a RESTful web service that uses the Open Data Protocol (OData) v4 for data transfer and the JavaScript Object Notation (JSON) standard for representing objects. This interface is suitable for any full-stack developer aiming to pass the PL-400 Microsoft Power Platform Developer exam, as it covers a critical piece of the platform’s functionality.

Key Features of the Dataverse Web API

• Standardized Protocol: Dataverse Web API uses the Open Data Protocol (OData) v4, an open standard for building and consuming RESTful APIs.
• Secure: All interactions performed are secured using the standard Azure Active Directory authentication.
• Rich Metadata: Supplies detailed metadata, facilitating the automatic generation of client libraries.
• Handling of Complex Operations: Can perform complex operations like transactional batch operations and functions or actions with complex parameters.

Using HTTP Methods with the Dataverse Web API

Below are the HTTP methods you can use with the Dataverse Web API.

Working with the Dataverse Web API

Read Data

You can retrieve data by making GET request to the Dataverse Web API. This is usually coupled with the “$select” query option to specify which attributes to return.

Below is an example code snippet in JavaScript for making a GET request.

<code>
const { Xrm } = require(‘xrm’);
let req = new XMLHttpRequest();
req.open(“GET”, Xrm.Page.context.getClientUrl() + “/api/data/v9.0/accounts?$select=name,revenue”, true);
req.setRequestHeader(“Accept”, “application/json”);
req.setRequestHeader(“Content-Type”, “application/json; charset=utf-8”);
req.send();
</code>

This request will return the name and revenue for all accounts.

Create New Record

You can create new entity records by making a POST request to the Dataverse Web API.

Below is an example of how to make a POST request to create a new account.

<code>
let account = {};
account[“name”] = “Example Account”;
account[“creditonhold”] = false;

var req = new XMLHttpRequest();
req.open(“POST”, “https://<your environment>.crm.dynamics.com/api/data/v9.0/accounts”, true);
req.setRequestHeader(“Accept”, “application/json”);
req.setRequestHeader(“Content-Type”, “application/json; charset=utf-8”);
req.send(JSON.stringify(account));
</code>

This code creates an account named “Example Account” where the credit is not on hold.

Update Record

The PATCH method is used to update record data. In contrast to POST, PATCH only modifies the specified attributes.

Here is an example code snippet to update an account:

<code>
let account = {};
account[“creditonhold”] = true;

var req = new XMLHttpRequest();
req.open(“PATCH”, “https://<your environment>.crm.dynamics.com/api/data/v9.0/accounts(00000000-0000-0000-0000-000000000001)”, true);
req.setRequestHeader(“Accept”, “application/json”);
req.setRequestHeader(“Content-Type”, “application/json; charset=utf-8”);
req.send(JSON.stringify(account));
</code>

This code sets the “creditonhold” attribute to true for the specified account.

Delete Record

To delete a record, you use the DELETE method. Below is an example to delete an account:

<code>
var req = new XMLHttpRequest();
req.open(“DELETE”, “https://<your environment>.crm.dynamics.com/api/data/v9.0/accounts(00000000-0000-0000-0000-000000000001)”, true);
req.send();
</code>

This code deletes the specified account record.

In the Microsoft Power Platform Developer (PL-400) exam, knowledge of interacting with data using the Dataverse Web API is crucial. Understanding these operations will certainly boost your confidence and performance in the exam. Remember, effective usage of Dataverse Web API enables you to master data manipulation within Power Platform applications. Therefore, keep practicing these API consumption techniques as much as you can.

Practice Test

True or False: The Dataverse Web API allows developers to perform operations such as create, read, update, and delete on the data saved in Dataverse.

• Answer: True

Explanation: The Dataverse Web API indeed enables operations such as create, read, update, and delete (also known as CRUD operations) on the data saved in Dataverse.

What is the purpose of the Dataverse Web API?

• a) To perform operations with the local server
• b) To perform operations with the Oracle database
• c) To use trade execution data in real-time
• d) To perform operations with a Microsoft Dataverse environment.

Answer: d) To perform operations with a Microsoft Dataverse environment.

Explanation: The Dataverse Web API allows developers to perform operations (CRUD) with data in the Microsoft Dataverse environment.

True or False: Dataverse Web API uses a standard OData Restful interface.

• Answer: True

Explanation: The Dataverse Web API uses a standard OData v4 RESTful interface.

The Dataverse Web API provides access to resources of which Project?

• a) Open Database Connectivity
• b) Microsoft Dataverse Project
• c) Open Data Protocol
• d) Both b) and c)

Answer: d) Both b) and c)

Explanation: The Dataverse Web API provides access to resources in a Microsoft Dataverse environment through the Open Data Protocol(OData).

True or False: You can use Dataverse Web API with JavaScript and C# but not with Java.

• Answer: False

Explanation: Dataverse Web API can be used with any language that can send HTTP requests.

Which of the following supports the creation of Multiple Uris in a single HTTP request?

• a) Batch operation
• b) The Unbound function
• c) The Compose function
• d) WEB API queries

Answer: a) Batch operation

Explanation: Batch operation in Dataverse Web API supports passing multiple URIs in a single HTTP request.

True or False: The Dataverse Web API automatically handles cross-origin resource sharing (CORS) requests.

• Answer: False

Explanation: The Dataverse Web API does not automatically handle CORS requests. Handling CORS is typically a requirement for browser-based web applications.

Which Metadata Document describes the resources available in the Dataverse Web API?

• a) File Metadata
• b) $metadata
• c) Table Metadata
• d) None of the Above

Answer: b) $metadata

Explanation: The $metadata service document describes the data model, resources, and schema representation that are available via the Dataverse Web API.

True or False: The Dataverse Web API allows clients to track changes to data.

• Answer: True

Explanation: Tracking changes over time, or change tracking, is a feature provided by the Dataverse web API that allows you to keep your data synchronized with the data in Dataverse.

Which type of operations cannot be performed on the Dataverse Web API?

• a) Create
• b) Read
• c) Update
• d) None of the Above

Answer: d) None of the Above

Explanation: The Dataverse Web API allows all standard CRUD operations (create, read, update, delete).

Interview Questions

What is Dataverse in the Microsoft Power Platform?

Dataverse is a data platform provided by Microsoft Power Platform that allows users to securely store and manage data used by business applications.

What is the purpose of the Dataverse Web API?

The Dataverse Web API provides a development experience that can be used across a wide variety of programming languages, platforms, and devices. It’s a RESTful web service that enables you to interact with data in Microsoft Power Platform using the concepts of users, metadata, entities, attributes, relationships, and more.

Is the Dataverse Web API RESTful?

Yes, the Dataverse Web API is a RESTful web service. It uses standard HTTP methods like GET, POST, PUT, DELETE, PATCH for data access and manipulation.

How is data returned from the Dataverse Web API?

Data is returned in JSON format from the Dataverse Web API. Thus, it can be processed by a wide variety of internet-enabled devices, including those with limited resources.

How is authentication handled in the Dataverse Web API?

The Dataverse Web API uses OAuth 2.0 for authentication and authorization.

Can the Dataverse Web API be used from a web browser?

Yes, the Web API includes Cross Origin Resource Sharing (CORS) support, allowing it to be directly used from a web browser from JavaScript code.

Can you extend the Dataverse Web API?

Yes, using the Plug-in framework, developers can extend the functionality of the Web API. This can include custom services or custom API logic adjustment.

What types of data can be accessed via the Dataverse Web API?

The Dataverse Web API can access any data in your Dataverse environment, as well as metadata.

What are some operations that can be performed using Dataverse Web API?

Some of the operations that can be performed using the Dataverse Web API include CRUD operations (create, retrieve, update, delete), associating and disassociating entities, and executing predefined queries.

What is an example of a HTTP method used in the Dataverse Web API and its purpose?

The GET method is used in the Dataverse Web API to retrieve data.

Do you need specific permissions to use the Dataverse Web API?

Yes, users need specific permissions to perform operations in the API. The specific security role and permissions required depends on the operation being performed.

How is error handling managed in the Dataverse Web API?

In case of errors during a request, the API returns a standard HTTP status code along with a detailed error message in the response body.

Can the Web API be used for batch processing in the Dataverse?

Yes, Batch processing in the Web API allows you to group multiple requests together, reducing round-trip latency and improving application performance.

Where can you find the service root URL for the Dataverse Web API?

It can be found in the Power Apps admin center, on the environment details page.

How can you make a simple retrieve request in the Dataverse Web API?

A simple retrieve request can be made by just appending the plural form of the entity name (for example, “accounts”) to the service root URL in a GET request.