Microsoft Dataverse, formerly known as Common Data Service, is a distinctive component of the Microsoft Power Platform, providing a secure and cloud-based storage facility for data. It allows users to create, manage, and analyze richly typed structured data within the environment. Dataverse holds data within a collection of tables, which are composed of columns and can be linked to one another through relationships. Understanding these elements is critical for the PL-900 Microsoft Power Platform Fundamentals exam.
Tables in Microsoft Dataverse
The primary component for managing data in Microsoft Dataverse are the tables. Tables house data and act as the basic building blocks. They provide the structure required to segment different types of data into discernible categories.
There are two types of tables:
- Standard Tables: These are predefined by Microsoft and are included by default in Microsoft Dataverse. Examples include Accounts, Contacts, and Users.
- Custom Tables: These are user-defined tables, which are designed based on the specific data storage needs of an organization.
Each table has a set of standard columns, system columns, and can have custom columns. Also, every table has metadata that defines its behavior and properties.
Columns in Microsoft Dataverse
In the Microsoft Dataverse, columns hold the category of data stored within a table. Columns are made of two key components:
- Data Type: This describes what type of data the column can hold. The options range from integers, decimals, text, date and time, currency, and many more.
- Properties: Properties define the behavior of the column, such as whether it is mandatory, read-only, its length, default value, etc.
Like tables, there are two kinds of columns:
- Standard Columns: These are built into Microsoft Dataverse and cannot be deleted or changed.
- Custom Columns: As the name suggests, these columns are created by users as per their exact requirements and can be added, updated, or deleted easily.
Relationships in Microsoft Dataverse
Relationships in Dataverse link separate tables together and provide a way to view, update, and analyze related data from multiple tables at once. There are three types of relationships in Microsoft Dataverse:
- One-to-many relationship (1:N): This form of relationship associates a single record from one table to multiple records from another table. For instance, one Account (from the Accounts table) might have many related Contacts (in the Contacts table).
- Many-to-one relationship (N:1): This is the inverse of the 1:N relationship. It associates multiple records from one table to a single record in another table.
- Many-to-many relationship (N:N): In this type of relationship, multiple records from one table can be related to multiple other records in another table. For example, multiple Contacts might be linked to multiple Accounts.
Data modeling using tables, columns, and relationships in Microsoft Dataverse is an integral part to master for the PL-900 Microsoft Power Platform Fundamentals exam. It’s essential to comprehend these concepts to effectively employ Microsoft Dataverse and subsequently build efficient data-driven applications on Microsoft’s Power Platform.
Practice Test
True/False: In Microsoft Dataverse, a table is a collection of entities.
- True
- False
Answer: False.
Explanation: In Microsoft Dataverse, a table is not a collection of entities, but rather, an entity is considered equivalent to a table.
Single select: What is the term used for categorizing data in rows in Microsoft Dataverse?
- a) Relationships
- b) Records
- c) Columns
- d) Tables
Answer: b) Records.
Explanation: In Microsoft Dataverse, each row, which represents an item or an instance of data, is known as a record.
Multiple select: Each column in a Microsoft Dataverse table stores:
- a) Records
- b) Attributes
- c) Data about a particular entity
- d) One type of data only
Answer: b) Attributes, c) Data about a particular entity, d) One type of data only.
Explanation: Each column in a Dataverse table stores an attribute or data about a particular entity. Additionally, a column typically contains only one type of data (like text, number, or date).
True/False: Microsoft Dataverse allows you to establish relationships between two tables.
- True
- False
Answer: True.
Explanation: Microsoft Dataverse enables you to define relationships between two tables. This can help in making queries and data analysis.
Single select: Which type of relationship in Microsoft Dataverse creates a parental association between two tables?
- a) One-to-Many
- b) Many-to-Many
- c) Many-to-One
- d) One-to-One
Answer: a) One-to-Many.
Explanation: The One-to-Many relationship in Microsoft Dataverse creates a parental association between two tables, where one record in Table A can be associated with many records in Table B.
True/False: Microsoft Dataverse allows for bidirectional relationships.
- True
- False
Answer: True.
Explanation: Microsoft Dataverse supports bidirectional relationships, meaning records can be associated in both directions between two tables.
Single select: Which of these is a type of relationship between two tables in Microsoft Dataverse?
- a) One-to-All
- b) All-to-One
- c) Many-to-Many
- d) None of the above
Answer: c) Many-to-Many.
Explanation: Many-to-Many is a type of relationship in Microsoft Dataverse where many records in one table can be associated with many records in another table.
True/False: In Microsoft Dataverse, an attribute is equivalent to a column.
- True
- False
Answer: True.
Explanation: In Microsoft Dataverse, a column is also known as an attribute. Each column or attribute in a table describes a piece of data stored against a record in that table.
Single select: What is the maximum number of columns that a table can have in Microsoft Dataverse?
- a) 1000
- b) 2000
- c) 3000
- d) 4000
Answer: c)
Explanation: In Microsoft Dataverse, a table can have up to 3000 columns.
True/False: Filters cannot be applied to Dataverse tables.
- True
- False
Answer: False.
Explanation: Filters can be applied to Dataverse tables. This allows users to display only those records that meet certain criteria, aiding in efficient data exploration and analysis.
Single select: What is the maximum number of characters that a Text column in Microsoft Dataverse can hold?
- a) 2000
- b) 4000
- c) 8000
- d) 10000
Answer: b)
Explanation: A Text column in Microsoft Dataverse can hold up to 4000 characters.
True/False: Microsoft Dataverse does not support relationships between tables and columns.
- True
- False
Answer: False.
Explanation: Microsoft Dataverse supports relationships not just between tables, but between columns in those tables as well.
Multiple select: In Microsoft Dataverse, which of the following column types can be a primary key?
- a) Text
- b) Number
- c) Email
- d) URL
Answer: a) Text, b) Number.
Explanation: In Microsoft Dataverse, only Text and Number column types can be a primary key.
True/False: Microsoft Dataverse primary name column is used to uniquely identify each record in a table.
- True
- False
Answer: True.
Explanation: The primary name column is used to provide a human-readable unique identifier for each record in a table in Microsoft Dataverse.
Single select: What column type in Microsoft Dataverse can be used to track changes in a record’s value over time?
- a) Timestamp
- b) Decimal number
- c) Whole number
- d) Date and Time
Answer: a) Timestamp.
Explanation: The Timestamp column type in Microsoft Dataverse can be used to record instances of time and track changes in a record’s value over time.
Interview Questions
What is Microsoft Dataverse?
Microsoft Dataverse is a low-code data platform provided by Microsoft Power Apps that allows for storage and management of business data.
What are tables in Microsoft Dataverse?
Tables in Microsoft Dataverse store data. They consist of columns and rows where individual data items are stored.
How would you describe columns in Microsoft Dataverse?
Columns in Microsoft Dataverse define the type of data stored in a table, like name, Whole number, decimal number, text, etc. Each row within a table contains data for these columns.
Can you elaborate on the function of relationships in Microsoft Dataverse?
Relationships in Microsoft Dataverse define how data in different tables are related or connected to each other. These can be one-to-many, many-to-one, or many-to-many.
How can you create a new table in Microsoft Dataverse?
You can create a new table in Microsoft Dataverse from the ‘Tables’ section in the Power Apps portal by clicking on ‘New table’.
How is data stored in Microsoft Dataverse?
Data in Microsoft Dataverse is stored in rows within tables, with each row containing data for the columns defined in that table.
What is a choice column in Microsoft Dataverse?
A choice column in Microsoft Dataverse is used to restrict input to a set of defined values. It is similar to a drop-down list.
What are the basic components of a table on Microsoft Dataverse?
The basic components of a table on Microsoft Dataverse are columns (which define the type of data to be stored) and rows (that store the actual data).
Can you define One-to-Many relationships in Microsoft Dataverse?
One-to-Many relationships in Microsoft Dataverse define a correlation where a record in one table can be associated with multiple records in another table.
What is the function of the lookup column in Microsoft Dataverse?
In Microsoft Dataverse, a lookup column is used to create a relationship where a record has a reference to a single record from another table. Hence, it establishes a link between the two tables.
How can you define a new relationship in Microsoft Dataverse?
You can define a new relationship in Microsoft Dataverse by selecting ‘Relationships’ in the table, then clicking on ‘Add relationship’.
In Microsoft Dataverse, can a table have multiple relationships with other tables?
Yes, a table in Microsoft Dataverse can have multiple relationships with other tables.
How can you rename a table in Microsoft Dataverse?
You can rename a table in Microsoft Dataverse by navigating to the ‘Tables’ option, selecting the table you wish to rename, and then editing the ‘Display name’ field.
How can you delete a table in Microsoft Dataverse?
You can delete a table in Microsoft Dataverse by selecting the table in the ‘Tables’ option and clicking on ‘Delete’.
What happens to the relationships of a table when it is deleted in Microsoft Dataverse?
When a table is deleted in Microsoft Dataverse, any relationships that the table has with other tables will also be deleted.
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