Customize your Dynamics 365 CRM command bars in a snap
Dynamics 365 CRM is a fantastic system out of the box, but it really shines in its customizability. Even some of the most complex business process requirements can be met through customizations available within CRM. Recently, Microsoft has implemented an improved functionality for customizing the command bar to the Power Apps designer for CRM apps.
Let’s check it out.
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What is the command bar?
In CRM, the command bar is the strip at the top of page that contains a bunch of different functions for the page. It exists in a few different variants: Main grid, Main form, Subgrid view, and Associated view. The Main grid, pictured below, is seen when viewing a list of records, like Accounts. The Main form command bar shows up when viewing a specific record and exists in the same location as the Main grid command bar. Though it is in the same space, the Main form command bar morphs to include different commands because of the varied data on specific records as opposed to the list of records.
The Main grid command bar is seen when viewing a list of records, like Accounts.
A Subgrid view is when data from a different table is rendered on a record. In the example pictured below, an Account record is being viewed and there is a subgrid pulling from the contact table to populate information on the primary contact record for the account. The options menu on this subgrid is the Subgrid view command bar.
A Subgrid command bar. Image courtesy of Microsoft.
An Associated view command bar is displayed when using the Related drop-down menu on a record to view a list of records in a different table from the main record being viewed.
The Associated view command bar.
In terms of functions available on the command bar, the simple Command buttons execute an action upon being clicked (ex: clicking the Save button will proceed to save the record). A dropdown creates a list of commands in a menu that pops open after the button is clicked. We can also use a Group button to create a labeled group of similar commands. Last, a Split button is like a regular command button, but in addition to the primary function, it will have a dropdown menu that can be used as an alternate. A good example of a split would be the Excel Export options on a view.
Editing the Command Bar
In order to get started editing the command bar, sign in to make.powerapps.com and click on the Apps option from the left navigation. When it comes to customizing the system, it’s best practice to test it out in a sandbox environment before moving it into production. To change your environment, use the environment picker in the top right corner. Once in the proper environment, find the Model-driven app with the command bars you’d like to edit. Click the ellipsis button and select edit from the menu.
Once in the Power Apps Designer, open the Pages menu from the left navigation and find the record table for which you’d like to edit the command bar. Then select the ellipsis button and Edit command bar.
You will be prompted to select which type of command bar you’d like to edit. After selecting it, the command bar designer will populate.
On the designer, we can add and remove buttons as needed, make edits to commands on the bar, and create new buttons. When creating a new button there are two options prompted for a component: Power Fx and JavaScript. JavaScript is the classic method of setting up button functionality, but is less accessible for those without experience in JS. Power Fx is a new feature that has been added for setting up commands to give a lower code option for development. It requires a bit of basic command writing but has a much lower learning curve than JavaScript. You can find more details on the commands and setting them up here.
Making customizations to the command bar can provide your team with quick access to common functions that they need to run. Feel free to poke around in a sandbox environment with some of the functions available. If you’d like more information about CRM and its customizability, or if Syvantis is your Partner and you’d like us to help you customize your command bars, get in touch to speak with one of our consultants!