Import Dynamics 365 solution into Dataverse

[Anonymous]

Hello Everyone, 

I was wondering if it is possible to import a Dynamics 365 solution into a dataverse solution.

This Solution has OOB and custom entities and has custom development (plugins),

Is there anyway to perform this? or since they are 2 differente "enviroments" we won't be able to do so?

thank you in advance!

[cchannon]

You can migrate a solution built in a D365 org to Dataverse, yes, but it carries risks, and I wouldn't advise it.

When you build a solution in an org that has a D365 solution, it becomes possible to accidentally create dependencies on that D365 content. If that happens, your solution will fail to import to a plain Dataverse Org because it is missing those D365 solutions.

For example, let's say the D365 app you've installed is CE. You have created a custom entity called "case tracking" and related it to the entity Case. Now you export your solution and go to import it into a Dataverse Org. Will it work? Maybe, but there is a decent chance it won't.

You see, Dataverse includes a base Common Data Schema that includes the Case entity so the simple fact that you created a relationship to Case doesn't break anything and if you added Case but absolutely no subcomponents from the entity, you can indeed import your solution into a normal Dataverse Org. But if you included any subcomponents at all from Case (a lookup field, perhaps? or some of the forms?), it becomes possible for you to accidentally pull in dependencies on customizations that exist only in CE, not in Dataverse. As a general rule, when managing solutions you always want to manage your content at the lowest, least-dependency level you possibly can so that you know you are never creating invalid builds. I would suggest, therefore, that you manage this solution in a normal Dataverse org, then port it to CE for testing.

The latest Dataverse documentation on solution management and planning is actually pretty decent and I suggest you give it a read to learn more about managed/unmanaged solutions and the strategies behind both.

[Fubar · Accepted solution]

@cchannon  not sure why you would not recommend it - solution dependencies etc are a normal scenario when moving environments be that a Dynamics 365 on premise, online or CDS/Dataverse.

@Anonymous 

Dataverse is the renamed CDS which Dynamics 365 Customer Engagement Online (Sales, Service etc but not the Nav/Ax based Dynamics 365) sits on top off.  Yes, it does support custom entities, plugins, workflows etc.  There will be the usual limitations if your Dynamics 365 was on-premise and moving to Online (plugins must be in Sandbox, no SQL in SSRS Reports etc, version pathway e.g. don't expect to import a CRM 2011 solution file into Dataverse).  Also, same managed solution rules - only your updates not the underlying object so any solution references need to already be in Dataverse.   Yes, you may need to install Sales or Service etc depending on what you have in your Solution File, but this is usual dependency type stuff.

What I don't recommend is attempting to import your solution file into the Default environment (some people have attempted this and regretted it later)

[EricRegnier · Accepted solution]

Hi @Anonymous,

Here are answers to your specific questions and my attempt to clarify a little the previous posts as it may create some confusion:

1. I was wondering if it is possible to import a Dynamics 365 solution into a dataverse solution.
   

   Yes, it is possible but chances are it wouldn't work due to D365 dependencies. You'll need to carefully segment your solutions and remove D365 components from you custom tables (e.g. forms related tab). This is what @cchannon was referring to by not recommended it. It might be a difficult task with lots of trial and error.
   
   

2. since they are 2 differente "enviroments" we won't be able to do so?
   Yes, you would still be able even if they 2 different environments. They are same type of environments (just as if you had a dev and prod environment). Like @Fubar explained, D365 is a 1st party app on top of standard Dataverse, so same concept as if you have your custom solution on top of Dataverse. The issue is as of now, you cannot install D365 1st party apps on a vanilla Dataverse environment. You'll need to open a Microsoft Support ticket.

Hope this helps!