Retrieve Dynamic 365 Entities and show in a dropdown

[IrfanMukhtiar]

Hi, I need help, 

Is there any method to develop a code component to be used in model driven apps that will collect all D365 entities and show in dropdown. 

Recently I have completed a code component that show current entity fields in dropdown. 

[DianaBirkelbach · Accepted solution]

Hi @IrfanMukhtiar , 

You can use the same way you've used for the fields. The only difference is how you retrieve the metadata for all entity names.

You could use the webAPI "EntityDefinitions" function.

export class RetrieveEntitiesRequest {
    getMetadata() {
        return {
            boundParameter: null,
            parameterTypes: {},
            operationType: 1, // This is a function. Use '0' for actions and '2' for CRUD
            operationName: "EntityDefinitions",
        };
    }
}

 and use it similar to this

const retrieveRequest = new RetrieveEntitiesRequest();  
webApi.execute(retrieveRequest).then(entityResponseParser)

Hope this helps!

[IrfanMukhtiar]

Hi @DianaBirkelbach 

Thanks for responding, It helps me a lot to understand how to proceed further, but I have a query and would like to ask from you. 

I have followed PCF code component documentation and as per it we can use only 5 methods by using "webAPI", along with context but execute is not part of that mentioned methods. Snip is attached. 

Are you suggesting me to use XRM over context? 

I am looking forward for your kind reply. 

Thanks

Irfan Mukhtiar

[cchannon · Accepted solution]

the execute() function is there in PCF context. It isn't documented yet (so technically not supported) but is already pretty widely in use. So, to an extent it is "use at your own risk" but I have to believe that MSFT will inevitably make it a formal, documented part of the webapi object.

You just need to cast as any so you can use it in typescript, so something like this: 

(context.webAPI as any).execute(myRequest);

[DianaBirkelbach · Accepted solution]

Hi @IrfanMukhtiar , 

I totally agree with @cchannon .

I would add, that the "Xrm" object is not supported inside a PCF; this is specified in the docs: Power Apps component framework API reference - Power Apps | Microsoft Docs.

So "execute" seems the a safer way, even if not supported for now.

Hope this helps!

[skoofy5 · Accepted solution]

If I'm understanding you correctly then it's also a pretty straightforward xhr which I believe is supported.

            const queryUrl = "/api/data/v9.2/EntityDefinitions/?$select=LogicalName,DisplayCollectionName"

   let req = new XMLHttpRequest();
        req.open("GET", queryUrl, true);
        req.setRequestHeader("OData-MaxVersion", "4.0");
        req.setRequestHeader("OData-Version", "4.0");
        req.setRequestHeader("Accept", "application/json");
        req.onreadystatechange = function () {
            if (this.readyState === 4) {
                req.onreadystatechange = null;
                if (this.status === 200 || this.status >= 200 && this.status <= 206) {
                    const results = JSON.parse(this.response);

                }
            }
        };
        req.send();