What Is A Column In Dynamics 365 CRM?

 In This Post we are going to Explain

⨳ What is a Column in Dynamics 365 CRM??

⪼A column in Dynamics 365 CRM is a field within an entity or table that stores specific data for each record. Columns define the structure of data in a table and help capture, store, and retrieve information like text, numbers, dates, or references to other tables.

Features of Columns

1. Data Storage
   Columns store specific types of data (e.g., text, numbers, or dates) for every record in a table. For example, in the Contact table, columns like "First Name" and "Email Address" store personal details.

2. Customization
   Dynamics 365 provides default columns, but users can create custom columns to capture data unique to their business needs.

3. Data Types:

• Single Line of Text
  Stores short text, such as names or titles.
  • Maximum Length: 4,000 characters.
  • Example Use Cases: First Name, Title.

• Option Set
  Displays a dropdown with predefined values. Users can select one value from the list.
  • Example Use Cases: Status, Priority, Category.

• Multi-Select Option Set
  Allows users to select multiple values from a predefined list.
  • Example Use Cases: Skills, Interests, Tags.
  • Use Case: Assigning multiple tags to a record for categorization.

• Two Options (Boolean)
  Stores binary values such as Yes/No or True/False.
  • Example Use Cases: Active/Inactive, Approved/Rejected.

• Whole Number
  Stores integer values with no decimal points.

• Example Use Cases: Employee Count, Age.

• Whole Number (Calculated Field)
  Derives its value based on expressions or calculations using other fields.
  • Example Use Cases: Total Price = Quantity × Unit Price.

• Whole Number (Rollup Field)
  Aggregates data from related records, providing summaries like counts or sums.
  • Example Use Cases: Total Opportunities, Count of Contacts.

• Floating Point Number
  Stores numeric values with decimal precision but not necessarily exact.
  • Precision: Up to 5 decimal places.
  • Example Use Cases: Ratings, Percentages.

• Decimal Number
  Stores precise numeric values with a fixed number of decimal points.
  • Precision: Up to 10 decimal places.
  • Example Use Cases: Price, Exchange Rate.

• Currency
  Stores monetary values, allowing for multi-currency support.
  • Example Use Cases: Order Amount, Revenue.

• Date and Time
  Captures date or date-time values.
  • Behavior Options: User Local, Date Only, Time Zone Independent.
  • Example Use Cases: Order Date, Appointment Time.

• Lookup
  Links records from one table to another, establishing a relationship.
  • Example Use Cases: Contact within an Account, Customer in a Case.

• Customer
  A specialized lookup for either Account or Contact.
  • Example Use Cases: Case Customer, Opportunity Customer.

• Image
  Stores a single image file associated with a record.
  • Example Use Cases: Profile Picture, Product Image.

• Multi-Lines of Text
  Stores extended text, such as descriptions or comments.
  • Maximum Length: 1,048,576 characters.
  • Example Use Cases: Notes, Comments.

• File
  Enables users to upload and store files associated with a record.

• Example Use Cases: Attachments, Contracts.

Rollup Fields are typically seen in Whole Number, Decimal, or Currency data types.

Calculated Fields can be seen in Whole Number, Decimal, Currency, Date and Time, or other data types depending on the calculation.

⨳Steps to Create a Column Using Classic Mode:

1) Log in to Dynamics 365 CRM.

2) In the top-right corner, click on the gear icon 

⟪⚙️⟫ & Select Advanced Settings from the dropdown.

3) In the Advanced Settings area 

4) go to the Customizations Area 
    Select Solution 

5) Click on Solution that we are created (Mintech Services) to open the Solution Explorer

6) In the Solution Explorer window, expand the Entities section in the

 left-hand navigation.

7)Locate and select the Form (table) (formerly called entity) where you want to add the new Field (column) or Create & Open Main Form

8) Click on Fields Under the Selected Table After selecting the table, you will see several options. Click on the Fields option under the selected table

9) Click New to Create a New Column

In the Fields area, click on the New button at the top to create a new column (field)
This will open the field creation form where you can define the properties of the new column

10) Define the Column’s Properties and Publish

⨠ Provide a Display name & logical name for the column.

⨠ Select the appropriate data type (e.g., Text, Whole Number, Option Set etc).

⨠ Set the column's behavior (Required, Optional, or Read-Only).

⨠ Configure additional properties like Default Value or Maximum Length if needed.

⨠ Save the column and click Publish All Customizations to apply the changes.