How to Set Data to an Entity with Various Data Types Using a C# Plugin in Dynamics 365

Introduction

Microsoft Dynamics 365 provides a powerful platform for managing business data through entities. In this blog post, we will create a custom entity using a C# plugin and assign various data types, including:

• String

• Integer

• DateTime

• Boolean

• Decimal

• OptionSet (Single and Two OptionSet)

• MultiSelect OptionSet

• Lookup

This guide is helpful for Dynamics 365 developers looking to automate entity creation using plugins.

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Breakdown of Data Types Used

String

•   customEntity["custom_name"] = "Sample Name";
  

Integer

•    customEntity["custom_age"] = 25;
  

DateTime

•    customEntity["custom_dateofbirth"] = new DateTime(1998, 5, 15);
  

Boolean (Two OptionSet)

•   customEntity["custom_isactive"] = true;
  

Decimal

•   customEntity["custom_salary"] = new decimal(50000.75);
  

OptionSet (Single Choice)

•   customEntity["custom_status"] = new OptionSetValue(1); // 1 = Active, 2 = Inactive
  

MultiSelect OptionSet

•   customEntity["custom_preferences"] = new OptionSetValueCollection
    {
        new OptionSetValue(101), // Email
        new OptionSetValue(102)  // SMS
    };
  

Lookup (Entity Reference)

•   customEntity["custom_accountid"] = new EntityReference("account", new Guid("C3B5D1F5-4F7B-4C6A-9F01-5A347E25C849"));
  

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Implementing in Plugin logic

using System;
using Microsoft.Xrm.Sdk;

public class CreateCustomEntityPlugin : IPlugin
{
    public void Execute(IServiceProvider serviceProvider)
    {
        ITracingService tracingService = (ITracingService)serviceProvider.GetService(typeof(ITracingService));
        IPluginExecutionContext context = (IPluginExecutionContext)serviceProvider.GetService(typeof(IPluginExecutionContext));
        IOrganizationServiceFactory serviceFactory = (IOrganizationServiceFactory)serviceProvider.GetService(typeof(IOrganizationServiceFactory));
        IOrganizationService service = serviceFactory.CreateOrganizationService(context.UserId);

        try
        {
            // Create an entity record
            Entity customEntity = new Entity("custom_entity");

            // Assign different data types
            customEntity["custom_name"] = "Sample Name"; // String
            customEntity["custom_age"] = 25; // Integer
            customEntity["custom_dateofbirth"] = new DateTime(1998, 5, 15); // DateTime
            customEntity["custom_isactive"] = true; // Boolean
            customEntity["custom_salary"] = new decimal(50000.75); // Decimal
            customEntity["custom_status"] = new OptionSetValue(1); // Two Optionset or Optionset

            // MultiSelect OptionSet (Multiple Choices)
            customEntity["custom_preferences"] = new OptionSetValueCollection
            {
                new OptionSetValue(101), // Email
                new OptionSetValue(102)  // SMS
            };

            // Lookup
            customEntity["custom_accountid"] = new EntityReference("account", new Guid("C3B5D1F5-4F7B-4C6A-9F01-5A347E25C849"));


            // Create the record in CRM
            service.Create(customEntity);
        }
        catch (Exception ex)
        {
            tracingService.Trace("CreateCustomEntityPlugin Error: {0}", ex.ToString());
            throw new InvalidPluginExecutionException("An error occurred in the plugin.", ex);
        }
    }
}