Connect to Dynamics 365 Data from Blazor Apps

Blazor is a framework for developing modern, client-side web UIs using .NET technology. Instead of coding in JavaScript, developers can use the familiar C# language and .NET libraries to build app UIs.

The CData ADO.NET Provider for Dynamics 365 can be used with standard ADO.NET interfaces, such as LINQ and Entity Framework, to interact with live Dynamics 365 data. Since Blazor supports .NET Core, developers can use CData ADO.NET Providers in Blazor apps. In this article, we will guide you to build a simple Blazor app that talks to Dynamics 365 using standard SQL queries.

Getting Started

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Install the CData ADO.NET Provider for Dynamics 365

CData ADO.NET Providers allow users to access Dynamics 365 just like they would access SQL Server, using simple SQL queries.

Install the Dynamics 365 ADO.NET Data Provider from the CData website or from NuGet. Search NuGet for "Dynamics 365 ADO.NET Data Provider."

Create a Dynamics 365-Connected Blazor App

Start by creating a Blazor project that references the CData ADO.NET Provider for Dynamics 365

1. Create a Blazor project on Visual Studio.

2. From the Solution Explorer, right click Dependencies, then click Add Project Reference.
3. In the Reference Manager, click the Browse button, and choose the .dll file of the installed ADO.NET Provider (e.g. System.Data.CData.Dynamics365.dll, typically located at C:\Program Files\CData\CData ADO.NET Provider for Dynamics 365\lib etstandard2.0).

SELECT Dynamics 365 Data from the Blazor App

1. Open the Index.razor file from the Project page.
2. In a Dynamics365Connection object, set the connection string:

   Edition and OrganizationUrl are required connection properties. The Dynamics 365 connector supports connecting to the following editions: CustomerService, FieldService, FinOpsOnline, FinOpsOnPremise, HumanResources, Marketing, ProjectOperations and Sales.

   For Dynamics 365 Business Central, use the separate Dynamics 365 Business Central driver.

   OrganizationUrl is the URL to your Dynamics 365 organization. For instance, https://orgcb42e1d0.crm.dynamics.com

   For example: OrganizationUrl=https://myaccount.operations.dynamics.com/;Edition=Sales;

3. The code below creates a simple Blazor app for displaying Dynamics 365 data, using standard SQL to query Dynamics 365 just like SQL Server.

         @page "/"
         @using System.Data;
         @using System.Data.CData.Dynamics365;
         
         <h1>Hello, world!</h1>
         
         Welcome to your Data app.
         
         <div class="row">
             <div class="col-12">
         
                 @using (Dynamics365Connection connection = new Dynamics365Connection(
                   "OrganizationUrl=https://myaccount.operations.dynamics.com/;Edition=Sales;"))
                 {
                     var sql = "SELECT GoalHeadingId, Name FROM GoalHeadings WHERE Name = 'MyAccount'";
                     var results = new DataTable();
         
                     Dynamics365DataAdapter dataAdapter = new Dynamics365DataAdapter(sql, connection);
                     dataAdapter.Fill(results);
         
                     <table class="table table-bordered">
                         <thead class="thead-light">
                             <tr>
                                 @foreach (DataColumn item in results.Rows[0].Table.Columns)
                                 {
                                     <th scope="col">@item.ColumnName</th>
                                 }
                             </tr>
                         </thead>
                         <tbody>
                             @foreach (DataRow row in results.Rows)
                             {
                                 <tr>
                                     @foreach (var column in row.ItemArray)
                                     {
                                         <td>@column.ToString()</td>
                                     }
                                 </tr>
                             }
                         </tbody>
                     </table>
                 }
             </div>
         </div>
       

4. Rebuild and run the project. The ADO.NET Provider renders Dynamics 365 data as an HTML table in the Blazor app.

   At this point, you have a Dynamics 365-connected Blazor app, capable of working with live Dynamics 365 data just like you would work with a SQL Server instance. Download a free, 30-day trial and start working with live Dynamics 365 data in your Blazor apps today.