Step by Step – Create a very simple PowerApps Custom Component to show the GUID of the record

 Below is the quick step by step guide to get started (sort of Hello World example) 

• Install NPM (that comes with Node.js)

https://nodejs.org/en/

• Install Microsoft PowerApps Command Line Interface CLI

http://download.microsoft.com/download/D/B/E/DBE69906-B4DA-471C-8960-092AB955C681/powerapps-cli-0.1.51.msi

• Install Visual Studio 2017 or later or Download .NET Core 2.2 along with Visual Studio Code.
• Create the new folder for the project, and in Developer Command Prompt for VS 2017 navigate to the folder and run the below command to create a new component project

pac pcf init

– -namespace <namespace for the component>

– -name <name of the component>

– -template <component type>

It adds the following files in the folder.

• Next run npm install command to install the project dependencies.

• Open the ControlManifest.Input.xml file created inside the folder created with the control’s name.

• Here we have opened it in Visual Studio Code, for this simple example purpose let us not change the default values.
• Open the index.ts which wherein we’d be writing code for our custom control

• Add the following line of code to add a label control that will display that GUID of the record.

• Run npm run build command to build the control

• To test the control run npm start command

*Use ctrl + c è to terminate the job.

• Create a new folder to hold the solution

• Run the below command to define the publisher name and prefix and initialize the solution files creation

pac solution init – -publisherName [publisher name] – -customizationPrefix [publisher prefix]

• Run the below command to add reference to our custom control in the solution

pac solution add-reference – -path [path to pcfproj file]

i.e. reference of the below path.

• This creates the file with extension cdsproj

• To generate Zip File run the below command in the Developer Command Prompt for Visual Studio 2017
  • MSBUILD /t:restore
    
  • MSBUILD
    

• This adds the Solution zip in the bin Debug folder.

• To get both managed and unmanaged solution, update the cdsproj file

• We can see both managed and unmanaged solution created.

• Import the solution in Dynamics 365 CE and open any of the entity’s form. Here we have created a new text field named GUID in the Contact form and have set our custom control for that field.

For reference à

• After publishing the changes, we can see the GUID being displayed in the form.

• To update the control, change the version for it in the ControlManifest.Input.xml

Followed by

• npm run build
• msbuild
• Importing the new solution file generated

In a nutshell below are the high-level steps à

1. Install npm

2. Install PowerApps CLI

3. Install Visual Studio 2017 or later

4. Create a new folder for the project.

5. Navigate to the folder in Developer Command Prompt and run the following command to create the component project

PAC PCF INIT –NAMESPACE <COMPONENT NAMESPACE> –NAME <COMPONENT NAME> –TEMPLATE <COMPONENT TYPE>

6. Install the project dependencies using below command

NPM -INSTALL

7. Update ControlManifest.Input.xml

8. Update index.ts

9. Build the project

NPM RUN BUILD

10. Use the below command to test the component

NPM START

11. Create a folder for holding the solution zip and related files. Navigate to that folder and run the below command.

PAC SOLUTION INIT – -PUBLISHERNAME [PUBLISHER NAME] – -CUSTOMIZATIONPREFIX [PUBLISHER PREFIX]

12. Add reference of the custom component in the solution

PAC SOLUTION ADD-REFERENCE – -PATH [PATH TO PCFPROJ FILE]

13. To create the Solution Zip File

MSBUILD /T:RESTORE

MSBUILD

14. Import the solution file and use it inside Dynamics 365 CE.