D365 v9.x: Step by Step Guide on how to create a simple console application for Dynamics 365.

Introduction

In this blog, we will see how to create a simple console application which will connect to dynamics 365.

Prerequisite

1. Dynamics 365 account with Administrator role
   Click here to know how to create trial for D365 account.

Description

As per the Microsoft documentation, we should always use Xrm tooling/Web API library when connection to Dynamics 365 from an external application. The external application can be Console app or Web App hosted outside D365.

I will also share the blog on how to connect D365 using Web API but for now, let’s focus on how to create a first/simple console application using Xrm tooling.

Steps

1. Open a visual studio and create a new project

2. Add Dynamics 365 referances using NuGet package manager

Type ‘D365 Xrm Tooling‘ in the search box. Make sure you select a correct library as ‘Microsoft.CrmSdk.XrmTooling.CoreAssembly‘

Add connection string in App.config file. Please update URL, Username and Password in the connection string.

    <connectionStrings>  
    <!-- Online using Office 365 -->  
     <add name="D365ConnectionString"  
       connectionString="Url=https://dreamlandhome.crm.dynamics.com; Username=admin@dreamlandhome.onmicrosoft.com; Password=Pass@123; authtype=Office365"/>   
  </connectionStrings>  

Right click on References and Click on “Add Reference“

Please find code on GitHub

using Microsoft.Xrm.Tooling.Connector;
using System;
using System.Configuration;

namespace D365SimpleConsoleApp
{
    class Program
    {
        private static CrmServiceClient _crmServiceClient;
        static void Main(string[] args)
        {

            using (_crmServiceClient = new CrmServiceClient(ConfigurationManager.ConnectionStrings["D365ConnectionString"].ConnectionString))
            {
                if (_crmServiceClient.IsReady)
                {
                    Console.WriteLine("Authenticated To D365.");

                }
                else
                {
                    Console.WriteLine("Authentication Failed.");
                    throw _crmServiceClient.LastCrmException;
                }
            }
        }
    }
}

Cheers We have successfully created a console app for Dynamics 365.