Adding ID (the GUID) value to a view/form

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Posted on by MyAmazingD365Name

I received a request from a customer today that they'd like add the actual ID field to a view (the GUID) for contact. I am still awaiting why they want this in the view....

I thought originally I'd be able to do this with a calculated field but when I try to set it to "<myentity>.contactid" I get an error saying that it can't put a uniqueidentifier into a string field and it doesn't seem like there's a "toString" function that I can use there, unless I'm just unaware of the syntax I need.

I know I could do this with a plugin but is it possible do with a calculated field (or maybe a flow)?

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Wahaj Rashid 11,323 on at

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Hi,

Thank you for your query.

Calculated fields have a limited set of functions available and do not have type conversion functions:

Define calculated fields | Microsoft Docs

Depending on the needs:

You can create a flow to populate id (GUID) in another field. But this will run asynchrooulsy.

In my opinion, the plugin is a better approach. Just write a simple plugin, which triggers on create and sets the GUID to another field.

Here is another approach with calculate fields, but it is a bit risky:

How to Derive and Expose a Record GUID on Your Forms using OOB Functionality | PowerObjects

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MyAmazingD365Name 25 on at

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Thanks. The workflow would work since it doesn't really have to be real-time. They apparently just need it when they export it to Excel here and there for some other vendor to be able to import it into their system with the ID included. The link you sent won't work because it's not the GUID of the record I'm on that they need but the GUID of a lookup on the form. But interesting nonetheless.

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Wahaj Rashid 11,323 on at

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Hi,

You are welcome.

By the way, when we export data to excel, there are 3 hidden columns in the file (A, B, C).

The first one (A), holds the GUID of the primary record.

To make it easier for others, please mark my answer as verified if it is helpful (select 'Yes' under 'Did this answer your question').

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MyAmazingD365Name 25 on at

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Yes, I'm aware of that but since that's the GUID for the record it doesn't help me as I need the GUID for another field on the form. I actually think if I set up an Advanced find from Contact rather than the child entity I might be able to pull what I need (and as you said, I'd then have the GUID in that hidden column A).

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