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Customer experience | Sales, Customer Insights,...
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What is the correct way to access Microsoft Dynamics 365 data on the cloud? SDK vs Web Api

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Posted on by 5

I'm new to the forum, so I'm sorry if this question is in the wrong place. I didn't find a place to properly post a programming question.

I'm .NET Web Developer and new to Microsoft's CRM, so bear with me. I'm trying to find the correct way to connect to Microsoft Dynamics 365 and retrieve some PDF files. I need to know which is the correct way to do so. I have some questions of some topics found Googling around that don't make sense to me.

**Accessing through the SDK**

I have found this Microsoft documentation which explains the SDK. However there is a NOTE that says that this has changed with the 2016 update, and Googling more around, it seems to be that the SDK it's not used anymore. I am wrong?

**Accessing data using Web API**

There's yet another documentation that tries to explain the way to connect through a Web Api. However from the start, it says: "This section contains reference documentation of the types, functions, and actions that constitute the Web API for Microsoft Dataverse and Dynamics 365 Customer Engagement **(on-premises)**.

That "On-Premises" comment bothers me. I don't want to learn something that doesn't work for me. Why the web api seems to work only on premise? Why not Dynamics in the cloud?

And for what you can see, I'm utterly confused as to how in the world I can access data to retrieve a file programmatically through C# code from Microsoft Dynamics 365 cloud based.

Please, if you can point me in the right direction, I will really appreciate it.

Thank you!

  • Suggested answer
    Kenneth Ariel Chaves Herrera Profile Picture
    on at
    RE: What is the correct way to access Microsoft Dynamics 365 data on the cloud? SDK vs Web Api

    Hi SamyCode, I hope you are doing good.

    With SDK you will obtain more facility to develop but with Web API you will have more flexibility to develop. The best option depends on what you are looking for.

    Welcome to this amazing community.

  • Suggested answer
    meelamri Profile Picture
    13,216 User Group Leader on at
    RE: What is the correct way to access Microsoft Dynamics 365 data on the cloud? SDK vs Web Api

    Hi Sam and welcome to our community!

    Both approaches will work smoothly on the Cloud...As a .NET developer, I believe that you can easily develop your integrations using the c# SDK.

    I don't see any problem with that not working. The documentation you shared is old, and it refers to the 2016 version of CRM (V8). The current version that is deployed on the cloud is the version (V9.2)

  • Suggested answer
    meelamri Profile Picture
    13,216 User Group Leader on at
    RE: What is the correct way to access Microsoft Dynamics 365 data on the cloud? SDK vs Web Api

    Hi Sam and welcome to our community!

    Both approaches will work smoothly on the Cloud...As a .NET developer, I believe that you can easily develop your integrations using the c# SDK.

    I don't see any problem with that not working. The documentation you shared is old, and it refers to the 2016 version of CRM (V8). The current version that is deployed on the cloud is the version (V9.2)

  • Suggested answer
    meelamri Profile Picture
    13,216 User Group Leader on at
    RE: What is the correct way to access Microsoft Dynamics 365 data on the cloud? SDK vs Web Api

    Hi Sam and welcome to our community !

    Both approaches will work smoothly on the Cloud...As a .NET developer, I believe that you can easily develop your integrations using the c# SDK.

    I don't see any problem with that not working. The documentation you shared is old, and it refers to the 2016 version of CRM (V8). The current version that is deployed on the cloud is the version (V9.2)

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