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What is FetchXML in Dynamics 365 CE?
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FetchXML is an XML-based query language used to retrieve data from Microsoft Dataverse and Dynamics 365 Customer Engagement. It supports filtering, sorting, joins, aggregation, grouping, and other query capabilities.
FetchXML is particularly useful in Dynamics 365 reporting, views, advanced queries, integrations, and scenarios where developers need to retrieve related records using Dataverse's query capabilities.
For example, a FetchXML query can retrieve active accounts along with related contacts and apply conditions to restrict the returned records.
Answers
FetchXML is an XML-based query language used to retrieve data from Microsoft Dataverse and Dynamics 365 Customer Engagement. It is especially useful when developers need to query Dataverse data using conditions, joins, aggregation, sorting, grouping, and other query capabilities.
A simplified example is:
This query retrieves active accounts and selected columns.
FetchXML can be used in areas such as:
Advanced Find-style queries
Views
Reports
Dataverse integrations
SDK/API scenarios
Aggregation queries
One important advantage is its ability to express relationships between Dataverse tables through linked entities.
Developers should pay attention to query performance by selecting only required columns, applying appropriate filters, and avoiding unnecessarily complex joins.
FetchXML is particularly valuable when developers need a Dataverse-native query format with capabilities such as joins and aggregation that fit Dynamics 365 business application scenarios.
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