Category: Uncategorized

Python + Dataverse Series – #04: Create records in batch using Execute Multiple

Hi Folks,

This is continuation in this Python with Dataverse Series, in this blog post, we will see how can we create multiple records in a single batch using ExecuteMultiple in Python.

Please use the below code for the same…to make any calls using ExecuteMultiple…

import pyodbc
import msal
import requests
import json
import re
import time
# Azure AD details
client_id = '0e1c58b1-3d9a-4618-8889-6c6505288d3c'
client_secret = 'qlU8Q~dmhKFfdL1ph2YsLK9URbhIPn~qWmfr1ceL'
tenant_id = '97ae7e35-2f87-418b-9432-6733950f3d5c'
authority = f'https://login.microsoftonline.com/{tenant_id}'
resource = 'https://ecellorsdev.crm8.dynamics.com'
# SQL endpoint
sql_server = 'ecellorsdev.crm8.dynamics.com'
database = 'ecellorsdev'
# Get token with error handling
try:
print(f"Attempting to authenticate with tenant: {tenant_id}")
print(f"Authority URL: {authority}")
app = msal.ConfidentialClientApplication(client_id, authority=authority, client_credential=client_secret)
print("Acquiring token…")
token_response = app.acquire_token_for_client(scopes=[f'{resource}/.default'])
if 'error' in token_response:
print(f"Token acquisition failed: {token_response['error']}")
print(f"Error description: {token_response.get('error_description', 'No description available')}")
else:
access_token = token_response['access_token']
print("Token acquired successfully and your token is!"+access_token)
print(f"Token length: {len(access_token)} characters")
except ValueError as e:
print(f"Configuration Error: {e}")
except Exception as e:
print(f"Unexpected error: {e}")
#Get 5 contacts from Dataverse using Web API
import requests
import json
try:
#Full CRUD Operations – Create, Read, Update, Delete a contact in Dataverse
print("Making Web API request to perform CRUD operations on contacts…")
# Dataverse Web API endpoint for contacts
web_api_url = f"{resource}/api/data/v9.2/contacts"
# Base headers with authorization token
headers = {
'Authorization': f'Bearer {access_token}',
'OData-MaxVersion': '4.0',
'OData-Version': '4.0',
'Accept': 'application/json',
'Content-Type': 'application/json'
}
# Simple approach: create multiple contacts sequentially
# generate 100 contacts with different last names
contacts_to_create = [
{"firstname": "Ecellors", "lastname": f"Test{str(i).zfill(3)}"}
for i in range(1, 101)
]
create_headers = headers.copy()
create_headers['Prefer'] = 'return=representation'
created_ids = []
print("Creating contacts sequentially…")
for i, body in enumerate(contacts_to_create, start=1):
try:
resp = requests.post(web_api_url, headers=create_headers, json=body, timeout=15)
except requests.exceptions.RequestException as e:
print(f"Request error creating contact #{i}: {e}")
continue
if resp.status_code in (200, 201):
try:
j = resp.json()
cid = j.get('contactid')
except ValueError:
cid = None
if cid:
created_ids.append(cid)
print(f"Created contact #{i} with id: {cid}")
else:
print(f"Created contact #{i} but response body missing id. Response headers: {resp.headers}")
elif resp.status_code == 204:
# try to extract id from headers
entity_url = resp.headers.get('OData-EntityId') or resp.headers.get('Location')
if entity_url:
m = re.search(r"([0-9a-fA-F\-]{36})", entity_url)
if m:
cid = m.group(1)
created_ids.append(cid)
print(f"Created contact #{i} (204) with id: {cid}")
else:
print(f"Created contact #{i} (204) but couldn't parse id from headers: {resp.headers}")
else:
print(f"Created contact #{i} (204) but no entity header present: {resp.headers}")
else:
print(f"Failed to create contact #{i}. Status code: {resp.status_code}, Response: {resp.text}")
# small pause to reduce chance of throttling/rate limits
time.sleep(0.2)
if created_ids:
print("Created contact ids:")
for cid in created_ids:
print(cid)
except Exception as e:
print(f"Unexpected error during Execute Multiple: {e}")
print("Failed to extract Contact ID from headers.")
view raw Python – Dataverse – ExecuteMultipleCreate hosted with ❤ by GitHub

Note: Some part of this code is written with AI, please use with caution, but my main intention is to write about this possibility.

Hope this helps..

Cheers,

PMDY

🔄Power Platform Environment Restore: Options & Best Practices

Hi Folks,

Restoring environments in Power Platform has evolved significantly.

In the past, Dynamics CRM On-Premise users relied on SQL database backups and manual restores. Today, administrators can perform environment restores in online instances with just a few clicks via the Power Platform Admin Center.

This guide outlines the available restore options and key considerations to ensure a smooth and secure process.

🛠️ Restore Options in Power Platform

OptionDescription
1. Manual Backup RestoreRestore from a backup you manually created. Ideal before major customizations or version updates.
2. System Backup RestoreUse automated system backups created by Microsoft. Convenient but less flexible than manual backups.
3. Full CopyClone the entire environment, including data, customizations, and configurations. Suitable for staging or testing.
4. Partial Copy (Customizations & Schema Only)Copies only solutions and schema—no data. Best for promoting configurations from Production to SIT/UAT.

✅ Best Practices & Key Considerations

  • Use Partial Copy for Non-Production: When restoring from Production to SIT/UAT, prefer Partial Copy to avoid data and configuration mismatches. This brings all solutions without the underlying data.
  • Use Full Copy: In case it is restoring to a same type of environment
  • Avoid Restoring Production Backups to Non-Prod: Manual or system backups from Production should not be restored to non-production environments. This often leads to configuration conflicts and user access issues.
  • Update Security Groups: Always update the Security Group when restoring or copying to a different environment type. Otherwise, users may be unable to log in due to mismatched access controls.
  • Manual Backup Timing: After creating a manual backup, wait 10–15 minutes before initiating a restore. This ensures the backup is fully processed and available.
  • Regional Restore Limitation: You can only restore an environment to another environment within the same region.
  • Unlimited Manual Backups: There’s no cap on the number of manual backups you can create—use this flexibility to safeguard key milestones.
  • Exclude Audit Logs When Possible: Including Audit Logs in copies or restores can significantly increase processing time. Exclude them unless absolutely necessary.

🧠 Technical Note

All backup and restore operations in Power Platform are powered by SQL-based technology under the hood, ensuring consistency and reliability across environments.

Reference:

https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/power-platform/admin/backup-restore-environments?tabs=new

Cheers,

PMDY