Dataverse Fundamentals
The Power Platform Data Layer
Dataverse is the enterprise relational data platform underpinning the entire Power Platform ecosystem. It provides secure, scalable data storage with built-in business logic, security, and governance — eliminating the need for custom database infrastructure.
Core Concepts
| Concept | SQL Equivalent | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Table | Table | A structured set of records (rows) with defined columns |
| Column | Column | A field with a specific data type (text, number, lookup, choice) |
| Row | Row | A single record in a table |
| Relationship | Foreign Key | One-to-many, many-to-many, or one-to-one links between tables |
| Choice (Option Set) | Enum | Predefined picklist values (e.g., Status: Active, Inactive, Pending) |
Security Model
Dataverse implements a layered security model that controls access at multiple levels:
- Business Units: Organisational hierarchy that segments data visibility (e.g., regional offices)
- Security Roles: Define CRUD permissions per table (e.g., "Sales Rep" can Read Accounts but not Delete)
- Teams: Groups of users sharing the same security role for efficient management
- Row-Level Security: Users only see records they own, their team owns, or their business unit owns
- Column-Level Security: Restrict access to specific sensitive columns (e.g., salary, SSN)
Standard vs Custom Tables
Dataverse includes 400+ standard tables (Account, Contact, Case, Opportunity) that follow the Common Data Model. These integrate natively with Dynamics 365 and Microsoft 365. Custom tables are created for organisation-specific data that doesn't fit standard tables.
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