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Dataverse Fundamentals

🌐 Power Pages & Dataverse⏱ 15 min⭐ 100 BASE XP⌨ HANDS-ON LAB

The Power Platform Data Layer

Dataverse is the enterprise-grade 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

ConceptSQL EquivalentDescription
TableTableA structured set of records (rows) with defined columns
ColumnColumnA field with a specific data type (text, number, lookup, choice)
RowRowA single record in a table
RelationshipForeign KeyOne-to-many, many-to-many, or one-to-one links between tables
Choice (Option Set)EnumPredefined 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.

💡 Key Insight: Always use standard tables where possible — they come with pre-built relationships, forms, views, and integrations. Only create custom tables for truly unique business data that has no standard equivalent.
⌨ HANDS-ON LABInspect Your Dataverse Environments
⭐ +150 XP

New tenant, unknown territory. Use the pac CLI to list every environment you can reach, select the right one, and confirm exactly which org you're connected to.

1List all Dataverse environments visible to your account.
2Select the Contoso-Dev environment as the target for subsequent commands.
3Verify the connection — show which org and user the CLI is now bound to.
lab-sandbox — simulated environment
INFINITY LAB SANDBOX v2.6 — simulated shell
Type the command for the current objective. Helpers: "hint", "solution", "clear".
$
OBJECTIVE 1 / 3 — type "hint" if stuck
SYNAPSE VERIFICATION
QUERY 1 // 3
What is a Business Unit in Dataverse?
A billing category
An organisational hierarchy that segments data visibility for row-level security
A type of connector
A report template
Dataverse Fundamentals Tutorial | Power Pages & Dataverse — Power Platform Academy