Option sets are the next topic I would like to cover in my series of posts aimed at anyone preparing for the MB2-712 certification. (Microsoft Dynamics CRM 2016 Customization and Configuration)

Option sets are simply pick lists. The value that is stored in the database is actually an integer but in the entity definition we relate each number to a text label. The text then shown as a label on CRM forms, views etc.

As an example I have created a pick list. I have added it to a custom entity I use to hold “policies”. My pick list is called policy type and holds values like “Car Insurance”, “Home Insurance” etc.

Below you can see the field definition for this field from my policy entity.

• Data Type, this is set to option set. Doing so then makes several other fields show.
• Use Existing Option Set, in this first example I have said no. This means the list of options is specific to this entity. (I will describe how this option can make use of global option sets later in this post.)
• Default Value, in my example I left the default value as unassigned. But if I had wanted a default I could have set it here.
• Options, I created the list of options by pressing the green “+” button.
  • On the right had side I entered a label for each option.
  • The value field will default but you can change it if required.
  • For the default publisher all values will start at 100,000,000 but other publishers can default to different ranges. This helps to identify who added what options.
  • The description and color fields are optional.
  • Having added the options, I can use the arrows to manually change the sort order. Or the A-Z icons can be used to sort alphabetically.

Global Option Sets

If I expect to re-use an option set that it can be created as a global option set. This gives two main advantages;

1. Re-using the options sets if more efficient as it saves the time of repeatedly entering lists.
2. If an option is added or changed, making the change once will affect all occurrences of that list in the system.
3. Reporting is consistent across the multiple entities the use the options.
4. Mapping of global option sets does not present any issues with data inconsistency. (See notes below on mappings!)

To create a global option set, I create it as before. But this time I answered “Yes” to the use existing option set question.

If your option set already exists, you can simple pick it at this stage. But the first time you need it you’ll select the “New” option. You can then proceed to create the list.

Tip: Global options sets also appear in your solution under the heading of option sets. You can also create them from there if required.

Mapping Option Sets

I haven’t covered relationships and mappings yet. So at this point don’t worry about how to create mappings. It is enough to just know that mappings are used to default fields on child entities when created from a parent. You often see this happen in CRM! For example, when you create a case from an account form the account name is populated onto the case using mappings. Some mappings are part of the system and can’t be changed but often developers will create custom mappings.

I mention this here as there is a specific concern with option sets. Something you will need to be aware of!

What is “special” about option sets is you need to keep in mind that the option set value is mapped not the text. Imagine you map an option set on one entity to another option set. What will happen if the combinations of text and value do not match. To illustrate this, I have shown two option sets below. One as it might appear on my parent entity and one on a child.

If Car Insurance or Life Insurance is selected on the parent, a new child entity would show the same reuslt. As their values match on the parent and child.

But selecting Home Insurance on the parent would show Pension fund on the child! As both have a value 100,000,001 but they have different text values.

Selecting Savings Policy or Pension Fund on the parent would result in nothing being shown on the child. As it is not aware of those options.

Hopefully I have covered most of the key points you need to understand connected with Option Sets for the MB2-712 exam.
J