Describe Microsoft 365 integrations

  • 15 minutes

There are many scenarios where Dynamics 365 and Office can work together. Applications such as Microsoft Excel, Teams, and SharePoint all provide specific capabilities that can enhance the capabilities of Dynamics 365 Applications. Some of the most common Microsoft 365 Integrations include:

  • Microsoft Excel

  • Microsoft Word

  • Microsoft Teams

  • Microsoft SharePoint

  • Microsoft Outlook

  • Microsoft 365 Copilot

Microsoft Excel

The integration between model-driven apps and Excel is a favorite feature for many users. Excel is one of the most popular data analysis tools for business users, and the ease of exporting Dataverse data to Excel is a significant benefit for users at all levels of an organization.

Static and dynamic worksheets

Most Dynamics 365 views can be exported as static or dynamic data into Excel. Static worksheets create a local copy of the data, and no connection is maintained between Dataverse workbooks. Exported dynamic workbooks or pivot tables maintain a link between the Dataverse data and the Excel file. The Dataverse security model is maintained, and users need appropriate privileges to refresh the data.

Another export option is exporting to Excel Online. This option opens the Excel file for the user in a window within Dynamics 365 or custom model-driven apps. This option is popular when someone wants to quickly edit multiple Dynamics 365 records.

Screenshot of the Export to Excel Online.

Excel Templates

Like Word document templates, Excel templates empower Dynamics 365 users to easily create up to date Excel reports without needing knowledge of Excel formulas, charts, or pivot tables. Templates can be opened in Excel online or downloaded and then opened locally in Excel. Templates allow users who would usually be unable to create these reports to easily use premade Excel documents with current data. It also empowers Excel users to create reports with current data instead of maintaining their own data outside the system.

Screenshot of the Excel template.

Microsoft Word

Like using templates in Microsoft Excel, users can use Word templates to simplify communication with customers. Word templates can be used in all customer engagement apps such as Dynamics 365 Sales and Dynamics 365 Customer Service. The templates give users a one-select way to generate standardized documents populated with data.

Screenshot of a Word template that's being used with Dynamics 365.

Describe Microsoft SharePoint integration

Microsoft SharePoint is used by organizations worldwide for document management. It provides many features that are beneficial when collaborating on documents such as document check in and out functionality, and versioning. These features provide deeper document management capabilities than the attachment options that are available in Dynamics 365 CRM applications.

With Dataverse, organizations can store documents on Microsoft SharePoint and manage them from within your Dynamics 365 customer engagement apps. This capability allows you to take full advantage of SharePoint document management capabilities since all the documents you create in your app are stored on SharePoint. Not only does this mean that your documents are automatically synchronized to your desktop and mobile devices, but they're also accessible for collaboration with non-Dynamics 365 users.

Screenshot of accessing materials stored in a Sharepoint documents folder.

Once integration is turned on, Dynamics 365 users can:

  • Create new folders for storing files directly in SharePoint

  • Create new documents

  • Upload existing documents

  • Open the SharePoint site directly, which provides you with the ability to:

    • Check documents in and out
    • Use SharePoint's versioning capabilities

To learn more about the SharePoint integration that's available, see: Collaborate using SharePoint

Describe Microsoft Teams integration

Microsoft Teams is becoming one of the most important applications for organizations. It's the primary collaboration tool for engaging with teammates, virtual meetings, and project collaboration. The Dynamics 365 applications integrate with Microsoft Teams in multiple ways that allow you to take advantage of these collaboration features.

Dynamics 365 for Microsoft Teams integration enables users to easily work with customer information in diverse customer engagement apps, including Dynamics 365 Sales and Dynamics 365 Customer Service. Users can share files directly from Microsoft Teams. Sharing files helps them to be more productive and get work done more effectively.

  • Collaboration hub: Access a shared workspace for Office apps that most of us already use to work sales opportunities.

  • File integration: Coauthor documents using Microsoft 365 and automatically synchronize with customer engagement apps in Dynamics 365.

  • Dynamics 365 assistant application for Microsoft Teams: The Dynamics 365 assistant app is available on Microsoft Teams as part of the existing Dynamics 365 app. The app provides sellers with a simple-to-use experience. It combines data from multiple sources such as Microsoft 365 and Dynamics 365.

  • Embedded Teams chat: With Microsoft Teams embedded chat, you can collaborate with stakeholders directly from within Dynamics 365. This capability allows you to use Dynamics 365 data as an organizing layer for your Teams collaboration activity. It links chats to Dynamics 365 records for convenient access for all participants. These records include sales opportunities and service cases.

Screenshot of an embedded Teams chat.

Describe Microsoft Outlook integration

Synchronize appointments, contacts, emails, and more. Use the Dynamics 365 App for Outlook to view information about Dynamics 365 contacts and leads while you’re working in Outlook. You can view this info in an email, meeting, or appointment. For example, view phone numbers, company name, last and next activities, and recent records from Dynamics 365.

Screenshot of the Dynamics 365 App for Outlook.

Other functionality available:

  • Link email messages, meetings, and appointments to a Dynamics 365 record with a single select. For example, link an email message to a specific account, opportunity, or case. Dynamics 365 App for Outlook also supports custom entities.

  • Open Dynamics 365 records directly to find or enter more detailed information.

  • Add a phone call, task, or appointment activity to Dynamics 365.

  • Create a new Dynamics 365 record for any entity (record type).

  • Add email templates, knowledge articles, and sales literature when you create an email message or set up a meeting.