Calling Actions with Parameters Using ExecuteWorkflowRequest in Dynamics CRM 2016
Problem: You need to execute a custom workflow in Dynamics CRM 2016, but the workflow requires specific input parameters. How can you pass these parameters when using the ExecuteWorkflowRequest message?
Solution: This article explains how to call a workflow with parameters using the ExecuteWorkflowRequest message in Dynamics CRM 2016. We'll provide a clear step-by-step guide and illustrate the process with code examples.
Understanding the Concept
Workflows in Dynamics CRM can be powerful tools for automating tasks and business processes. Sometimes, these workflows require specific data to operate correctly. For example, a workflow might need to update a record based on a value entered by the user. This is where parameters come into play.
Parameters allow you to pass data to a workflow during execution. The ExecuteWorkflowRequest message provides the mechanism to call a workflow and send these parameters.
Code Walkthrough
Let's break down how to call a workflow with parameters using ExecuteWorkflowRequest.
Step 1: Define your workflow parameters:
First, you need to define the parameters your workflow expects. These parameters should be defined within your workflow definition. For example, a workflow might need a parameter called "Status" to update a record's status.
Step 2: Create an ExecuteWorkflowRequest object:
ExecuteWorkflowRequest request = new ExecuteWorkflowRequest();
Step 3: Set the workflow ID:
request.WorkflowId = new EntityReference("workflow", workflowId); // Replace with your workflow ID
Step 4: Define the input parameters:
// Create a collection of parameters
request.Parameters = new ParameterCollection();
// Add your defined parameters
request.Parameters.Add("Status", new OptionSetValue(statusValue)); // Replace with your desired status value
Step 5: Execute the request:
OrganizationServiceProxy service = new OrganizationServiceProxy(new Uri("your_crm_url"), new ClientCredentials());
ExecuteWorkflowResponse response = (ExecuteWorkflowResponse)service.Execute(request);
Example:
using Microsoft.Xrm.Sdk;
using Microsoft.Xrm.Sdk.Client;
using Microsoft.Xrm.Sdk.Query;
// ...
// Define the status value to pass as a parameter
int statusValue = 1;
// Workflow ID
Guid workflowId = new Guid("YourWorkflowID");
// Create ExecuteWorkflowRequest
ExecuteWorkflowRequest request = new ExecuteWorkflowRequest();
// Set Workflow ID
request.WorkflowId = new EntityReference("workflow", workflowId);
// Create parameters
request.Parameters = new ParameterCollection();
// Add Status parameter
request.Parameters.Add("Status", new OptionSetValue(statusValue));
// Create OrganizationServiceProxy
OrganizationServiceProxy service = new OrganizationServiceProxy(new Uri("your_crm_url"), new ClientCredentials());
// Execute the request
ExecuteWorkflowResponse response = (ExecuteWorkflowResponse)service.Execute(request);
// ...
This code snippet demonstrates how to call a workflow with a "Status" parameter. You can modify this code to suit your specific workflow and parameters.
Best Practices
- Thorough testing: Ensure your workflow functions as expected with different parameter combinations.
- Documentation: Clearly document your workflow and its parameters for future reference.
- Error handling: Implement error handling mechanisms to catch any issues during workflow execution.
Conclusion
By utilizing the ExecuteWorkflowRequest message and defining parameters correctly, you can effectively trigger workflows with specific input data. This enables you to automate complex processes and leverage the full power of Dynamics CRM's workflow capabilities.
Remember to adapt the code examples provided to your specific needs and replace placeholders with your actual workflow ID, parameter names, and values.
