Essential Tools for Power Platform Consultants

As a Power Platform consultant, having the right tools at your disposal can significantly enhance your productivity and efficiency. Two indispensable tools in this domain are the Level Up for Dynamics 365/Power Apps browser extension and XrmToolbox. This blog post will delve into these tools, highlighting their features and benefits.

Level Up for Dynamics 365/Power Apps

The Level Up for Dynamics 365/Power Apps browser extension is a powerful tool designed to streamline and enhance the user experience for Dynamics 365 and Power Apps. Here are some key features:

Advanced Actions: This extension allows users to perform advanced or hidden actions within Dynamics 365 and Power Apps without the need for bookmarklets. This can include tasks like quickly navigating to specific records, opening forms in different modes, and more.
Ease of Use: The extension is user-friendly and integrates seamlessly with your browser, making it accessible for both developers and testers. It simplifies troubleshooting and verification processes, which are crucial for maintaining efficient workflows.
Community Support: Developed by Natraj Yegnaraman, the tool has garnered positive reviews from the community, highlighting its utility and ease of use. It is a must-have for anyone working extensively with Dynamics 365 and Power Apps.

XrmToolbox

XrmToolbox is another essential tool for Power Platform consultants, especially those working with Dynamics 365. It is a Windows application that provides a suite of tools to manage and customize Dynamics 365 environments. Here are some of its standout features:

Plugin Ecosystem: XrmToolbox hosts a wide range of plugins developed by the community, catering to various needs such as data migration, form customization, and workflow management. This extensibility makes it a versatile tool for any consultant.
Ease of Installation and Use: The tool is straightforward to download and set up. Once installed, users can easily connect to their Dynamics 365 environments and start using the available plugins to perform complex tasks with minimal effort.
Community and Documentation: The tool is well-supported by a vibrant community of developers and users. Comprehensive documentation and tutorials are available, making it easier for new users to get started and for experienced users to explore advanced functionalities.

Other Notable Tools

While Level Up and XrmToolbox are standout tools, several other tools can further enhance your capabilities as a Power Platform consultant:

Dataverse REST Builder: This tool helps in creating and executing requests against the Dataverse Web API endpoint, simplifying API interactions for developers.
Dynamics 365 Power Pane: A helper tool designed to integrate with Dynamics CRM/365 applications, allowing manipulation of forms and other elements directly from the browser.
D365-UI-Test-Designer: A browser extension for designing and capturing UI tests for Dynamics 365, which is crucial for ensuring the reliability and performance of customizations.

Conclusion

For Power Platform consultants, leveraging the right tools can make a significant difference in the efficiency and quality of their work. The Level Up for Dynamics 365/Power Apps extension and XrmToolbox are two indispensable tools that provide advanced functionalities, ease of use, and robust community support. By incorporating these tools into your workflow, you can enhance your productivity and deliver superior solutions to your clients.

Whether you are troubleshooting, customizing, or managing complex workflows, these tools will empower you to perform your tasks more effectively and efficiently.