cancel
Showing results for 
Search instead for 
Did you mean: 
Reply
GerbenB
Frequent Visitor

Creating a view using INNER JOIN principle

Hello here!

 

I am new to Common Data Service and coming from - as many - an SQL-based background, this matter can be quite hard to understand at times.

 

In the current datamodel I got several entities, please refer to the attached image.

 

The design declares that on the screen for "this tasks used articles" we show a list of Categories under under which the used articles are shown. Normally I would use some INNER JOIN magic, but this doesn't seem to be possible within CDS, or am I missing something?

 

Edit:

I'm using Canvas as primary UI

End Edit

 

Kind regards,

Gerben.

1 ACCEPTED SOLUTION

Accepted Solutions
cchannon
Multi Super User
Multi Super User

OK, it sounds like you are stuck trying to figure out how to hop from your list of Tasks all the way across Article Usage, Articles, and to Categories, but not sure how to retrieve the records at a 1:N or N:N relation as opposed to an N:1. Is that about right?

 

So, strictly speaking you could do this in PowerApps because 1:N and N:N relationships are accessible as objects on an entity, just like attributes, so getting all Articles Usages for a Task should be as simple as Task.'Article Usages' and getting all Categories for an Article should be as simple as Article.Categories. BUT, in order build a string out of all that, you will need to do some serious concatenate-loop-concatenate-loop gymnastics, and I, personally, hate that kind of stuff.

 

So, let's use a better query tool than jumping one record at a time. PowerAutomate gives you way more useful record querying, looping, and concatenation abilities with a visual map that makes it really intuitive, so that's where I'd recommend you do it. You can tie a PowerAutomate flow to just about anything in canvas apps, including a Gallery datasource, and you can even run a custom fetchxml query from inside a powerautomate flow so you could just code your way right past this problem in a syntax that--while very different from SQL--should still be pretty easy for you to pick up if you don't already know it.

 

This blog (not mine; I just found it with a quick internet search so don't blame me if it isn't 100% accurate) covers the plumbing for how to call a PowerAutomate Flow from your Canvas app and return a response object. It is focused on a button scenario, but the same concepts would apply for returning something to use as a data source for your gallery. Give it a try and see if this makes it easier for you to get the query results you want.

View solution in original post

6 REPLIES 6
DavidJennaway
Solution Supplier
Solution Supplier

If you're trying to create a view in a model-driven App, then the UI allows you to display fields from the entity on which the view is defined, and fields from any entity with which it has an N:1 relationship, but that's as far as it goes. However, views can use filter criteria based on multiple levels of relationship (and N:N relationships).

If you need to display data from more levels of relationships, you can create additional derived fields using calculated fields, rollup fields, or workflows to set derived fields. None of these feel ideal from a data modelling perspective, but it is sometimes necessary

GarethPrisk
Resident Rockstar
Resident Rockstar

@GerbenB, a few clarifying questions

 

  1. Your ERD shows Categories and Articles as a N:N relationship - is this an OOB N:N?
  2. In a simple example
    • Categories [A,B,C]
    • Articles [1,2,3]
    • N:N (Category:Articles) [A:1,A:2,B:2,C:1,C:3]
      • Are you expecting that Category A would show Articles 1, 2
      • Are you expecting that Category B would show Article 2
      • etc.
  3. How are you showing/selecting the Category?
    • There's a few other entities in your ERD but it's not clear how they're involved
    • Can you walk through the ERD as it pertains to your expected behavior and filtering?

Hello @GarethPrisk,

 

  1. Not really sure what OOB means. The relationship is not required on either side. An article can have no categories and fall under the "general" category, which is a default not-defined category. Hope this helps clarifying.
  2. The screen is filtered per category, including articles without any category attached. workorder_articles_view.png
  3. See image above. The selected category is put into the gallery, using the following formula:

 

 

 

 

Table(Gallery1.Selected, {aa123_name: "General"})​

 

 

 

 

So Gallery2 is filled with the selected category AND the general category.

  • There are quite a few entities not mentioned, since they are not of interest for this question in my opinion, I could be wrong. Hopefully the above gave you a better understanding of what we want.
  • Of course:
    • We got our task-screen where we select a category
    • Under the category-screen (see above) we see all selected articles including its quantity (The ArticleUsage entity) grouped by the category, either selected or general.
    • The general category is a fall-back-category in case an article has no categories assigned.
      • I find the design quite odd, but "I am just executing the job."

 

I am playing around with possibilities and I am currently using the following snippet to filter the article per category (The filter is not complete since it does not test whether the article is related to "this task"

 

Filter([@Articles], ThisItem.Category in Categories)

 

However, due to the fact that I cannot use Categories (name of the relation between Article and Category I am unable to check for any existing relations. The error that I receive is "the specified column is not accessible in this context"

 

I also kn that using "in" is bad-practise but I needed to test it.

Hello @GarethPrisk have you had time to review my reply?

cchannon
Multi Super User
Multi Super User

OK, it sounds like you are stuck trying to figure out how to hop from your list of Tasks all the way across Article Usage, Articles, and to Categories, but not sure how to retrieve the records at a 1:N or N:N relation as opposed to an N:1. Is that about right?

 

So, strictly speaking you could do this in PowerApps because 1:N and N:N relationships are accessible as objects on an entity, just like attributes, so getting all Articles Usages for a Task should be as simple as Task.'Article Usages' and getting all Categories for an Article should be as simple as Article.Categories. BUT, in order build a string out of all that, you will need to do some serious concatenate-loop-concatenate-loop gymnastics, and I, personally, hate that kind of stuff.

 

So, let's use a better query tool than jumping one record at a time. PowerAutomate gives you way more useful record querying, looping, and concatenation abilities with a visual map that makes it really intuitive, so that's where I'd recommend you do it. You can tie a PowerAutomate flow to just about anything in canvas apps, including a Gallery datasource, and you can even run a custom fetchxml query from inside a powerautomate flow so you could just code your way right past this problem in a syntax that--while very different from SQL--should still be pretty easy for you to pick up if you don't already know it.

 

This blog (not mine; I just found it with a quick internet search so don't blame me if it isn't 100% accurate) covers the plumbing for how to call a PowerAutomate Flow from your Canvas app and return a response object. It is focused on a button scenario, but the same concepts would apply for returning something to use as a data source for your gallery. Give it a try and see if this makes it easier for you to get the query results you want.

We're going to test it out with Power Automate. Thanks for the tip.

Helpful resources

Announcements

Exclusive LIVE Community Event: Power Apps Copilot Coffee Chat with Copilot Studio Product Team

  It's time for the SECOND Power Apps Copilot Coffee Chat featuring the Copilot Studio product team, which will be held LIVE on April 3, 2024 at 9:30 AM Pacific Daylight Time (PDT).     This is an incredible opportunity to connect with members of the Copilot Studio product team and ask them anything about Copilot Studio. We'll share our special guests with you shortly--but we want to encourage to mark your calendars now because you will not want to miss the conversation.   This live event will give you the unique opportunity to learn more about Copilot Studio plans, where we’ll focus, and get insight into upcoming features. We’re looking forward to hearing from the community, so bring your questions!   TO GET ACCESS TO THIS EXCLUSIVE AMA: Kudo this post to reserve your spot! Reserve your spot now by kudoing this post.  Reservations will be prioritized on when your kudo for the post comes through, so don't wait! Click that "kudo button" today.   Invitations will be sent on April 2nd.Users posting Kudos after April 2nd. at 9AM PDT may not receive an invitation but will be able to view the session online after conclusion of the event. Give your "kudo" today and mark your calendars for April 3rd, 2024 at 9:30 AM PDT and join us for an engaging and informative session!

Tuesday Tip: Unlocking Community Achievements and Earning Badges

TUESDAY TIPS are our way of communicating helpful things we've learned or shared that have helped members of the Community. Whether you're just getting started or you're a seasoned pro, Tuesday Tips will help you know where to go, what to look for, and navigate your way through the ever-growing--and ever-changing--world of the Power Platform Community! We cover basics about the Community, provide a few "insider tips" to make your experience even better, and share best practices gleaned from our most active community members and Super Users.   With so many new Community members joining us each week, we'll also review a few of our "best practices" so you know just "how" the Community works, so make sure to watch the News & Announcements each week for the latest and greatest Tuesday Tips!     THIS WEEK'S TIP: Unlocking Achievements and Earning BadgesAcross the Communities, you'll see badges on users profile that recognize and reward their engagement and contributions. These badges each signify a different achievement--and all of those achievements are available to any Community member! If you're a seasoned pro or just getting started, you too can earn badges for the great work you do. Check out some details on Community badges below--and find out more in the detailed link at the end of the article!       A Diverse Range of Badges to Collect The badges you can earn in the Community cover a wide array of activities, including: Kudos Received: Acknowledges the number of times a user’s post has been appreciated with a “Kudo.”Kudos Given: Highlights the user’s generosity in recognizing others’ contributions.Topics Created: Tracks the number of discussions initiated by a user.Solutions Provided: Celebrates the instances where a user’s response is marked as the correct solution.Reply: Counts the number of times a user has engaged with community discussions.Blog Contributor: Honors those who contribute valuable content and are invited to write for the community blog.       A Community Evolving Together Badges are not only a great way to recognize outstanding contributions of our amazing Community members--they are also a way to continue fostering a collaborative and supportive environment. As you continue to share your knowledge and assist each other these badges serve as a visual representation of your valuable contributions.   Find out more about badges in these Community Support pages in each Community: All About Community Badges - Power Apps CommunityAll About Community Badges - Power Automate CommunityAll About Community Badges - Copilot Studio CommunityAll About Community Badges - Power Pages Community

Tuesday Tips: Powering Up Your Community Profile

TUESDAY TIPS are our way of communicating helpful things we've learned or shared that have helped members of the Community. Whether you're just getting started or you're a seasoned pro, Tuesday Tips will help you know where to go, what to look for, and navigate your way through the ever-growing--and ever-changing--world of the Power Platform Community! We cover basics about the Community, provide a few "insider tips" to make your experience even better, and share best practices gleaned from our most active community members and Super Users.   With so many new Community members joining us each week, we'll also review a few of our "best practices" so you know just "how" the Community works, so make sure to watch the News & Announcements each week for the latest and greatest Tuesday Tips!   This Week's Tip: Power Up Your Profile!  🚀 It's where every Community member gets their start, and it's essential that you keep it updated! Your Community User Profile is how you're able to get messages, post solutions, ask questions--and as you rank up, it's where your badges will appear and how you'll be known when you start blogging in the Community Blog. Your Community User Profile is how the Community knows you--so it's essential that it works the way you need it to! From changing your username to updating contact information, this Knowledge Base Article is your best resource for powering up your profile.     Password Puzzles? No Problem! Find out how to sync your Azure AD password with your community account, ensuring a seamless sign-in. No separate passwords to remember! Job Jumps & Email Swaps Changed jobs? Got a new email? Fear not! You'll find out how to link your shiny new email to your existing community account, keeping your contributions and connections intact. Username Uncertainties Unraveled Picking the perfect username is crucial--and sometimes the original choice you signed up with doesn't fit as well as you may have thought. There's a quick way to request an update here--but remember, your username is your community identity, so choose wisely. "Need Admin Approval" Warning Window? If you see this error message while using the community, don't worry. A simple process will help you get where you need to go. If you still need assistance, find out how to contact your Community Support team. Whatever you're looking for, when it comes to your profile, the Community Account Support Knowledge Base article is your treasure trove of tips as you navigate the nuances of your Community Profile. It’s the ultimate resource for keeping your digital identity in tip-top shape while engaging with the Power Platform Community. So, dive in and power up your profile today!  💪🚀   Community Account Support | Power Apps Community Account Support | Power AutomateCommunity Account Support | Copilot Studio  Community Account Support | Power Pages

Super User of the Month | Chris Piasecki

In our 2nd installment of this new ongoing feature in the Community, we're thrilled to announce that Chris Piasecki is our Super User of the Month for March 2024. If you've been in the Community for a while, we're sure you've seen a comment or marked one of Chris' helpful tips as a solution--he's been a Super User for SEVEN consecutive seasons!       Since authoring his first reply in April 2020 to his most recent achievement organizing the Canadian Power Platform Summit this month, Chris has helped countless Community members with his insights and expertise. In addition to being a Super User, Chris is also a User Group leader, Microsoft MVP, and a featured speaker at the Microsoft Power Platform Conference. His contributions to the new SUIT program, along with his joyous personality and willingness to jump in and help so many members has made Chris a fixture in the Power Platform Community.   When Chris isn't authoring solutions or organizing events, he's actively leading Piasecki Consulting, specializing in solution architecture, integration, DevOps, and more--helping clients discover how to strategize and implement Microsoft's technology platforms. We are grateful for Chris' insightful help in the Community and look forward to even more amazing milestones as he continues to assist so many with his great tips, solutions--always with a smile and a great sense of humor.You can find Chris in the Community and on LinkedIn. Thanks for being such a SUPER user, Chris! 💪🌠

Find Out What Makes Super Users So Super

We know many of you visit the Power Platform Communities to ask questions and receive answers. But do you know that many of our best answers and solutions come from Community members who are super active, helping anyone who needs a little help getting unstuck with Business Applications products? We call these dedicated Community members Super Users because they are the real heroes in the Community, willing to jump in whenever they can to help! Maybe you've encountered them yourself and they've solved some of your biggest questions. Have you ever wondered, "Why?"We interviewed several of our Super Users to understand what drives them to help in the Community--and discover the difference it has made in their lives as well! Take a look in our gallery today: What Motivates a Super User? - Power Platform Community (microsoft.com)

March User Group Update: New Groups and Upcoming Events!

  Welcome to this month’s celebration of our Community User Groups and exciting User Group events. We’re thrilled to introduce some brand-new user groups that have recently joined our vibrant community. Plus, we’ve got a lineup of engaging events you won’t want to miss. Let’s jump right in: New User Groups   Sacramento Power Platform GroupANZ Power Platform COE User GroupPower Platform MongoliaPower Platform User Group OmanPower Platform User Group Delta StateMid Michigan Power Platform Upcoming Events  DUG4MFG - Quarterly Meetup - Microsoft Demand PlanningDate: 19 Mar 2024 | 10:30 AM to 12:30 PM Central America Standard TimeDescription: Dive into the world of manufacturing with a focus on Demand Planning. Learn from industry experts and share your insights. Dynamics User Group HoustonDate: 07 Mar 2024 | 11:00 AM to 01:00 PM Central America Standard TimeDescription: Houston, get ready for an immersive session on Dynamics 365 and the Power Platform. Connect with fellow professionals and expand your knowledge. Reading Dynamics 365 & Power Platform User Group (Q1)Date: 05 Mar 2024 | 06:00 PM to 09:00 PM GMT Standard TimeDescription: Join our virtual meetup for insightful discussions, demos, and community updates. Let’s kick off Q1 with a bang! Leaders, Create Your Events!    Leaders of existing User Groups, don’t forget to create your events within the Community platform. By doing so, you’ll enable us to share them in future posts and newsletters. Let’s spread the word and make these gatherings even more impactful! Stay tuned for more updates, inspiring stories, and collaborative opportunities from and for our Community User Groups.   P.S. Have an event or success story to share? Reach out to us – we’d love to feature you!

Users online (5,810)