Book Image

Microsoft Power Platform Functional Consultant: PL-200 Exam Guide

By : Julian Sharp
Book Image

Microsoft Power Platform Functional Consultant: PL-200 Exam Guide

By: Julian Sharp

Overview of this book

The Power Platform Functional Consultant Associate (PL-200) exam tests and validates the practical skills of Power Platform users who are proficient in developing solutions by combining the tools in Power Platform and the Microsoft 365 ecosystem based on business needs. This certification guide offers complete, up-to-date coverage of the PL-200 exam so you can prepare effectively for the exam. Written in a clear, succinct way with self-assessment questions, exam tips, and mock exams with detailed explanations of solutions, this book covers common day-to-day activities involved in configuring Power Platform, such as managing entities, creating apps, implementing security, and managing system change. You'll also explore the role of a functional consultant in creating a data model in the Microsoft Dataverse (formerly Common Data Service). Moving ahead, you'll learn how to design the user experience and even build model-driven and canvas apps. As you progress, the book will show you how to manage automation and create chatbots. Finally, you'll understand how to display your data with Power BI and integrate Power Platform with Microsoft 365 and Microsoft Teams. By the end of this book, you'll be well-versed with the essential concepts and techniques required to prepare for the PL-200 certification exam.

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Table of Contents (34 chapters)
Preface
Preface
Who this book is for
What this book covers
To get the most out of this book
Download the color images
Conventions used
Get in touch
Reviews
1
Section 1: Introduction
Section 1: Introduction
Free Chapter
2
PL-200 Exam
PL-200 Exam
Understanding role-based certifications
Job roles
Exam questions
Question types
Performance-based testing
Introducing Power Platform and Dynamics 365 roles
Dynamics 365 and Power Platform roles
The Functional Consultant role
Role definition
Key role activities
Required experience
Functional Consultant roles
Exploring the PL-200 exam and its objectives
Skills measured
Configure the Common Data Service (25–30%)
Create apps by using Power Apps (20–25%)
Create and manage Power Automate (15–20%)
Implement Power Virtual Agents chatbots (10–15%)
Integrate Power Apps with other apps and services (15–20%)
Related exams
Summary
Questions
Further reading
3
Section 2: Microsoft Dataverse
Section 2: Microsoft Dataverse
4
Power Platform
Power Platform
Introducing Dynamics 365 and the Dynamics 365 apps
Dynamics 365 apps
Exploring the Power Platform and its components
Power Platform components
Power Apps
Power Automate
Power BI
Power Virtual Agents
Related components
Connectors
Dataverse (formerly) Common Data Service
Common Data Model
AI Builder
Understanding Power Platform environments
Multiple environments
Environments and databases
Environment security
Environment types
Environment operations
Administration and maker portals
The Power Apps maker portal
The Power Platform administration center
Microsoft 365 administration center
Microsoft AppSource
Summary
Questions
Further reading
5
Data Modeling
Data Modeling
Understanding the Common Data Model
Data definitions in the CDM
The importance of metadata
Open Data Initiative
Introducing the Common Data Service
Benefits of the CDS
Dynamics 365 apps and the CDS
Understanding the technologies used in the CDS
Introducing solutions
Default solution
Common Data Services Default solution
Using custom solutions
Publishers and prefixes
Creating solutions
Components
Solution operations
Changing the data model
Data modeling
Entities
Creating entities
Entity types
Activity entities
Virtual entities
Entity ownership
Other entity properties
Relationships
Creating a one-to-many relationship
Behaviors and cascading rules
Mappings
Creating a many-to-many relationship
Connections
Configuring connection roles
Fields
Data types
Creating a field
Option sets
Calculated fields
Rollup fields
Alternate keys
Summary
Questions
Further reading
6
Business Rules
Business Rules
Introducing business rules
Using actions in business rules
Types of action
Show Error Message
Set Field Value
Set Default Value
Set Business Required
Set Visibility
Locking or unlocking a field
Recommendation
Combining actions in a business rule
Using conditions in business rules
Using the visual rule designer to create and edit business rules
Finding business rules in the classic portal
Creating a business rule
Setting the name of the rule
Adding conditions to a business rule
Adding actions to a business rule
Saving the business rule
Validating the business rule
Setting the scope of the business rule
Copying business rules
Documenting the business rule
Navigating complex rules with the mini-map
Viewing the structure and logic of a business rule with code view
Activating business rules
Using business rules
How scope controls the running of business rules
Business rule scope and canvas apps
Understanding the limitations of business rules
Best practices
Summary
Questions
Further reading
7
Classic Workflows
Classic Workflows
Introducing processes
Classic workflows
Dialogs
Action processes
How processes are triggered
How processes perform work
Check conditions
Wait conditions
Steps
Creating a classic workflow
Process properties
Setting the scope of the process
Setting the options for automatic processing
Settings when the process is available to run
Adding steps to a process
Running a background workflow
Security for background workflows
Running a real-time workflow
Security for real-time workflows
Converting between real-time and background workflows
Activating processes
Creating and using action processes
Built-in actions
Extending processes with custom actions
Monitoring classic workflows
Logs for background workflows
Logs for real-time workflows
Summary
Questions
Further reading
8
Managing Data
Managing Data
Importing data from different sources
Using the Import Data Wizard
Monitoring import data jobs
Using data templates
Adding sample data
Using Import from Excel
Using Power Query
Exporting data
Exporting to Excel in model-driven apps
Exporting data in the maker portal
Replicating data to Azure SQL
Using Power Automate
Configuration Migration tool
Summary
Questions
Further reading
9
Dataverse Settings
Dataverse Settings
Configuring duplicate detection
Duplicate detection settings
Duplicate detection rules
Duplicate detection jobs
Cleansing data
Managing data growth
Using bulk delete
Configuring auditing
Understanding how auditing works
Viewing audit records
Managing audit logs
Managing audit security
Enabling read logging
Configuring search
Summary
Questions
Further reading
10
Security
Security
Overview of security features
Cloud security
Securing data with encryption
Authenticating apps
Environment security
Security in the CDS
Business units
Security roles
Access levels
Business units, users, and security roles
Creating or modifying security roles
Assigning multiple security roles
Roles in model-driven apps
Roles in other components
Users and teams
Users in Microsoft 365
Users in the CDS
Record ownership
Sharing
Teams
Owner teams
Access teams
Azure AD group teams
Hierarchical security
Manager hierarchy
Position hierarchy
Field-level security
Secured fields
Field security profiles
Summary
Questions
Further reading
11
Section 3: Power Apps
Section 3: Power Apps
12
Model-Driven Apps
Model-Driven Apps
Introducing model-driven apps
Creating a model-driven app
Configuring the site map
Selecting components for an app
Sharing a model-driven app
Configuring forms and controls
Configuring the main form
Understanding the form structure
Showing related records
Adding controls to forms
Adding fields to a form
Configuring fields
Configuring lookup fields
Configuring subgrids
Configuring the timeline
Using quick view forms
Using quick create forms
Using the card form
Using multiple forms
Configuring forms for mobile
Configuring views
Using public views
Using system views
Customizing a view
Sharing personal views
Enabling editable grids
Creating charts and dashboards
Understanding charts
Creating a chart
Sharing personal charts
Understanding dashboards
Configuring standard dashboards
Configuring interactive experience dashboards
Securing dashboards
Sharing personal dashboards
Understanding reporting options
Summary
Questions
Further reading
13
Canvas Apps
Canvas Apps
Introducing canvas apps
Creating canvas apps
Creating an app
Adding controls to your app
Understanding what screens are
Understanding what controls are
The gallery control
The button control
The form control
Reusable components
Exploring connectors and data sources
Using the Common Data Service
Deploying canvas apps
App Checker
Testing an app
Publishing and sharing an app
User authentication
User authorization
Managing changes
Limitations of canvas apps
Performance
Summary
Questions
Further reading
14
Portal Apps
Portal Apps
Introducing portal apps
Inviting users to the portal
Creating portal apps
Creating portals for Dynamics 365 apps
Administering a portal
Adding web pages and entity forms
Exposing data in the portal
Applying a theme to a portal
Securing portal apps
Authenticating a portal app
Managing entity permissions and web roles
Summary
Questions
Further reading
15
Section 4: Automation
Section 4: Automation
16
Power Automate Flows
Power Automate Flows
Introduction to Power Automate flows
Creating Power Automate flows
Ways to create a flow
Adding steps to your flow
Using input from the previous step
Expressions
Trigger types
Connectors and data sources
The Common Data Service connector
Available connectors for Common Data Service
Triggers for the Common Data Service connectors
Common Data Service connector actions
Connecting using a service principal
Controlling flows with logic and expressions
Conditions
Loops
Variables
Administering and monitoring flows
Monitoring flows
Sharing flows
Power Automate checker
Summary
Questions
Further reading
17
Business Process Flows
Business Process Flows
Understanding business process flows
Creating business process flows
Adding stages to a business process flow
Creating a business process flow for multiple entities
Amending the Stage Category option set
Adding steps to stages
Data steps
Action steps
Flow steps
Classic workflows
Global workflows
Conditional branching in business process flows
Adding a condition
Connecting stages
Securing business process flows
Business process flow performance
Business process flow considerations
Forms and business process flows
Flows and business process flows
Business rules and business process flows
Field-level security and business process flows
Model-driven apps and business process flows
Summary
Questions
Further reading
18
UI Flows
UI Flows
Technical requirements
Introducing UI flows
Types of UI flow
Use cases for UI flows
Recording business tasks
Recording actions
Editing actions
Using attended and non-attended flows
Summary
Questions
Further reading
19
Section 5: Power Virtual Agents
Section 5: Power Virtual Agents
20
Creating Chatbots
Creating Chatbots
Introducing Power Virtual Agents
Benefits of using Power Virtual Agents
Use cases for Power Virtual Agents
Best practices for chatbots
Creating a chatbot
Sharing a bot
Publishing chatbots
Adding the chatbot to channels
Adding a chatbot to Microsoft Teams
Monitoring chatbots
Summary
Questions
Further reading
21
Configuring Chatbots
Configuring Chatbots
Defining topics
Configuring topics
Extracting topics from existing content
Adding greetings and other system topics
Configuring entities
Creating custom entities
Defining actions
Using variables
Summary
Questions
Further reading
22
Section 6: Integrations
Section 6: Integrations
23
Power BI
Power BI
Introducing Power BI
Using data with Power BI
Using pre-built Power BI apps
Connecting to the Common Data Service
Creating datasets
Using Dataflows to extract and transform data
Creating visualizations
Creating reports and dashboards
Using Power BI with Power Platform
Using Power BI with Power Apps
Using Power BI with Power Automate
Summary
Questions
Further reading
24
AI Builder
AI Builder
Introducing AI Builder
Identifying AI Builder model types
Introducing AI Builder prebuilt models
Building an AI Builder model
Preparing data for a model
Training and testing a model
Using AI Builder models
Consuming a model using canvas apps
Consuming a model using model-driven apps
Consuming a model using Power Automate
Summary
Questions
Further reading
25
Microsoft 365 Integration
Microsoft 365 Integration
Understanding integration with SharePoint
Using Power Apps with Microsoft Teams
Model-driven apps with Microsoft Teams
Canvas apps with Microsoft Teams
Project Oakdale
Using Power Automate with Microsoft Teams
Integrating Microsoft Teams with the Common Data Service
Creating Word and Excel templates
Email templates
Excel templates
Word templates
Controlling access to templates
Summary
Questions
Further reading
26
Application Life Cycle Management
Application Life Cycle Management
Working with solutions
Working with unmanaged solutions
Working with multiple solutions
Using segmented solutions
Using managed solutions
Using managed properties
Using the Solution checker
Exporting and importing solutions
Importing unmanaged solutions
Importing managed solutions
Updating a managed solution
Cloning solutions and patches
Creating a solution patch
Setting the version number for a solution patch
Cloning solutions
Importing a cloned solution
Setting the version number for a cloned solution
Summary
Questions
Further reading
27
Tips and Tricks
Tips and Tricks
Reviewing the exam objectives
Revising for an exam
Understanding how exams are structured
Understanding the question types
Preparing for the exam
Tips when taking the exam
28
Practice Test 1
Practice Test 1
Introducing the test
Instructions for the test
Practice test 1
Section 1
Scenario
Question 1
Question 2
Question 3
Section 2
Question 4
Question 5
Question 6
Question 7
Question 8
Question 9
Question 10
Question 11
Question 12
Question 13
Question 14
Question 15
Question 16
Question 17
Question 18
Section 3 – Case study
Overview
Existing environment
Problem statement
Requirements
Issues
Question 19
Question 20
Question 21
Question 22
Post-test instructions
29
Answers to Practice Test 1
Answers to Practice Test 1
Answers to practice test 1
Section 1
Section 2
Section 3 – case study
30
Practice Test 2
Practice Test 2
Introducing the test
Instructions for the test
Practice test 2
Section 1
Scenario
Question 1
Question 2
Question 3
Section 2
Scenario
Question 4
Question 5
Question 6
Section 3
Question 7
Question 8
Question 9
Question 10
Question 11
Question 12
Question 13
Question 14
Question 15
Question 16
Question 17
Question 18
Question 19
Question 20
Question 21
Question 22
Question 23
Question 24
Question 25
Section 4
Overview
Existing environment
Requirements
Issues
Question 26
Question 27
Question 28
Question 29
Question 30
Post-test instructions
31
Answers to Practice Test 2
Answers to Practice Test 2
Section 1
Section 2
Section 3
Section 4
32
Assessments
Assessments
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
33
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Dynamics 365 and Power Platform roles

This section will explore the roles for Dynamics 365 model-driven apps that are relevant to the PL-200 exam, and the impact of these roles on candidates. 

The Dynamics 365 and Power Platform roles are as follows:

  • Power Platform App Maker
  • Power Platform Functional Consultant
  • Power Platform Developer 
  • Data Analyst Associate
  • Dynamics 365 Functional Consultant
  • Dynamics 365 + Power Platform Solutions Architect

For each of these roles, one or more exams have been created.

The PL-200 exam is required for the Power Platform Functional Consultant role and is one of the two exams that is required for the Dynamics 365 Functional Consultant role. The PL-200 exam is required for the Solutions Architect role, but the true focus for the exam is the Functional Consultant role, which we will talk about next. We will cover more on the PL-200 exam later in this chapter, in the Exploring the PL-200 exam and its objectives section.

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