1. Overview

This document outlines the implementation of a custom Power Apps Component Framework (PCF) control for seamless file upload and document management in Microsoft Dynamics 365 using Azure Blob Storage.

File Upload Module

Modern, user-friendly upload interface supporting metadata like description, document type, and uploader for efficient document handling.

Sub Grid Module

• Displays uploaded documents from Azure Blob Storage within Dynamics 365 UI.
• Supports pagination and sorting for better navigation.
• Customizable visual design for enhanced UX.

2. Core Problem Statement

Standard Dynamics 365 does not provide a seamless, scalable solution for:

1. Uploading files with rich metadata.
2. Storing files cost-effectively using external storage like Azure Blob.
3. Displaying/managing uploaded files dynamically within the form UI.

3. Challenges Addressed

Inefficient File Upload Experience

• Problem: Native file upload lacks size support, metadata, and design.
• Solution: PCF control with modern UI and metadata fields.

Limited Storage Scalability

• Problem: Dynamics Dataverse storage is costly and not scalable.
• Solution: Files stored in Azure Blob Storage with folder organization.

Lack of Integrated File Management UI

• Problem: Users can’t manage files easily within Dynamics forms.
• Solution: Custom subgrid with:
  • Pagination
  • Sorting, filtering
  • File type badges
  • Preview/download
  • Responsive layout

Manual Folder & Metadata Management

• Problem: Organizing files by contact or entity requires custom development.
• Solution: Automatically creates folders and stores metadata.

4. Target Audience

• End Users: Intuitive file upload and document viewing experience.
• Admins/Devs: Easy-to-integrate and configurable solution.
• Organizations: Save storage costs and improve governance.

5. Key Features

File Upload

• Large File Support: Real-time progress bar.
• Rich Metadata: Captures document details.
• Drag-and-Drop: Smooth upload UX.
• Validation: Inline error handling.

Subgrid

• Pagination: Configurable size (e.g., 10/20 rows).
• Styling: Hover effects, resizable columns, striping.
• Interactivity: Preview/download, badges.
• Responsiveness: Supports all device sizes.

6. Integration with Dynamics 365

Step 1: Import the PCF control into Solutions.

Step 2: Open form editor for the relevant table (e.g., Contact).

Step 3: Add the rsh_FileUploader to the desired form section.

Step 4: Bind parameters

• EntityIdSchemaName
  Description: Unique identifier of the entity record used to create a folder in Blob storage.
• DocumentType
  Description: Specifies the type of documents to be listed.
• NoOfRows
  Description: Number of records to display in the sub-grid.
• BlobSASTokenEnvironmentVariableName
  Description: Holds the environment variable name that contains the Blob SAS token details.

Step 5: Save and publish the form changes.

7. Using the Control

• Select Document Type and provide Description
• Choose and upload a file
• Click “Add Document”
• Confirm in popup, see the file in subgrid

8. Blob Storage Structure

Existing Contact: File saved to d365-documents/Contact/GUID/Filename.pdf

New Contact: Folder auto-created, then file stored.

Metadata: Captured (e.g., description: "Q1 Invoice", uploader: "John Doe")

9. Assumptions

• Azure Blob container is pre-configured.
• Dynamics environment has import permissions.
• PCF packaged using Power Platform CLI.
• Preferably in a single-column layout for optimal display.

10. Considerations

• Metadata keys must follow schema consistency.
• Ensure mobile/tablet compatibility.
• Audit trail via Azure AD user tokens.
• Use CSS Grid for responsiveness.

11. Constraints

• Azure Blob availability required for file uploads.
• File size limit depends on browser/D365 limits.
• Preview support depends on browser.
• Extra logic needed for post-upload metadata retrieval.

12. Summary

This custom PCF solution modernizes Dynamics 365 file management with:

• File Upload: Metadata-rich uploads to Azure Blob.
• SubGrid: Interactive document list with preview/download.

Boosts usability, scalability, and reduces Dataverse storage dependency.