Microsoft Releases New Exciting Feature ‘Multi-Select Option Set’

Microsoft released a new exciting feature “Multi-Select Option Set” feature as a part of Dynamics 365 July 2017 Update.

Let’s first look at a brief history of option sets, we are having Option Sets functionality in CRM for a very long period. But these Option Sets are very limited to the entities in which they are created. To overcome this problem Microsoft brought the concept of “Global Option Sets” with CRM 2011 so that multiple entities can re-use the same Option Sets. But there was no concept of Multi-Select Options.

In the Past to achieve similar functionality like “Multi-Select Option Set,” we had to either create multiple checkbox fields or we had to make use of JavaScript tweaks. But with the Dynamics 365 July 2017 Update “Multi-Select Option Set” will be available as new Attribute Data Type.

This new Data type “Multi Select Option Set” is now available when creating the new field as shown below.

As any other attribute type, these can also be easily added to forms, views, quick create forms and editable grids.

On the form, a value can be easily searched by typing. There is also an option to Select All OR clear the selected items.

This new attribute type is also available to be used in Advance finds and fetch XML’s

Note: Information provided in this article is based on July 2017 Update Preview. This feature may change during release and is at Microsoft Discretion.