Understanding the API Playground for Custom API Testing in Dynamics

You can use the API Playground to try out OData queries or custom APIs in Dynamics and Dataverse. This tool gives you a place that is ready to use and already logged in. You work with real data and see results right away. Developers and people who connect systems use it to test new ideas, look at answers, and learn how different requests work.

Key Takeaways

• The API Playground helps you test OData queries and custom APIs in Dynamics. You do not need extra setup or logins.

• You can use real data safely. You see results right away. This helps you fix problems and try new ideas.

• The tool works with many API types. It has features like filtering, sorting, batch operations, and business logic testing.

• Security roles keep your data safe. They control who can access data. You do not need extra authentication steps.

• Throttling limits protect the system. They control how many requests you send. This helps keep everything fast and stable.

API Playground Overview

Key Features

The API Playground lets you try out APIs in Dynamics and Dataverse. This tool works in your web browser. You do not need to log in or set up anything. It is ready for you to use right away. The workspace looks like Postman. You can send requests and see answers fast.

This tool is made for Dynamics 365 developers. You can fix problems with integrations and test data live. Other tools, like Testfully and DronaHQ, also help test APIs for Dynamics 365. But the API Playground is made just for Dynamics. It is simple and quick to use.

Tip: Try new queries and custom APIs in the API Playground before using them in your main system.

Here are some features you might like:

• You get access to Dataverse without logging in

• You can test OData queries and custom APIs right away

• The interface is like Postman for sending and seeing results

• It connects easily with other systems to help you fix problems

Supported APIs

You can test many kinds of APIs in the API Playground. The table below shows what you can use:

You can use these APIs directly. You can try them out and see how they work with your data.

OData Queries

Querying Data

OData queries help you get data from Dynamics in many ways. OData has different functions to help you work with your data.

• Composable functions let you get groups of entities. You can use $select to pick columns. You can use $filter to narrow results.

• Query functions help you filter data with parameters. For example, LastXHours finds records from the last few hours.

• Bound functions link to certain entities. You add the function name to the entity’s URL, like RetrieveUserPrivileges for a user.

• Unbound functions do not connect to any entity. You call them by their name, such as WhoAmI.

• Some functions need a record reference. You pass this using the @odata.id tag, like with RetrievePrincipalAccess.

• You can use parameter aliases to handle long URLs or tricky types like dates.

OData helps you handle big sets of data. Pagination uses @odata.nextLink to get data in small pieces. You can use $batch to update many records at once. Webhooks give real-time updates to keep your data fresh. Error handling and retry features help your queries work well. Caching and rate limits make things faster.

Tip: Use $expand to add related entities to your results for a better view.

Filtering and Sorting

OData gives you strong tools for filtering and sorting data. The $filter option lets you set rules to find records you want. You can use equality, comparison, and logical operators. Functions like endswith help match text. The $orderby option sorts results by fields. You can sort by text, numbers, or choice columns. When you sort by choice columns, the system uses their number values.

You can use $select to pick fields to see. Use $expand to show related data. Use $top to limit how many records you get. Use $skip to move past records you do not need. Sorting and paging work together. If you want results to stay in order across pages, sort by a unique field. Paging uses a cookie to remember your spot. If you do not set an order, results may come back in random order.

Custom APIs

Extending Dynamics

Custom APIs let you add new things to Dynamics. You can make your own actions and functions for your business. These APIs help you link Dynamics with other apps or services. You can use them to do tasks automatically or share data. Custom APIs help Dynamics work better for your team.

You can test custom APIs with a tool inside Dynamics. Open the tool and pick the custom API you want to test. Enter the details you need and send your request. You will see the results right away. This helps you check if your custom API works. You do not need other tools because you test inside Dynamics. The tool is safe and easy for trying new ideas.

Note: You can also test OData queries and Instant Plugins here. This saves time and helps you find problems before using APIs in real projects.

Business Logic Integration

Custom APIs help you add business rules to Dynamics. You can use them to run special steps when things happen. For example, you can check if a customer has enough credit before a sale. You can set up a custom API to do this check each time someone makes an order.

Before you start, make sure you have these things:

• Access to Dataverse

• The Dataverse accelerator app installed

• Membership in the system customizer security role

• The API Playground in the Dataverse accelerator app

• The Dataverse accelerator app in your environment (it comes by default in new environments)

• Custom APIs registered in your Dataverse environment

Custom APIs let you control how Dynamics works. You can make the system follow your business rules and connect with other tools. This helps you work faster and more accurately.

API Playground in Action

Testing with Postman

You can use Postman to test OData queries and custom APIs in Dynamics. The API Playground makes this process simple. You work with real data and see results quickly. Here is what you do:

1. Open Postman and connect to your Dynamics environment using the API Playground.

2. To read multiple records, select the "Read (Multiple record)" request. Uncheck the $filter box and check the $top box. Send the request. You see a 200 OK status and the top record in your results.

3. To create new records, choose the "Create (Multiple record)" request. Review the body. It shows two new records with CustomerGroupId values "CusGrp001" and "CusGrp002". Send the request. You get 200 OK and 201 Created status codes.

4. To update records, pick the "Update (Multiple record)" request. The body updates the "Description" field for both records. Send the request. You see 200 OK and 204 No Content status codes.

5. To delete records, select the "Delete (Multiple record)" request. The body lists the CustomerGroupId values to delete. Send the request. You receive 200 OK and 204 No Content status codes.

Tip: You can use Azure app registration to authenticate your requests. This keeps your data safe and lets you test all CRUD operations.

You can repeat these steps for different entities and custom APIs. The API Playground helps you try new ideas without risk.

Interpreting Results

When you test APIs, you need to check if your results are correct. The API Playground gives you tools to help with this. Here is what you should do:

1. Use a sandbox environment with mock data. This lets you test API calls safely. You do not change live data.

2. Create realistic mock data using OpenAPI specifications. Contract-driven tools or mock-server frameworks help you cover edge cases.

3. Use the interactive request builder UI in the API Playground. You can change inputs, send requests, and see responses in real time.

4. Watch for error feedback. The API Playground shows validation errors and marks fields with messages. You get instant guidance.

Note: Always check the status codes in your results. Codes like 200 OK, 201 Created, and 204 No Content show your requests worked. Error codes help you fix problems.

You can use these steps to validate your API responses. You learn how your queries and custom APIs behave. You find issues before they reach your main system.

Common Troubleshooting Tips

• If you see unexpected results, check your request body for mistakes.

• If you get an error code, read the message. It tells you what went wrong.

• Try using mock data to test edge cases.

• Use the API Playground to experiment with different parameters. You see how changes affect your results.

Callout: The API Playground lets you test, learn, and fix problems before you use APIs in real projects.

Typical Scenarios for Experimentation

You can use these scenarios to explore the full power of the API Playground. You gain confidence in your integrations and customizations.

Security and Throttling

Securing APIs

You must keep your data safe when testing APIs in Dynamics. The system uses security roles to decide who can use the API Playground. You need the right permissions, like the System Customizer role or similar access. The API Playground works inside Dataverse, so you do not set up extra authentication. You do not need to handle tokens or passwords during API calls. The platform checks your security role before letting you use the tool. This keeps your environment safe from people who should not get in.

Tip: Make sure you have the newest Data Accelerator app and a Dataverse database version of at least 9.2.22122.00148. This helps you meet all the rules for safe API testing.

Here is what built-in security gives you:

• You test APIs without extra logins.

• You use your Dataverse permissions.

• You do not handle authentication tokens.

• You keep your data safe with role-based access.

Handling Throttling

Dynamics 365 uses throttling to keep things running well. Throttling sets a limit on how many API requests you can send at once. You can send up to 52 requests at the same time for each user. If you send more than this, you get an error message. The system also checks how much server power you use, like CPU and memory. If you use too much, you get an error about high resource use.

Note: Throttling helps keep the service fast and working for everyone.

You can use these ideas to stay within throttling limits:

• Make your API usage better.

• Set priorities for important requests.

• Use parallel requests, but do not go over the limit.

Throttling keeps the system safe and your connections strong. You learn to plan your API calls and avoid hitting the limits.

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You get lots of good things from using the API Playground for OData and custom API testing in Dynamics.

• You can test APIs easily without setting up hard steps or logging in again.

• You see what happens right away and can fix mistakes early.

• You use real data and can try out new ideas in a safe way.

• Your data stays safe because of the roles and permissions already set up.

The API Playground lets you look around, try things, and make your work better. You learn new skills and finish your projects faster. Use it the next time you work on Dynamics.

FAQ

What is the API Playground in Dynamics?

The API Playground is a tool that lets you test OData queries and custom APIs in Dynamics and Dataverse. You use it to see real results and try new ideas without extra setup.

What can you test with the API Playground?

You can test OData queries, custom APIs, and instant plug-ins. The tool helps you read, create, update, and delete records. You also check business logic and see how your changes work.

What do you need to access the API Playground?

You need the right security role, like System Customizer, and the Dataverse accelerator app. The tool works inside Dataverse, so you do not need extra logins or tokens.

What happens if you reach the API throttling limit?

If you send too many requests, the system gives you an error message. You must wait or reduce your requests. Throttling keeps the system fast and safe for everyone.

What makes the API Playground different from other API tools?

The API Playground is built for Dynamics and Dataverse. You get a preauthenticated workspace. You test with real data and see results right away. The tool is simple and ready to use.