Form Sub-Grids in Dynamics CRM 2011
One of the new UI capabilities in CRM 2011 is the Sub-Grid. This powerful feature gives users with proper security the ability to view, create, and modify records for a related entity directly within a form. As shown in the picture below, the contact entity has been embedded as a sub-grid in the Company form, and when that sub-grid is selected the application ribbon dynamically changes to reflect the options available for that entity.
Sub-Grids can also be configured to have the following UX capabilities at runtime:
- A search box to filter on specific text
- An Index list allowing the user to jump to any records that begin with a specific letter
- A drop-down list of available views
- The ability to show/hide related charts within the sub-grid
The setup is easy. In the Form editor select the area on the form you wish to place the Sub-Grid, then on the Insert Tab of the Ribbon click on Sub-Grid. This will bring up the properties window.
From the Display Tab you define the Name, Label, Data Source, Display, and Chart options of the Sub-Grid Data.
Data Source:
Records – Allows you to select “Only Related Records” (Contextual) or “All Record Types”
Entity – Select the Entity that will be the primary source of sub-grid data.
Default View – Select the view that will be displayed by default when the sub-grid is generated.
Additional Options:
a Display the Search Box
a Display Index
a Display View Selection - Select All or choose which views to be displayed in the dropdown.
Chart Options:
Select the Default Chart to be displayed.
a Show Chart Only – Displays only the Chart and not the view grid.
a Display Chart Selection – Allows the user to choose from other available charts at runtime.
In the Formatting Tab you have the ability to choose the number of columns the Sub-Grid will occupy, as well as the number of Rows to be displayed.
Once your configuration is complete be sure to save and Publish All Customizations to the Form.
As you can see the Sub-Grid is a major enhancement to the overall functionality of Forms in CRM 2011. Not only do they provide users easier access to relevant data within a form, but they take it a step further by allowing the users a deep level of interaction with that data to make more informed decisions.