Microsoft Dataverse formula columns will soon replace calculated columns

Microsoft Dynamics 365 has three primary column (field) types with numerous available data types to choose from. The three primary column types are simple, calculated, and rollup. The data types number over a dozen, with some having different options as to how the data is displayed. Recently, Microsoft began notifying app builders and customizers whenever a new calculated column is created – via an alert banner – that calculated columns will eventually be deprecated. Because of this soon-to-be discontinuation, formula columns are now the preferred method of handling calculations in Dataverse columns.  

What is a calculated column?

According to Microsoft, “calculated [columns] let you automate manual calculations used in your business processes. For example, a salesperson may want to know the weighted revenue for an opportunity which is based on the estimated revenue from an opportunity multiplied by the probability. Or, they want to automatically apply a discount, if an order is greater than $500. A calculated [column] can contain values resulting from simple math operations, or conditional operations, such as greater than or if-else, and many others.”

How do formula columns handle calculations?

Formula columns are very similar to calculated columns, however, they use the Power Fx language to handle the calculations. Power Fx is a low-code language – similar to the language of Excel formulas – that can be used across the Power Platform The language is what drives canvas apps, what allows custom command bar buttons to function properly, and now, what allows calculations to be performed within a column. More information on… (read the full post on www.beringer.net)    

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