Ever wanted to show real-time financial data in Dynamics 365 CE without duplicating records or setting up complex sync jobs?

That’s exactly what we achieved using Virtual Tables—connecting Finance & Operations (FinOps) with Customer Engagement (CE) to display invoice data directly inside Account records.

Why Virtual Tables?

  • No data duplication – data stays in FinOps
  • Real-time access – always fresh
  • Native UI experience in model-driven apps
  • Less maintenance vs. custom sync/integration

Use Case: Invoice Visibility from FinOps in CE

Our goal was to embed invoice records under the Account form in Dynamics 365 CE using a subgrid. These records were to be fetched live from FinOps, using Virtual Tables backed by OData.

Step-by-Step Implementation

1. Install Required Solutions

  • Install the Virtual Entity Bridge for FinOps
  • Ensure Dual-write core components are set up
  • Coordinate with the FinOps team to expose OData feeds (like Invoice headers)

2. Configure Virtual Entity Data Source

Go to Advanced Settings > Administration > Virtual Entity Data Sources

Create a new data source of type OData v4 Data Provider

  • Provide the endpoint URL from FinOps
  • Use Service Principal authentication for security

3. Define the Virtual Table

In Power Apps:

  • Go to Solutions > New Table
  • Tick Virtual Table checkbox
  • Bind it to the OData source
  • Define key fields (InvoiceID, CustomerNumber, etc.)
  • Add columns like date, amount, status, etc.

4. Add Subgrid to the Account Form

Use the Form Editor on Account entity to insert a subgrid linked to the virtual table.

  • Filter it by customer number or related lookup.
  • Configure appropriate views.

Virtual Entity Subgrid

What We Gained

  • Sales teams could view invoice payment status in real-time
  • Finance data remained secure in FinOps
  • No duplication = no sync jobs = no reconciliation headaches
  • Minimal performance impact when used on-demand

Tips

  • Use indexed fields in your OData queries
  • Don’t overload subgrids with unnecessary columns
  • Test access with non-admin users
  • Apply security roles cautiously

Conclusion

If you're running both Dynamics 365 CE and FinOps, Virtual Tables are a game changer. They provide seamless access to external data with minimal setup and maximum control.