Low-Code Plug-ins in Dataverse: A Look at a New Exciting Preview Feature

I personally find this feature to be one of the most promising to come.
Developing custom plug-ins for Microsoft Dataverse (within the Power Platform) has traditionally required a solid grasp of C# coding and the Plug-in Registration Tool. However, the rise of “low-code” tools in the Power Platform ecosystem has sparked a new era of streamlined development. Enter Low-Code Plug-ins: a preview feature currently available only for tenants in the United States. In this article, we’ll explore what Low-Code Plug-ins are, why they matter, and how you can begin implementing them to extend your Dataverse environment—without writing extensive lines of code.


What Are Low-Code Plug-ins?

Low-Code Plugins aim to simplify plug-in creation by offering a more visual approach to logic and automation within Dataverse, using Power FX. Instead of writing extensive C# code, developers and makers can define triggers, conditions, and actions in a user-friendly interface. The result is a custom piece of functionality that runs within Dataverse—much like a traditional plug-in—yet requires fewer developer resources and less time to implement.
At the time of writing this article, this feature is still in preview on US tenants only. You can access it from the Dataverse Accelerator application.



Instant Plug-in

An Instant Plug-in is custom logic that runs in response to business events (for example, a record is created or updated). It is designed to simplify customizations by using Power Fx expressions (the same language as Power Apps). Integrated directly into Dataverse, they run on the server with performance comparable to traditional plug-ins. Instant plug-ins run on demand. They can be triggered from the following sources :

• Power Apps
• Power Automate
• Copilot

The interface is very user friendly. For one instant plug-in, you can have a name, multiple input/output parameters possible, and the code expression which of course is expected in Power FX. I made my own test with a function named is2025, that takes an input string following this format yyyyMMdd and then returns a boolean saying if yes or no the given date is in 2025. I have been able to run this in Power Apps application and in a Flow, and to works well.


After being saved and published, the plug-in is available in everywhere in the environment as an unbound action. I made a test from Power Automate where it can be complex sometimes to write complex expressions.
In order to have the plug-in available in your Canvas Apps, you need to include the "Environment" as a source in the Data section. Once available, you can invoke the function in any formula within the app.

Remember all your apps with complex function that you need to copy and paste between multiple screens? You will no longer need this in the future.



Automated Plug-in

Automated Plugins are another form of low-code plugins that automate business processes in the background. Unlike Instant Plugins, they do not accept input parameters and they run asynchronously after a record is created, updated, or deleted.

Ideal for actions that don't need an immediate response, such as sending emails, creating linked records, or bulk updates. These plugins are designed to handle large volumes of data without slowing down the user interface.


Implementation Scenarios

• Data Validation: Enforce specific business rules when records are created or updated. For instance, if a field must never be empty or must adhere to a particular format, the plugin can block or correct the invalid input.
• Automated Field Calculations: When a row is created or changed, trigger calculations like discounts, commission rates, or date-based updates without writing a custom C# handler.
• Workflow Extensions: Extend existing Power Automate flows with precise timing or triggered events that happen deeper in the Dataverse lifecycle, such as post-commit actions on records.
• Cross-Table Processes: For example, when an Order is placed, create a follow-up task in a Task table, or update a related Customer record with new information.

Best Practices

Low-code plugins (Instant and Automated) can be tested efficiently with the Dataverse Accelerator, a tool that facilitates the creation, validation, and deployment of low-code plugins in Dataverse. This environment allows you to simulate the execution of plugins in different scenarios in order to verify their correct functioning before putting them into production. With the Dataverse Accelerator, it is possible to trigger tests in real time or deferred, to examine the results directly in the interface, and to quickly correct any logic errors. This tool also offers debugging and traceability features for executions, allowing makers to ensure the robustness and reliability of low-code automations.


Conclusion

Low-Code Plugins represent a major step forward in simplifying custom automation within Dataverse, democratizing plugin creation for Power Platform users who might not be seasoned C# developers. Although the feature is currently in preview and limited to US tenants, it highlights Microsoft’s commitment to empowering makers with robust, easy-to-use development tools. By combining the flexibility of traditional plugins with the convenience of low-code design, organizations can accelerate solution delivery, enhance maintainability, and innovate faster—all while keeping complexity to a minimum. If you’re in a US-based environment, this is the perfect time to explore Low-Code Plugins and see how they can transform your Dataverse customizations!