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In the quest to maximize impact and streamline operations, nonprofits are increasingly turning to technology solutions that offer robust data management capabilities. Microsoft Dataverse is one such solution, providing a secure and scalable environment for storing and managing data. In this blog, we’ll explore what Dataverse is and how nonprofits can create tables in Dataverse to enhance their data management practices.

What is Microsoft Dataverse?

Microsoft Dataverse is a cloud-based data storage solution that allows organizations to securely store and manage data used by business applications. It provides a unified data platform that integrates seamlessly with Microsoft Power Platform, Dynamics 365, and other Microsoft services. Dataverse supports both standard and custom tables, enabling organizations to model and manage their business data effectively.

Benefits of Using Dataverse for Nonprofits

• Centralized Data Management: Dataverse offers a centralized platform for storing all your nonprofit’s data, from donor information to volunteer records. This ensures data consistency and accessibility across the organization.


• Enhanced Security: With built-in security features, Dataverse ensures that your data is protected and access is controlled. This is crucial for maintaining the confidentiality of sensitive information.


• Seamless Integration: Dataverse integrates seamlessly with other Microsoft products, allowing nonprofits to leverage tools like Power Apps, Power Automate, and Dynamics 365 to build custom applications and automate workflows.


• Scalability: As your nonprofit grows, Dataverse can scale to accommodate increasing data volumes and complexity, ensuring that your data management practices remain efficient and effective.

How to Create Tables in Dataverse with Copilot

Creating tables in Dataverse is a straightforward process that allows nonprofits to organize and manage their data effectively. Here’s a step-by-step guide to get you started:

1. Sign In to Power Apps:
   
   
   
   • Begin by signing in to Power Apps. If you don’t have an account, you can create one at Power Apps.
   
   
   
   


2. Navigate to Dataverse:
   
   
   
   • In the left navigation pane, select Tables.
     

      

     
     
   
   
   
   


3. Create a New Table:
   
   
   
   • Select New table -> Create New Tables. 
     

      

     
     
   
   
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     There are different options to create the tables. Choose start with Copilot.

     
     
     

      

     
     
   
   
   • Use prompt to describe the tables you want to be created then Select Generate.
     

      

     
     
     

      

     
      
   
   
   
   


4. Add Columns:
   
   
   
   • Once Copilot has created the initial table and columns, you can utilize Copilot to add/remove additional columns, tables as needed. 
   
   
   • These columns can store various types of data, including text, numbers, dates, choices, or lookup fields. Customize each column to ensure it accurately captures the specific data required for your nonprofit’s operations
   
   
   • Refer to the image below for a detailed example on how to remove a column from the ‘Borrower’ table.
     
     
     

      

     
     
   
   
   
   


5. Set Up Relationships:
   
   
   
   • Dataverse allows you to define relationships between tables, such as one-to-many or many-to-many relationships. This helps in linking related data and ensuring data integrity.
   
   
   • Copilot can be used to remove or add relationships. 
     

      

     
     
   
   
   
   


6. Save and exit:
   
   
   
   • Select save and exit to create the tables.
   
   
   
   


7. Customize and Manage:
   
   
   
   • After your table is established, you can further customize it by incorporating forms, views, and business rules. These enhancements facilitate more efficient data management and interaction. In a future blog, we will delve into creating a model-driven application using these tables.
   
   
   • Navigate to the left-hand menu, select ‘Tables,’ and then choose the table you have created.
     
     

      

     
     
   
   
   • After your table is established, you can further customize it by incorporating forms, views, and business rules. These enhancements facilitate more efficient data management and interaction. In a future blog, we will delve into creating a model-driven application using these tables.
     
     

      

     
     
   
   
   
   

Real-World Example: Volunteer Management

Imagine a nonprofit that needs to manage its volunteer activities more efficiently. Here’s how they could use Dataverse to create a custom table for volunteer management:

1. Create a Volunteer Table:
   
   
   
   • The nonprofit creates a table named “Volunteers” with columns for volunteer name, contact information, availability, and skills.
   
   
   
   


2. Define Relationships:
   
   
   
   • They set up relationships between the “Volunteers” table and other tables, such as “Events” and “Tasks,” to link volunteers to specific activities.
   
   
   
   


3. Customize Forms and Views:
   
   
   
   • Custom forms and views are created to make it easy for staff to enter and view volunteer information.
   
   
   
   

By leveraging Dataverse, the nonprofit can streamline its volunteer management processes, ensuring that all data is accurate, accessible, and secure.

Conclusion

Microsoft Dataverse offers nonprofits a powerful platform for managing their data effectively. By creating custom tables, organizations can tailor their data management practices to meet their specific needs, enhancing efficiency and impact. Whether it’s managing donor information, tracking volunteer activities, or organizing fundraising events, Dataverse provides the tools needed to drive mission success.

Additional Resources

1. Create tables in Microsoft Dataverse – Training


2. Add a Microsoft Dataverse database – Power Platform | Microsoft Learn