Query Builder is a powerful tool, and a few quick checks along the way help you get the most out of it. This article walks through the basics of setup and execution, so you can configure Query Builder in Popdock with confidence and get great results from the start.
Setup
The recommended setup for the Query Builder is one sandbox connector and one production connector. The Query Builder publish works on a one-to-one system where one sandbox can publish to one production. Each piece is broken down into its own section below.
Sandbox
Starting with the sandbox connector, this will be tied to a sandbox environment inside Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central (Business Central) to allow for the creation of any Query Builder lists as well as the framework for any embedded widgets within Business Central. One sandbox connector is all you need, since that’s where the metadata for your lists and widgets comes from.
If you ever need to point the connector to a different environment, simply update the connector settings rather than build a new connector. Since the connector publish creates a custom extension, each connector has its own specific version tied to it.
Keeping a single connector per environment is what ensures clean, reliable publishing. Since each connector carries its own extension version, an additional connector tied to the same environment would publish a conflicting version. So, sticking with one connector per environment keeps your future publishes smooth and your existing lists working.
Production
Your production connector is static. Because you won’t be changing the production environment in Business Central, you’ll rarely need to adjust any settings within it once it’s set up. As mentioned earlier, Query Builder runs on a one-to-one system, so keeping a single sandbox publishing to a single production is what keeps your production environment clean and your custom lists intact — it ensures consistent extension versions and protects any custom lists you’ve built using Query Builder lists as a base.
Within the production connector, you’ll bring in the lists created in your sandbox rather than building new Query Builder lists directly. This is by design: Business Central includes security around publishing extensions directly to production from non-AppSource locations, so the sandbox-to-production flow keeps your published lists secure and consistent.
Execution
Publishing the Query Builder follows a few clear steps that keep everything running smoothly. The main pieces are the sandbox publish, production publish, and embedded widgets. They are broken down as follows:
Sandbox Publish
When publishing your sandbox, you will be creating a baseline extension that will be published into your sandbox account in Business Central that contains the metadata for your custom work. To publish:
1. Select Publish in your sandbox connector.
2. Select Select all so every list and widget is included. Only the items you select will be available after publishing, so choosing everything keeps your work complete.
3. Select the Publish button.
This publishes all your Query Builder lists and embedded widgets into your sandbox and creates the extension named Popdock Customizations.
Production Publish
Publishing to production is a simpler process than publishing to sandbox.
1. In your production connector, select Publish.
2. The screen will show a dropdown list containing all available sandbox environments to publish from. If you follow the one-to-one format, there will only be a single option to select from.
3. Select Publish. A confirmation screen appears first, showing exactly what will change with the lists in your production connector.
4. Review the changes to confirm they’re correct, then select Publish.
Your lists and widgets are now live in your production environment and connector, ready to use.
Embedded Widgets
Embedded widgets for Business Central have their own unique process for being implemented into your environments.
1. From the main menu, select Widgets.
2. Select the widget you want to embed and click the Edit button.
3. In the Environment section, select your sandbox connector from the Connector dropdown list. You can then select the page you want to embed on, and whether you want it to be embedded as a FastTab or a FactBox.
4. Once all that is set, you will go into your sandbox connector and publish it using the same method as your Query Builder lists.
5. To get them into production, follow the same process as Query Builder lists to get them embedded in production as well.
Setup and Execution Summary
This covers the standard setup and execution of Query Builder in Popdock. To explore any piece in more depth, check out the dedicated articles in our Knowledge Base.
You can also find this information right inside Popdock — just select the question mark button in the upper-right corner to open the in-app help sections.
If you have any more questions on the setup and execution of Query Builder, please reach out to support@eonesolutions.com. Our team would be happy to assist you.
