Virtual Tables with Nathan Helgren

Jan 15, 2023

In this episode, Daryl and Scott talk to a Senior Program Manager at Microsoft, Nathan Helgren, about the Virtual Tables.

Some of the highlights:

• Nathan's 25 years at MS
• What are Virtual Tables (VT)?
• Difference between a Connector and a VT
• Create virtual tables using the virtual connector provider
• Virtual Dad Jokes abound
• Virtualize all the things?
• Building Power Apps using 100% virtual tables
• What are the VT Limits? 
  • No Audit functionality
  • No Rollup or Joins between VT
• How VT security works
• GUID column is still a hard requirement for VT
• Query through TDS endpoint from SQL VT
• Benefits of pulling through data in real-time in VT
• Making more data sources available for the virtual connector provider
• Reasons to re-visit VT again for those who have used it long ago

Nathan's Info and other links:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nhelgren
• Online documents:
  • Create virtual tables using connectors https://learn.microsoft.com/power-apps/maker/data-platform/create-virtual-tables-using-connectors
  • Known limitations and troubleshooting with virtual tables https://learn.microsoft.com/power-apps/maker/data-platform/limits-tshoot-virtual-tables
  • Setting up relationships with virtual tables with Power Apps https://learn.microsoft.com/power-apps/maker/data-platform/setup-virtual-table-relationships
• Videos:
  • Virtual tables overview: https://youtu.be/weyEDIKhi18
  • Create virtual tables: https://youtu.be/ttw4bF1mT3g
  • Integrate virtual tables with Dataverse: https://youtu.be/gjum546ycpg

Got questions? Have your own tool you’d like to share? Have a suggestion for a future episode? Contact Daryl and Scott at [e-mail]. Follow us on LinkedIn and @XrmToolCast for updates on future episodes.

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Your hosts:
Daryl LaBar: https://www.linkedin.com/in/daryllabar | @ddlabar
Scott Durow: https://www.linkedin.com/in/scottdurow | @ScottDurow

Editor: Linn Zaw Win: https://www.linkedin.com/in/linnzawwin  | @LinnZawWin

Music: https://www.purple-planet.com