Sample Code – Update format of Autonumber attribute in Dataverse (Dynamics 365 / CRM)

At times we may have a requirement to update the format of the Auto Number dynamically / programmatically so that the new set of records take up the new format.

Let us understand through a simple example.

Right now for the below field, we have the auto-number format set as

{SEQNUM:4}

Below is the sample code to update the auto-number format programmatically.

It makes use of our RetrieveAttribute and UpdateAttribute requests.

https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/dynamics365/customerengagement/on-premises/developer/create-auto-number-attributes?view=op-9-1#autonumberformat-options

We have retrieved the attribute then have specified a new auto number format, followed by update request.

After executing the above code successfully, and creating a new contact record we can see the new number generated as per the specified format.

Sample Code –

        string ConnectionString = "AuthType = OAuth; " +
              "AppId=51f81489-12ee-4a9e-aaae-a2591f45987d; " +
              "Username=test@test.onmicrosoft.com; " +
              "Password=test; " +
              "RedirectUri=app://58145B91-0C36-4500-8554-080854F2AC97;" +
              "Url = https://test.crm.dynamics.com/;";


        CrmServiceClient svc = new CrmServiceClient(ConnectionString);

        if (svc.IsReady)
        {
            var retAttributeRequest = ((RetrieveAttributeResponse)
                             svc.Execute(new RetrieveAttributeRequest
                             {
                                 EntityLogicalName = "contact",
                                 LogicalName = "cr59f_myautonumber",
                                 RetrieveAsIfPublished = true
                             })).AttributeMetadata;

            retAttributeRequest.AutoNumberFormat = "MyFormat-{SEQNUM:6}-{DATETIMEUTC:yyyyMMddhh}-{RANDSTRING:6}";

            var updateAttrRequest = new UpdateAttributeRequest
            {
                EntityName = "contact",
                Attribute = retAttributeRequest
            };

            var updateAttrResponse = (UpdateAttributeResponse)
                svc.Execute(updateAttrRequest);

Check other posts on Auto Number attribute –

Hope it helps..