Sorting Data in X++ (D365FO) Grids Using Form Data Source Events

 Introduction: In Dynamics 365 Finance and Operations, form grids often display data retrieved from a table or query. However, the default sorting applied may not always align with business requirements. Customizing sorting behavior at runtime ensures that the grid data is presented in a meaningful order for users.

This blog post demonstrates how to use the Initialized event of a form data source to apply custom sorting to a grid. We will sort the grid rows based on a specific field (DisplayOrder) in ascending order.

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Understanding the Code:

Here’s the complete code snippet:

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[FormDataSourceEventHandler(formDataSourceStr(MyFormDataSource,  MyTable), FormDataSourceEventType::Initialized)]

public static void MyFormDataSource_OnInitialized(FormDataSource sender, FormDataSourceEventArgs e)

{

    // It will clear if any other sorting is applied on the grid

    sender.queryBuildDataSource().sortClear();

    // It will add the sorting on the field

    // Use the table and field as per your own requirement in fieldNum function.

    // Use the ascending or descending order as per your own requirement

    sender.queryBuildDataSource().addSortField(fieldNum(MyFormDataSource, DisplayOrder), SortOrder::Ascending);

}

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Step 1: Registering the Event Handler

The [FormDataSourceEventHandler] attribute links the method to the Initialized event of the form data source. In this example, the MyFormDataSource data source is targeted. This event is ideal for modifying query behavior before data retrieval.

Step 2: Clearing Existing Sorting

The sortClear() method removes all previously applied sorting criteria from the query. This ensures that only your custom sorting is applied.

Step 3: Applying Custom Sorting

The addSortField method applies sorting to the DisplayOrder field. You can customize the field and sort order (ascending or descending) based on your requirements.

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Use Case: Imagine a grid that displays a list of tasks or items. If you want the rows to appear in the order of priority or any other logical sequence defined by a DisplayOrder field, this event handler ensures the sorting is applied automatically whenever the form loads.

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Advantages:

• Consistency: Ensures the grid always displays data in the desired order.
• User-Friendly: Reduces the need for users to manually sort the data.
• Dynamic Behavior: Sorting logic is applied programmatically, making it easier to adapt to changing requirements.

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Conclusion: Customizing grid sorting in D365FO is a powerful way to enhance user experience. By leveraging the Initialized event of the form data source, you can programmatically control how data is presented in the grid. Try this approach in your forms to make data presentation more intuitive and aligned with business needs.

Let us know in the comments if you found this tutorial helpful or if you have any questions! 😊