Reference External Javascript File in CRM Form Events Asynchronously

A few months ago I posted a method of importing external javascript files into CRM forms. See 'Reference External Javascript File in CRM Form Events'.

Some of you may have noticed an issue with this method when including multiple exeternal files. This is due to the fact that the process runs asynchronously while the rest of the code continues to execute.

A friend of mine Sam Manins managed to come up with a full work around for this. Thanks to Sam, the function below can be pasted into your OnLoad event for a more reliable method to import Javascript files into your CRM forms.

The idea is to invoke the command to add your external file, then wait for confirmation that the file was imported. Only then should we allow the code to continue. See comments within the code.

//Paste this function somewhere into your form "OnLoad" event
function includeExternalJSFiles(sec)
{
var errFound = 0;
// load the Ascentium js file into a Script element - do not do this on recursive calls to this function
if (sec == 1)
{
//Include the CRM js file
var Ascentium_Script = document.createElement("script");
Ascentium_Script.language = "javascript";
Ascentium_Script.src = "MyJSFunctions1.js"
document.getElementsByTagName("head")[0].appendChild(Ascentium_Script);
//Include another js file
var Ascentium_Script = document.createElement("script");
Ascentium_Script.language = "javascript";
Ascentium_Script.src = "MyJSFunctions2.js"
document.getElementsByTagName("head")[0].appendChild(Ascentium_Script);
//Add any more JS files you need
}
try
{
//Each file needs to have a simple function(with a unique name) that does nothing that can be called.
//then you can call this finction to see if the file has been imported yet.
MyJSFunction1_STUB();//this function is contained in the external JS file
MyJSFunction2_STUB();//this function is contained in the external JS file
}
catch(err)
{
//error found(probably could not find the function
errFound = 1;
}
if (sec < 5 && errFound == 1)
{
sec++;
setTimeout("includeExternalJSFiles(" + sec + ")", 100); //waits 0.1 second before trying the stubs again.
}
else
{
if (errFound == 1)
//Did not work after 5 attempts (0.5 seconds)
//Try a longer time period or output an error message for the user
//alert("Did not work: " + sec);
else
//All functions were found (all files imported)
//No need to do anything. Just exit functions and continue code
//alert("Success after " + sec + " attempts. ");
}
}

Remember to have a unique stub function to run in each external file. the function needs no do anything. Just needs to be there(See sample below).

//this function would be found in the file MyJSFunction1.js
function MyJSFunction1_STUB()
{
//stub function (does nothing)
var a;
}

Finally you need to call the function to import your Javascript files:

includeExternalJSFiles(0);

The above example makes the call to add the files to the page header, then continues to try to run a functions in each file every 0.1 seconds until successful or until 5 failed attempts. Different systems under different workloads may perform the job at different speeds. Feel free to modify the code to suit your needs.

And improvement on this function could be to also pass in the name of each Javascript file in an array, making it more generic.

A big thank you goes to Sam Manins for the solution.

Dynamics CRM Usergroup Sydney Returns!

The Sydney CRM usergroup was reopened last night(Microsoft building, North Ryde). Organised by Catherine Eibner and Guy Riddle, the event will be held every 4th Tuesday of every month.

This has been a long anticipated step forward for the Sydney CRM users and consultants and a great place to meet people in your field of business.

This month's discussions were over the newly release CRM Accelerators (presented by Guy), with detailed discussions on Notifications, eService and Events Management. The remaining Accelerators will be discussed next month.

Visit www.mscrm.com.au for more information and upcoming meeting event dates.

No need to retrieve entity in order to update attribute values

Scenario:

We have an existing account with a known GUID and would like to update their phone number.

Solution:

Common sense and traditional logic would often suggest to first open the specific account record, make modifications to all specific attributes, followed by update and close the entity:

ColumnSet cols = new ColumnSet();
cols.AddColumn("telephone1");
account myAccount = new account();
myAccount = oService.Retrieve(EntityName.account.ToString(), myAccountID, cols) as myAccount;
myAccount.telephone1 = "02 1234 1234";
oService.Update(myAccount);

The above code, though it works, contains a number of entirely unnecessary steps. For a far more efficient code block, see the following with an identical outcome:

account myAccount = new account();
myAccount.accountid = myAccountID;
myAccount.telephone1 = "02 1234 1234";
oService.Update(myAccount);

Note that there is no need to retrieve the targeted record before making modifications. As long as we set the entity ID to an existing GUID, the CRM SDK will take care of the rest. The stored value in the "telephone1" attribute will be replaced with the new value for the specified account GUID "myAccountID".

Action Cancelled: MSCRMKeyGenerator - 18949

When openning the CRM shortcut you promptly receive the message "Action Cancelled"

Error log details:

Source:   MSCRMKeyGenerator

Event ID: 18949

Current active key (KeyType : CrmWRPCTokenKey) is expired. This can indicate that a key is not being regenerated properly. Current Active Key : CrmKey(Id:c2e0c738-dc7a-dd11-b61e-00188b3466e9, ScaleGroupId:00000000-0000-0000-0000-000000000000, KeyType:CrmWRPCTokenKey, Expired:True.....

I recently came across this error a few times. On all occasions I had no luck in sorting it out the usual way:

Start services.msc and ensure that Microsoft CRM Asynchronous Processing Service is started.

If like in my case, you find that this service was already running, then save yourself hours of scratching and simply restart the SQL Server housing the CRM database. 

I'm yet to find the specific reason behind this error.

Holiday travel through India

I've just returned from holidays over the past couple of months. Its been a holiday long awaited and well enjoyed.

I've just returned from India as a first time tourist. I managed to travel the Ragestan region and south through to goa on a death trap on two wheels... Royal Enfield 500. I can't believe those bikes were built in the first place.. India is still mass producing these 1950's mostrocities as the best model of two wheel transport in the country.

the country is a living photograph.

I'm happy to report NO food poisoning AND was not shot a single time by terrorists.

Merry Christmas everyone.

ps: I've just discovered that all 8 CRM 4.0 Accellerators have been released in my absence. This is great news. I'm looking forward to playing with them over the next few days.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year

Well here it is again... It feels only a month ago I recovered from last new year's frivolities.

Wishing you all the best this Christmas and new year!!!

More Microsoft Dynamisc CRM Accelerators Released

Another CRM Accelerator was released yesterday. 

They are available on CodePlex along with full source code as promised:

Download them now…

CRM Notifications Accelerator

Extended Sales Forecasting Accelerator

Event Management Accelerator

Incedentally, if you're not familiar with these tools, here's a video introduction to CRM Accelerators presented on Microsoft's Channel 9 by Ruben Krippner.