What is Microsoft Dataverse?
The secure, cloud-based data platform at the heart of Dynamics 365 and Power Platform. If you're building on Microsoft's business application stack, you're building on Dataverse.
Talk to a Power Platform ExpertMicrosoft Dataverse is a cloud-hosted, relational data platform built into the Microsoft Power Platform. Think of it as a managed, secure database that's deeply aware of your business — it understands concepts like accounts, contacts, and relationships out of the box, enforces your security rules automatically, and connects natively to every Microsoft business application without any custom integration work.
Unlike a general-purpose database (SQL Server, PostgreSQL), Dataverse ships with pre-built tables for common business objects, a role-based security model, built-in business logic, an OData REST API, and native connectors to over 900 services. You configure it rather than build it from scratch.
Crucially, every Dynamics 365 application runs on Dataverse. If your organisation uses Dynamics 365 Sales, Customer Service, or Field Service, you are already using Dataverse — your data lives in Dataverse tables, your customisations are Dataverse customisations, and your security model is enforced by Dataverse.
At a glance
How Dataverse Fits Into the Stack
Dataverse isn't a standalone product — it's the data foundation that makes the rest of the Microsoft business application stack work together. Here's how each product relates to it.
Every Dynamics 365 app — Sales, Customer Service, Field Service, Customer Insights — stores its data in Dataverse tables. Customising D365 means customising Dataverse.
Model-driven Power Apps are built directly on Dataverse tables. Canvas apps connect to Dataverse via the native connector, inheriting the full security model automatically.
Power Automate flows can trigger when Dataverse rows are created, updated, or deleted — and perform full CRUD operations on any table. No polling; real-time event-driven.
Power BI connects directly to Dataverse, enabling live reports and dashboards on your operational data without ETL pipelines or data exports.
Copilot agents built in Copilot Studio can query and update Dataverse tables directly, enabling AI assistants that interact with your live business data.
Dataverse integrates with Azure Synapse Link and Microsoft Fabric, enabling near-real-time export of your operational data into a lakehouse for advanced analytics.
What Dataverse Actually Does
Beyond being a place to store rows of data, Dataverse handles a significant amount of the work that would otherwise require custom code or external services.
Tables & Structured Data
Store business data in structured tables with typed columns — text, numbers, dates, lookups, choices, and more. Standard tables like Account, Contact, and Opportunity come pre-built and map directly to Dynamics 365.
Relationships
Define one-to-many and many-to-many relationships between tables, just as you would in a relational database — but without writing SQL. Related records surface automatically in Power Apps and Dynamics 365 forms.
Built-in Business Logic
Enforce rules at the data layer using business rules, calculated columns, and rollup fields. Logic runs regardless of which app or flow triggers the change — so your data integrity is guaranteed across every touchpoint.
Role-Based Security
Control who can read, create, update, or delete records using a granular security model. Apply permissions at the table, row, or column level. Teams and business units let you mirror your real-world org structure.
API & Integration
Dataverse exposes a standard OData REST API (the Web API), plus native connectors in Power Automate and Logic Apps. Connect to 900+ external systems without custom middleware — or call the API directly from your own applications.
Dataverse Search & Files
Full-text relevance search across all your tables comes out of the box. Store files and images directly against records — no separate document management system needed for most scenarios.
Dataverse in Practice
These are the kinds of scenarios where UK mid-market organisations typically turn to Dataverse — often after outgrowing spreadsheets or SharePoint lists.
Replacing spreadsheet-based processes
Professional Services / DistributionA team managing supplier onboarding in Excel moves to a Power Apps model-driven app backed by Dataverse. They gain version history, role-based access, workflow approvals, and a proper audit trail — without a custom database project.
Extending Dynamics 365
ManufacturingA manufacturer adds custom tables to their Dynamics 365 environment to track tooling and equipment linked to specific accounts. The custom tables sit alongside standard D365 tables, share the same security model, and surface in their existing D365 forms.
Connecting systems without middleware
HealthcareA healthcare organisation integrates their patient intake forms (Power Apps) with their operational CRM (Dynamics 365 Customer Service) and their reporting platform (Power BI) — all using Dataverse as the shared data layer, with zero custom integration code.
Automating document-heavy operations
Financial ServicesA financial services firm stores document metadata in Dataverse, triggers Power Automate flows on record changes, and surfaces a full approval history to auditors through a model-driven app — replacing a tangle of SharePoint lists and email chains.
Dataverse vs the Alternatives
A practical guide to when Dataverse is the right choice — and when it isn't.
| Data store | Best for | Limitations vs Dataverse |
|---|---|---|
| Microsoft Dataverse | Operational business data, Power Platform solutions, D365 extensions, compliance-sensitive processes | — |
| SharePoint Lists | Simple team lists, document metadata, lightweight approvals | No relational model, limited business logic, weaker security granularity, performance ceiling |
| Excel / spreadsheets | Personal analysis, ad-hoc data manipulation | No multi-user concurrency, no audit trail, no API, no security model, no workflow |
| Azure SQL / custom DB | High-volume transactional data, complex querying, existing SQL expertise | Requires developer effort to build UI, security, and integration — no native Power Platform connectivity |
For most mid-market organisations building on Power Platform or Dynamics 365, Dataverse is the right default. Edge cases exist — we're happy to help you think through yours.
Common Questions
Is Dataverse the same as the Common Data Service (CDS)?
Yes. Microsoft renamed Common Data Service to Microsoft Dataverse in 2021. If you see references to CDS in older documentation or an existing implementation, they refer to the same platform.
Do I need Dynamics 365 to use Dataverse?
No. Dataverse is included with most Power Apps and Power Automate plans independently of Dynamics 365. That said, all Dynamics 365 environments run on Dataverse, so if you have D365, you already have it.
How is Dataverse different from SharePoint lists?
SharePoint lists are designed for document-centric collaboration and simple structured data. Dataverse is a purpose-built relational data platform with a proper security model, business logic layer, API, and deep integration with the Power Platform and D365. For operational business data — anything with relationships, workflow, or compliance requirements — Dataverse is the right choice.
What are 'standard tables' and do I have to use them?
Standard tables are pre-built tables in Dataverse that map to common business objects: Account, Contact, Lead, Opportunity, Product, and many more. If you're using Dynamics 365, these tables are already in use. You don't have to build on them — you can create entirely custom tables — but using standard tables where they fit means less customisation work and better compatibility with D365 apps and third-party solutions.
How is Dataverse licensed?
Licensing depends on how you access Dataverse. Dynamics 365 licences include Dataverse capacity. Power Apps per-app and per-user plans include Dataverse access. There are also standalone Dataverse storage add-ons if you need extra capacity. Microsoft's licensing for the Power Platform changes regularly, so we recommend discussing your specific scenario with us to ensure you're not over- or under-licensed.
Explore Related Topics
Dataverse is one piece of the Power Platform puzzle. These pages explain what you can build on top of it.
Power Platform Solutions
SolutionHow we use Power Apps, Power Automate, Power BI, and Copilot Studio — all backed by Dataverse — to build operational solutions for UK businesses.
Data & Analytics
SolutionTurning Dataverse data into business intelligence — from Power BI dashboards to Microsoft Fabric data platforms.
Dynamics 365 Solutions
SolutionEverything we deliver on Dynamics 365 runs on Dataverse. See how we customise and extend D365 for UK mid-market organisations.
AI & Copilot
SolutionCopilot agents that interact with your Dataverse data — enabling AI-powered assistants grounded in your real business information.
Building on Dataverse? Let's talk.
Whether you're starting a new Power Platform project, extending Dynamics 365, or trying to make sense of an existing Dataverse environment — our UK-based consultants can help you get it right.
Our initial consultation is complimentary. We'll discuss your objectives and provide honest guidance on next steps.