Attribute Editor

This XrmToolBox tool allows you to create, update and delete columns by uploading an Excel template (developed by Bram Colpaert).

Sometimes, there is a requirement to create dozens of columns either because the data dictionary is well defined before the tables are configured or the data structure from the legacy application is reused. In those cases, creating one column after another would be time-consuming (even though it gets a lot faster in the new maker portal comparing to the classic solution explorer).

To bulk create (or even update/delete) multiple columns, you can use this tool to create the columns by uploading an Excel template after populating name, type, requirement level, etc.

This tool is good only for the creation of simple columns quickly because there is no option to set the data type-specific properties (e.g. precision, date/time format, etc.). And the new data types (Customer, Choices, File) are not supported in this tool either, so Attributes Factory would be a more suitable tool if the requirement is to create columns with advanced options.

• Tool Information
• Blog mentions 1, Blog mentions 2
• Functionalities
• Bulk create, update and delete columns
• Download the Excel template of the existing columns from the selected table (Fig. 1, Pt. 4)
• Update the data in the Excel template (Fig. 2)
• Display Name, Schema Name and Logical Name of the column (Fig. 2, Pt.1)
• Data type of the column (Fig. 2, Pt.2)
• Boolean
• DateTime
• Decimal
• Double
• Integer
• Lookup
• Memo
• Money
• Picklist
• Status
• String
• Requirement level of the column (Fig. 2, Pt.3)
• None
• Recommended
• Required
• Max length for the text column
• Logical name of the table that the lookup column is targeting (Fig. 2, Pt.4)
• Local choice options (Fig. 2, Pt.5)
• Global choice name and display name (Fig. 2, Pt.6)
• Select the file and upload the Excel file (Fig. 1, Pt. 5)
• Select the actions (Fig. 1, Pt. 6)
• Create new columns (green highlighted) for extra rows in the Excel file (Fig. 1, Pt. 8)
• Update columns (light blue colour text) for the modified rows in the Excel file (Fig. 1, Pt. 10)
• Delete columns (red colour text) for the removed rows in the Excel file (Fig. 1, Pt. 9)
• Save the column changes and publish the table (Fig. 1, Pt. 2)
• Additionally, the tool can
• Refresh the list of tables (Fig. 1, Pt. 1)
• Receive donations for the tool author (Fig. 1, Pt. 3)
• Show the existing information on the table (Fig. 1, Pt. 7)
• Number of columns
• Number of columns taken in the SQL database
• Number of available columns that can be created for each data type
• Show the number of columns available to be created/updated/deleted based on the uploaded Excel file
• Similar Tool
• Attribute Bulk Updater
• Attributes Factory
• Excel to CRM Bulk Attribute Creator
• Field Creator

Fig. 1 - Excel Template Upload in Attribute Editor to Bulk Create Columns

Fig. 2 - Excel Template File for Attribute Editor

This is part of the #TooLDR series where I test and review the tools for Power Platform. You can check out the information for the other tools on this page.