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Microsoft Dynamics CRM Activity Feed Part 3 – Working with Rules

Post Author: Joe D365 |

By definition, Microsoft Dynamics CRM Activity Feed Rules specify when posts will be automatically created for the records you choose to follow. (Make sure to read the first two installments in this series: Microsoft Dynamics CRM 2011 Activity Feed, Part 1 – Getting Started and Microsoft Dynamic CRM 2011 Activity Feed Part 2 – Working with Activity Feeds)

For those you have already installed Activity Feed, you know that you cannot create Rules using the Activity Feed Rules entity, and that CRM only creates the rules for Leads, Opportunities, Cases, and Activities.

As a System Admin you can activate, deactivate and delete systems rules. But even the System Admin cannot create rules using the Activity Feed Rules entity.

So what are you supposed to do for other entities?

1. As you add entities like Leads, Cases, Opportunities, Activities and Contacts, to the Activity Feed Configuration entity, rules will automatically be created , note the rules only apply to the 4 entities mentioned above.

Dynamics CRM activity feed rules

2. Use Workflow to create a rule.

For example you want to create a rule such that you want to create a post every time Parent Customer changes on a contact record. Use Workflow!

Here's how to create the workflow.

a. Ensure you have the privileges to create workflows

b. Go to Settings

c. Click on Processes

d. Click on New Process

- Enter Name

- Entity: Contact

- Process : Workflow

e. Change Scope to Organization

f. Starts when: Record Field Change, check off Parent Customer

g. Add Step: Create New Record

h. Select Create : Post

i. Set Properties

j. Enter your message in the Text Area

k. Click Save and Close

l. Your workflow should look like this

m. Save and Activate Workflow

Here's how the post looks on my "What's New" wall.

Are you using Activity Feeds in your organizations CRM? If so, please share your experience by commenting on this post and pass along any tips & tricks you may have found useful.

Happy CRM'ing!

Joe CRM
By Joe D365
Joe D365 is a Microsoft Dynamics 365 superhero who runs on pure Dynamics adrenaline. As the face of PowerObjects, Joe D365’s mission is to reveal innovative ways to use Dynamics 365 and bring the application to more businesses and organizations around the world.

3 comments on “Microsoft Dynamics CRM Activity Feed Part 3 – Working with Rules”

  1. Thanks Joe for your experience, please help me I want to create a job or workflow for when I "finish" or "cancel" an incident (Entity), I stop automatically following this record, you could tell me what to do?

  2. I want to create a job or workflow for when I change the status of an entity (Incident) to "finish" or "cancel" stop automatically following this record, Could you tell me what to do?

  3. Thank you for your manual
    i appreciate your help but now i haven't any idea
    the follower button is disabled and i don't know the reason..
    do you have any Idea why it doesn't work

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