Dynamics 365 Customer Engagement Tip of the Month: How to use the new Column Offline Sync feature

For Dynamics 365 users who frequently work offline, slow sync times and large data downloads can create real challenges. By default, every column of a record is downloaded for offline use, even when many of those fields aren’t needed. This leads to longer synchronization times, unnecessary data consumption, and reduced efficiency for field users. This tip of the month blog will showcase how the new Column Offline sync feature solves this problem in D365 Customer Engagement (D365 CE) plus key benefits on why your team should adopt this simple process to streamline data management.

Use the new Column Offline Sync feature in Dynamics 365 to selectively choose which fields are synced for offline usage. This ensures that only the most relevant data is downloaded, improving sync performance and reducing data storage needs.

Steps:

1. In the Power Apps App Designer, go to Settings > General.
2. Set Can be used offline to on.
3. Under Select offline mode and profile, select the offline profile where you want to configure column-level sync.

4. Under Default (recommended), click Edit selected profile.
5. For each table enabled for offline use, you can now edit the table to include or exclude specific columns.

6. Add only the necessary columns that your mobile or offline users need to see when disconnected.
7. Save and publish your changes.

Reliable offline access is essential for field teams who need critical data on the go. The Column Offline Sync feature in Dynamics 365 Customer Engagement delivers faster sync times, reduced storage needs, and better control over offline data, ensuring users access only what they need, when they need it. At Rand Group, we help organizations optimize D365 to boost efficiency and mobility. Contact our experts for help configuring this feature or improving your Customer Engagement experience and check back next month for another tip to enhance your Microsoft investment.