Microsoft Dynamics NAV 2013 R2 includes the client extensibility API for creating Microsoft Dynamics NAV Windows client control add-ins. The client extensibility API is provided in the Microsoft.Dynamics.Framework.UI.Extensibility.dll assembly, which is installed with the Microsoft Dynamics NAV Windows client. You develop control add-ins using Microsoft Visual Studio and distribute them as Microsoft .NET Framework-based assemblies for deployment to computers that are running the Microsoft Dynamics NAV Windows client.

Design Considerations When Developing Control Add-ins

This section includes things to consider when you develop control add-ins.

Using a Control Add-in on Pages

  • You apply control add-ins on field controls of Microsoft Dynamics NAV Windows client pages.
    Important
    Control add-ins are not supported by the Microsoft Dynamics NAV Web client. You should not use a control add-in on a page that will be displayed in the Microsoft Dynamics NAV Web client.

  • You can apply control add-ins on more than one field control on a page.
  • You can use control add-ins on all page types except a RoleCenter page type.
    Note
    To include a control add-in on a Role Center, you apply the control add-in on a page that is assigned to a part of the Role Center.

  • You can use control add-ins on pages that are included in parts and FactBoxes of other pages.
  • You can design the user interface of the control add-in to fill the page part area partially or completely.
  • You cannot use control add-ins on the following areas:
    • On a field under a repeater control, this is used display data in a list, such as in a list place
    • Ribbon
    • Command bar
    • Filter pane

Binding a Control Add-in to the Database to Display Data

A control add-in can bind with data in the Microsoft Dynamics NAV database, which lets you create control add-ins that can display and update data in the database. For more information, see Binding a Windows Client Control Add-in to the Database.

Exposing Events and Calling Respective C/AL Triggers on a Page

By firing exposed events, a control add-in can call the OnControlAddin trigger or other triggers that correspond to those events on a page for a field that is equipped with the control add-in. For more information, see Exposing Events and Calling Respective C/AL Triggers from a Windows Client Control Add-in.

Exposing Methods and Properties to C/AL code

To extend UI controls on a page, you can expose methods and properties in a control add-in assembly so that they can be called by C/AL code on most any page code. For more information, see Exposing Methods and Properties in a Windows Client Control Add-in.

See Also