Microsoft have released the public preview of the updated solution explorer, providing a streamlined solution management experience.
What does the new solution explorer provide?
This new update means users will have virtually all the required solution management tools in one place without needing to switch to the classic solution explorer.
How can I view this new update?
When opening a solution, you will see that you can navigate to a new space dedicated to the solution. There are three areas: Overview, Objects and History.
Overview
This overview page contains the commands needed to manage the solution, such as Import, Export, Cloning and Publishing. Information cards are also displayed that display solution properties, solution health and a list of recently updated solution objects.
Objects
The objects page is seen as the key component of your solution. It allows you to create, add or amend the objects in your solution. To aid navigation, there is a new tree view of object types, with a total count displayed per item. By default, the major Power Platform objects are displayed: Apps, Tables, Flows, Chatbots, plus a search facility. As other object types are added to the solution, they will also appear in the tree.
History
Solution operations, including Imports, Exports and Uninstalls are displayed here. Selecting a row displays further details on each operation and displays any errors.
What other new features have been added?
New and Add existing menus
As the range of available object types is growing rapidly, one flat list was proving too long to navigate easily. Therefore, Microsoft have introduced a top-level menu that has the most used object types, expanding to object types that are used somewhat less frequently. All other object types are then displayed alphabetically in a final overflow menu.
Dependencies
A powerful feature of Power Platform objects is their ability to depend on each other so that when a solution is exported, you can ensure that all dependent objects are included, so that functionality remains intact when the solution is imported into another environment. But dependencies can become complex, and understanding what dependencies exist can be very helpful when managing solutions.
To assist users in discovering and managing these dependencies, Microsoft have added an option to see these dependencies for any object by selecting “Show dependencies” from the context menu or command bar. This will open a view that lists both dependent and required objects.
Workflows, Actions and Business process flows
Previously, classic Workflows and Actions, and Business process flows were not available to add to a solution without either navigating to the Power Automate portal or switching to the classic Solution Explorer. This has now been changed with all three types having a quick create experience option.
Performance
Performance has been a key goal that Microsoft have tried to address with their updated design. Productivity for users is a top priority, so Microsoft have aimed to improve several server-side areas. Examples include:
- The Tree view has a new dedicated API and loads in parallel to the rest of the experience
- Tables are loaded shortly after the solution has been opened to make searching the tree instant
- Lists of objects are paged, with infinite scrolling, that will load subsequent pages as you scroll down
- You can navigate between solutions and between object lists in a solution and without seeing performance degradation
- Object lists will check for new additions in the background (to avoid blocking) as the user navigates around the solution. Newly discovered objects are automatically added to the view
Summary
Although this new functionality is only in public preview for the moment, the introduction of this updated version of managing solutions is a significant update from Microsoft which will help aid the management of Power Platform solutions. If you are an existing Strategy 365 client and want to discuss the updated solution explorer with one of our team, feel free to get in touch.
