Ribbon Workbench for Command Bar Customizations

Introduction

Customizing user interfaces in Microsoft Dynamics 365 has evolved significantly over time, with the Command Bar replacing the older Ribbon interface in most scenarios. Despite the shift, the Ribbon Workbench remains a crucial tool for customizing command bars, especially for model-driven apps. It empowers developers and administrators to tailor the UI for better user experience, improved productivity, and process automation.

This article provides a comprehensive guide on Ribbon Workbench, its role in Command Bar customization, and practical examples of its implementation.

What is the Ribbon Workbench?

Ribbon Workbench is a tool originally developed by Scott Durow that allows Dynamics 365 developers to customize the Ribbon and Command Bars in a visual, drag-and-drop environment. It’s particularly useful for inserting custom buttons, hiding existing ones, or triggering JavaScript functions or workflows directly from the command bar.

The Ribbon Workbench is typically used within the XrmToolBox or as a managed solution added to the CRM environment.

Key Features

Drag-and-drop interface for adding buttons and controls
Hide or disable standard buttons based on conditions
Add custom JavaScript or HTML web resources to buttons
Integrate commands with workflows, Power Automate flows, or custom actions
Control button visibility based on user roles or form states

Command Bar vs Ribbon

The Command Bar is a simplified version of the Ribbon, offering a cleaner, modern look in the Unified Interface (UCI). However, under the hood, they share the same underlying XML structure. This means the Ribbon Workbench still operates on the same principles, making it perfectly compatible with Command Bar customizations.

Why Customize the Command Bar?

Simplify the user interface by hiding unused options
Add custom functionality specific to business requirements
Improve navigation and reduce user errors
Automate routine tasks (e.g., triggering a flow or custom script)
Ensure role-based access to features

Installing Ribbon Workbench

Option 1: Via XrmToolBox

Download and install XrmToolBox.
Open the tool and connect to your Dynamics 365 environment.
Go to Plugin Store and search for “Ribbon Workbench”.
Install the tool and open it.

Option 2: As a Managed Solution

Download the Ribbon Workbench solution from the Develop 1 website.
Import the solution into your environment via Advanced Settings > Solutions > Import.
Once imported, you can open it from within Dynamics 365.

Understanding the Ribbon Workbench Interface

When you open Ribbon Workbench, you must load a solution that contains the entities whose Command Bars you want to customize.

Components

Solution Explorer: Select the solution and entity you want to customize.
Ribbon Designer Canvas: A visual interface where you can drag and drop controls.
Command Definitions: Manage actions assigned to buttons.
Enable/Display Rules: Set logic for when buttons appear or are enabled.

Basic Customization: Adding a Custom Button

Let’s walk through adding a button to the Account entity’s main form command bar.

Step 1: Create a New Solution

In Dynamics 365, go to Advanced Settings > Solutions.
Create a new solution and include the Account entity (include only the entity and not all components unless needed).
Export the solution and load it into Ribbon Workbench.

Step 2: Load the Solution into Ribbon Workbench

Open Ribbon Workbench from XrmToolBox or Dynamics.
Select the solution you created.

Step 3: Add a Custom Button

Locate the main form ribbon (Home) for the Account entity.
Drag a Button control from the toolbox to the Command Bar area.
Set properties:
- Id: custom.account.MyCustomButton
- Label: My Custom Action
- Icon: Use a web resource if needed (optional).
- ToolTip: Click to execute custom logic

Step 4: Create a Command

Right-click the button and select Customize Command.
Add an Action: JavaScript, workflow, or custom action.
For JavaScript:
- Library: Add the JavaScript web resource.
- Function: Name of the function to execute.

Step 5: Set Display or Enable Rules (Optional)

Use Display Rules to show/hide buttons conditionally (e.g., only for certain users or when fields have values).
Use Enable Rules to make buttons clickable based on logic (e.g., only when a record is active).

Step 6: Publish Customizations

Click Publish in the Ribbon Workbench toolbar.
Wait for the changes to be published. This may take a few minutes.

Advanced Scenarios

1. Role-Based Button Visibility

You can restrict buttons to specific Security Roles:

Create a Display Rule.
Use the Mscrm.RoleBasedRule and specify the allowed roles.
Associate the rule with the command.

2. Launch a Power Automate Flow

Create a flow with a trigger like When an HTTP request is received.
In the button command, use JavaScript to call the flow’s URL.
Use XMLHttpRequest or fetch() to make the POST call.

3. Open a Custom Dialog

With JavaScript and the Xrm.Navigation.openDialog() or navigateTo() API, you can launch modal dialogs:

Xrm.Navigation.navigateTo({
  pageType: "webresource",
  webresourceName: "custom_/MyDialog.html"
}, {
  target: 2,
  width: { value: 500, unit: "px" },
  height: { value: 400, unit: "px" }
});

Troubleshooting Tips

Button not appearing? Check Display Rules and make sure the entity and form type are correct.
Changes not applying? Ensure you have selected the correct solution and entity.
Slow publishing? Ribbon customizations involve recalculating XML. Be patient and avoid publishing repeatedly.
JavaScript not triggering? Double-check function names and parameters. Use browser developer tools to debug.

Best Practices

Always use a separate solution for Ribbon Workbench customizations to avoid overwriting unintended components.
Test customizations in a sandbox before deploying to production.
Name your commands and controls with a clear, consistent naming convention.
Use web resources hosted on a Content Delivery Network (CDN) for performance.
Keep custom scripts modular and well-documented.

Limitations

No support for canvas or model-driven app customization through Power Apps directly (as of now).
Complex enable/display rules can be hard to manage visually.
UI updates in future releases might break existing customizations.
No native support for custom PCF controls through Ribbon Workbench (must be added via form customization).