Introduction

Currently, creating data structures that require both parent-child relationships and multi-language support in dropdown fields forces developers into a corner. The available workarounds—either using two separate tables (lookups) or multi-language optionsets—each have their limitations. Lookups only display the primary field (limited to one language), while optionsets, though multi-lingual, don't support inherent parent-child relationships.

Problem Statement:

Limited Out-of-the-Box Functionality:

• Developers must choose between establishing a parent-child relationship (via lookup fields) and offering multi-language support (via optionsets).

Custom Code Workarounds:

To achieve both requirements, users are forced to implement either:

• A custom JavaScript solution that filters optionset values based on a parent value using a custom mapping, or
• A plugin that intercepts the lookup retrieve call to fetch and display translated values from an alternative field.

Customer Frustration:

• The necessity for custom code not only increases development and maintenance overhead but can also be a deal breaker for customers expecting a more seamless, out-of-the-box experience.

Proposed Solution:

Implement a new field type or extend existing functionality within Dynamics 365 to allow:

Native Support for Parent-Child Relationships:

• Enable developers to define a hierarchy between dropdown values directly within the system.

Multi-Language Display:

• Allow the dropdown fields to display translated values based on the user’s language settings, without additional custom coding.

Configuration-Driven Approach:

• Offer administrators an intuitive interface to manage the mapping and translations, so that filtering of child values based on the parent selection happens automatically and seamlessly.

Benefits:

Reduced Development Overhead:

• Eliminates the need for custom JavaScript or plugin development, leading to lower maintenance costs and fewer potential bugs.

Improved User Experience:

• Provides end-users with an interface that adapts to their language preferences and maintains logical data hierarchies.

Increased Adoption:

• Enhances Dynamics 365’s appeal to customers with global operations, thereby reducing frustration and increasing satisfaction.