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Utilizing Dynamics CRM Document Templates through the Outlook Client

Post Author: Joe D365 |

In Microsoft Dynamics CRM 2016, an awesome new feature has been introduced. It gives you the ability to create Microsoft Word and Microsoft Excel templates to easily get data out of CRM and into useful reports and spreadsheets. The best thing about the new feature, CRM Document Templates, is that it eliminates clicks when generating reports. Even if you are an avid CRM for Outlook user, you can still utilize this new feature. Today's blog will help you navigate through the CRM for Outlook client to be able to locate and use CRM Document Templates directly from Outlook.

If you are new to creating document templates, you might want to first check out the It's Never Been This Easy: One Click Document Generation in CRM 2016 blog to learn tips and tricks on creating document templates within CRM. Once you've learned how and created a document template, open Outlook and use the folder structure or navigation option to access the CRM section as shown below:

CRM Document Templates

Figure 1: CRM in Outlook

Once you've navigated to the CRM section, navigate to the entity for which you created the template. In this case, we have created a template related to Opportunities. To navigate to the Opportunity entity, go to Sales > Sales > Opportunities.

CRM Document Templates

Figure 2: Opportunity

When you find the record you want a document template for, highlight it in the list of records. Navigate to the top ribbon in Outlook where you will see a number of items to choose from along with Word and Excel templates. These are both a part of the document templates that can be created within CRM. In this case, we will select Word Templates and then select Word Templates again. You can see that we are able to view all the Word templates that have been created for this entity.

CRM Document Templates

Figure 3: Opportunity Word Templates

When you have selected the correct Word template to run, the file will download and you will be able to view the data from CRM within the template that you have created. In some cases, if your Outlook window is smaller than normal, you will not see the Word or Excel templates in the top ribbon. In this case, you will navigate to the button labeled Data within the top ribbon. This is where you will be able to find the document templates location from Outlook.

CRM Document Templates

Figure 3: Opportunity Word Templates from data button

That's all for the blog today! Want to learn more? Check out this blog: Dynamics CRM 2016: How to Easily Generate Excel Templates.

Happy CRM'ing!

Joe CRM
By Joe D365
Joe D365 is a Microsoft Dynamics 365 superhero who runs on pure Dynamics adrenaline. As the face of PowerObjects, Joe D365’s mission is to reveal innovative ways to use Dynamics 365 and bring the application to more businesses and organizations around the world.

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