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Nikhil Sarpatwari
Nikhil Sarpatwari

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Debugging in Dynamics 365 CE – Part 5: Security & Access Issues

#security #microsoft #powerplatform #powerapps

So far, we’ve tackled:

  • Part 1 – Debugging JavaScript
  • Part 2 – Debugging Plugins in DEV
  • Part 3 – Debugging in Sandbox & Production
  • Part 4 – Debugging Power Automate Flows & Integrations

Now let’s talk about one of the most frustrating but common pain points: security and access issues in Dynamics 365 CE.

Why Security Debugging Is Tricky

When a user says:

“I can’t see this record”

or

“The button is greyed out”

…it could be due to:

  • Security roles
  • Business units
  • Teams
  • Hierarchy settings
  • Field-level security
  • Or even a missing environment variable for an app control

Debugging Techniques

  1. Security Role Checker

    Use the Check Access button (on record ribbon) to see why a user can/can’t access.

    It breaks down privileges (Read, Write, Append, AppendTo, etc.).

  2. User Access via Teams & Business Units

    Remember: a user’s effective access = roles assigned directly + roles via teams.

    Always confirm the user is in the right business unit — roles are BU-scoped!

  3. Field-Level Security

    Sometimes the form loads but specific fields are hidden/locked.

    Verify if field-level security profiles are blocking access.

  4. Apps & Controls

    With model-driven apps, sometimes the issue isn’t security — it’s App Designer restrictions or environment variables missing after deployment.

  5. Audit & Logs

    Use the Audit log to check if an action was attempted but blocked.

    Pair this with plugin trace logs to see if it failed mid-execution.

Example: Using Check Access

On any record → click ... → Check Access → see a list of users/teams and their effective privileges.

This is a lifesaver when you’re stuck between “user swears they had access yesterday” and “nothing changed.”

Key Takeaways

  • Start with Check Access — it narrows the problem fast.
  • Always map roles + teams + business unit to understand effective permissions.
  • Don’t forget field-level security, app access, and environment variables.
  • Sometimes it’s not a bug — it’s just security doing its job.

📖 Earlier posts in the series:

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