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How to Create a Model and Project in D365 F&O Using Visual Studio

Caf2Code July 2, 2021 2 min read

Now that we’ve set up our D365 F&O VS environment, we can create a model and project in visual studio for our simple calculator project.

Editor's update — June 2026: The core workflow below is still accurate: in current finance and operations apps you create a model from the Dynamics 365 > Model Management > Create model menu, supply the model name, publisher, and description, leave Create new package selected, choose your referenced models, and then create a Unified Operations project — matching Microsoft's current Models and packages guidance and the create models and data model elements tutorial. What has changed since 2021 is the dev environment that hosts these tools: development is now done in Visual Studio 2022, and Tier-1 developer environments have moved toward the Unified Developer Environment provisioned through the Power Platform admin center rather than the Lifecycle Services VMs implied here. Note also that the wizard asks for a model layer (for example usr for customizations), which is worth setting deliberately.

Now that we've set up our D365 F&O VS environment, we can create a model and project in visual studio for our simple calculator project.

To Create a Model and Project:

1. Click on the Dynamics 365 drop-down menu, highlight "Model Management" and select "Create model".

Original screenshot not recoverable from the web archive
Dynamics 365 dropdown menu with Model Management and create model options selected

2. Fill out the Model name, Model publisher and Model description fields. Click "Next".

Original screenshot not recoverable from the web archive
D365 Create Model Popup Window

3. Leave the Create new package option selected and click "Next".

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Step3.png

3. Select the following options and then click "Next".

    • ApplicationFoundation [Application Foundation]
    • ApplicationFoundationFormAdaptor [Application Foundation Form Adaptor]
    • ApplicationPlatform [Application Platform]
    • ApplicationPlatformFormAdaptor [Application Platform Form Adaptor ]
    • ApplicationSuite [Application Suite Tax Books Integration, Application Suite Tax Engine Integration, SCM Controls, Application Suite Electronic Reporting Integration, Application Suite]
    • ApplicationSuiteFormAdaptor [Application Suite Form Adaptor]
    • ApplicationWorkspaces [Application Workspaces]
    • ApplicationPlatformFormAdaptor [ApplicationWorkspacesFormAdaptor]
    Original screenshot not recoverable from the web archive
    Create model window select referenced packages tab

    4. Verify the information is correct on the summary tab and click "Finish".

    Original screenshot not recoverable from the web archive
    D365 Create Model Popup Summary Tab

    5. In the New Project popup window, make sure that the "Finance Operations" option is highlighted and enter the name of your project in the Name field. Click "OK".

    Original screenshot not recoverable from the web archive
    New project popup window in D365 F&O

    And that's all there is to it. Now you are ready to start building your simple calculator. Stay tuned for part 3, where get to start building up our project.

    Caf2Code is a Microsoft Solutions Partner specializing in Dynamics 365 Finance & Operations, Power Platform, and Power BI. Originally published July 2, 2021; restored to caf2code.com in 2026.

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