The Problem: Too Many Spells, Too Little Time
In the bustling chaos of the ACDC Hackathon, we faced a peculiar challenge. Our project needed to process data from a Harry Potter API containing spell names and add them as products in Microsoft Finance and Operations (FO). However, before creating new products, we had to ensure that duplicates weren’t accidentally added.
A traditional solution would involve filtering existing records in FO—a task that’s as slow and resource-heavy as brewing Polyjuice Potion without instructions. With limited time and resources, we knew there had to be a faster, more creative way.
The Hack: Dataverse as a “Logical Trap”
Instead of overloading FO with complex filtering operations, we turned to Dataverse and found a unique, “dirty” shortcut to handle this problem efficiently.
Here’s how it works:
- The Spell Log Table:
We created a custom log table in Dataverse, where each row represents a spell. The table’s key field is the spell name. - The Power Automate Flow:
- The flow periodically retrieves spell data from the Harry Potter API.
- For each spell, it attempts to add a new row to the Dataverse log table.
- The Logical Trap:
- If adding the row fails (due to the spell name already existing as a key), we know the spell is a duplicate and skip further processing.
- If the row is successfully created, the spell is new, and the flow proceeds to create a product in FO.
This clever use of error handling as a control mechanism allowed us to avoid the inefficiencies of traditional filtering.
To better visualize the process, here’s a snapshot of the Power Automate flow at work:
Why This is a NaSTY Hack
This approach bends conventional methods in favor of speed and efficiency:
- Creative Use of Errors: We transformed API errors (failed row creation) into a functional feature of our workflow.
- Unorthodox Logic: Instead of directly querying FO for existing records, we let Dataverse act as a “pre-check” system, cutting down on processing time.
- Quick and Effective: While not the cleanest or most standard solution, it’s perfect for a fast-paced hackathon setting.
Benefits of This Approach
- Efficiency: Avoids resource-heavy FO filtering, keeping workflows lightweight.
- Rapid Implementation: Leverages Dataverse’s existing capabilities, saving development time.
- Hackathon-Ready: Delivers results quickly, aligning with the fast-paced nature of the event.
Challenges and Caveats
Of course, no hack is without its downsides:
- Not “Best Practice”: Feels a little like cheating and may confuse future developers unfamiliar with the context.
- Potential Fragility: Relying on error handling for functionality might lead to issues in more complex scenarios.
The Verdict
This nasty hack is a testament to the power of creativity under pressure. By thinking outside the box, we turned a potential bottleneck into an efficient, elegant workflow.
And isn’t that what hackathons are all about—solving problems with a mix of ingenuity, magic, and just a hint of chaos?
#ACDC2025 #DirtyHack #DataverseMagic #PotionProductionPlatform