NAV2017 Running PowerShell scripts from C/AL code

lightning

Hi,
I would like to export NAV objects using code instead of the Dev Environment tool and i have the cmdlet for this in a .ps1 file.
Question: Can i run a powershell script from NAV itself (ex. an Action button) without the need for creating a .net extension library? Any tip appreciated

Kowa

No problem, from NAV 2016 onwards there is an add-in
https://blogs.msdn.microsoft.com/nav/2015/12/21/coffee-break-use-the-powershell-runner-add-in/

But you can do it with any NAV Version, even 2.x . For NAV 2009 I provided some sample objects on how to do this here:
http://www.msdynamics.de/viewtopic.php?f=17&t=28159

lightning

Managed to make it work. Saves a file to client and does it fast.

Here's the code:

PowerShellRunner := PowerShellRunner.CreateInSandbox;
PowerShellRunner.WriteEventOnError := TRUE;
PowerShellRunner.ImportModule('C:\Commandlets\cmdletExport.ps1');
PowerShellRunner.AddCommand('Export-NAVApplicationObjectFile');
PowerShellRunner.AddParameter('Database','NAV2016PL');
PowerShellRunner.AddParameter('WorkingFolder','D:\');
PowerShellRunner.AddParameter('ExportFile','CU1.txt');
PowerShellRunner.AddParameter('Filter','Type=Codeunit;ID=1');
PowerShellRunner.AddParameter('Verbose');
PowerShellRunner.BeginInvoke;

REPEAT
  SLEEP(1000);
UNTIL PowerShellRunner.IsCompleted;

The commandlet i used instead of the one NAV provides is this one:
http://www.waldo.be/2014/06/04/nav-2013-r2-export-objects-with-powershell-3/

The PowerShellRunner works on client (DotNet variable), and the sleep after the Invoke makes sure nav doesn't close the PowerShell before it finishes the entire script

I appreciate every tip, you were all a great help and i hope this will help everyone with a similar problem

AntHillMob

I have never tried this but in theory Powershell is part of the System.Management.Automation namespace so you could just declare a .net variable and try and access it this way.

https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/system.management.automation.powershell(v=vs.85).aspx

Let the forum know how you get on.

I should add that the use of .net in NAV will be limited in the future therefore you may go down a route that is not futureproof with this approach.

Jan_Veenendaal

Take a look at codeunit 1651. This uses the dedicated NAV PowerShell runner object.

Kowa

No problem, from NAV 2016 onwards there is an add-in
https://blogs.msdn.microsoft.com/nav/2015/12/21/coffee-break-use-the-powershell-runner-add-in/

But you can do it with any NAV Version, even 2.x . For NAV 2009 I provided some sample objects on how to do this here:
http://www.msdynamics.de/viewtopic.php?f=17&t=28159

lightning

@Kowa , the add-in sure cleared things up, but i ran into another problem - the powershell script i use exports a text file, but does so on the server, not on the client, is there a workaround?

lightning

Actually it seems it does not work at all, perhaps i cannot use the add-in correctly:

My code is as follows:

PowerShellRunner := PowerShellRunner.CreateInSandbox;
PowerShellRunner.WriteEventOnError := TRUE;
PowerShellRunner.ImportModule('C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Dynamics NAV\90\RoleTailored Client\Microsoft.Dynamics.Nav.Model.Tools.psd1');
PowerShellRunner.AddCommand('Export-NAVApplicationObject');
PowerShellRunner.AddParameter('DatabaseName','NSC3');
PowerShellRunner.AddParameter('Path','c:\temp\testexportNAV.txt');
PowerShellRunner.AddParameter('DatabaseServer','');
PowerShellRunner.AddParameter('Filter','Type=Codeunit;Id=1');
PowerShellRunner.AddParameter('Verbose');
PowerShellRunner.AddParameter('Force');
PowerShellRunner.WriteEventOnError := TRUE;
PowerShellRunner.BeginInvoke;

I even added a long sleep period so the runner won't close

The DotNet variable is RunOnClient: No, since when i try to set that to true, NAV returns an error saying that it cannot find the file and it's dependencies (the PowerShellRunner file)

lightning

I did manage to run the Runner on client, but the file still won't export.

lightning

Managed to make it work. Saves a file to client and does it fast.

Here's the code:

PowerShellRunner := PowerShellRunner.CreateInSandbox;
PowerShellRunner.WriteEventOnError := TRUE;
PowerShellRunner.ImportModule('C:\Commandlets\cmdletExport.ps1');
PowerShellRunner.AddCommand('Export-NAVApplicationObjectFile');
PowerShellRunner.AddParameter('Database','NAV2016PL');
PowerShellRunner.AddParameter('WorkingFolder','D:\');
PowerShellRunner.AddParameter('ExportFile','CU1.txt');
PowerShellRunner.AddParameter('Filter','Type=Codeunit;ID=1');
PowerShellRunner.AddParameter('Verbose');
PowerShellRunner.BeginInvoke;

REPEAT
  SLEEP(1000);
UNTIL PowerShellRunner.IsCompleted;

The commandlet i used instead of the one NAV provides is this one:
http://www.waldo.be/2014/06/04/nav-2013-r2-export-objects-with-powershell-3/

The PowerShellRunner works on client (DotNet variable), and the sleep after the Invoke makes sure nav doesn't close the PowerShell before it finishes the entire script

I appreciate every tip, you were all a great help and i hope this will help everyone with a similar problem

Kowa

Files are always created on the server in a 3-tier environment, you have to transfer them to the client as explained here:
https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/dd338733(v=nav.90).aspx

vijay_g

Hi,

i am trying with same code on my local system where service is installed but could not export object file with no error. can't figure out what i am doing wrong.
i am checking event viewer also but no error message there. i am using same code as above.
can you please help out? Thanks,

vijay_g

it got it resolved by adding sleep code.

REPEAT
SLEEP(1000);
UNTIL PowerShellRunner.IsCompleted;