Unable to access window.parent's Xrm.data.entity object from a opened frame web resource Dynamics CRM 2011

Question

I have a html web resource that has

<script src="ClientGlobalContext.js.aspx" type="text/javascript"></script> 

in the head. It is a frame that pops up when a user clicks reject in the ribbon. When I try to click on a reject button in the frame (not the ribbon), it throws the error "Error: Unable to get property 'entity' of undefined or null reference" I know my

window.parent.Xrm.Page.context.getServerUrl()

is working because the lookup frame is populated from our server. I have tried the following :

window.parent.Xrm.Page.data.entity.attributes.get("approvalstatus").getValue()

and

window.parent.Xrm.Page.getAttribute("approvalstatus").getValue();

Both give me errors. I'm totally lost as to why I can't access the parent window's Xrm.Page object. Please advise.

Answer 1

I'm not 100% sure, but I can see a couple of problems.

1. I don't think you are using ClientGlobalContext.js.aspx correctly

I don't think you should be using window.parent .

I think you should using GetGlobalContext which returns Xrm.Page.context .

For example; GetGlobalContext.getServerUrl()

2. getServerUrl() is deprecated

Use getClientUrl() instead.

3. I don't believe GetGlobalContext gives you access to Xrm.Page.data.entity anyway

GetGlobalContext only gives Xrm.Page.context

Xrm.Page.data.entity is a different object.

4. I think you should be passing form data into the web resource

This involves you writing JavaScript on the CRM form , that passes values to the HTML web resource .

(As opposed to trying to read the CRM form client side from within the web resource. You could also consider making a web service call from your web resource to CRM as well).

Use the getValue method on the attributes that contain the data that you want to pass to the other website, and compose a string of the query string arguments the other page will be able to use. Then use a Field OnChange Event, IFRAME OnReadyStateComplete Event, or Tab TabStateChange Event and the setSrc method to append your parameters to the src property of the IFRAME or web resource.

Answer 2

Solution was to use XrmServiceToolkit. I was trying to update the parent page's Xrm.data.entity from child page that was opened using showModalDialog but that doesn't seem to be possible.

XrmServiceToolkit lets you create SOAP requests that allow you to do all CRM operations. Use the format like explained in this link :

Answer 3

Keywords are important.

HTML page within IFRAME in form can access parent.Xrm.Page.data.entity

Opening frame (popup as dialog/non-dialog?) from Ribbon button, it depends.

If you are opening a modal dialog, then you will not be able to access the parent Xrm context - you will need to pass the values in and then when the dialog is closed, update based on the result. If you are opening a non-modal dialog then you can use window.opener

Reference: Scott mentioned in community thread

Otherwise, send the record Id & Retrieve again in popup window using soap/odata/webapi.