Using Association Objects

This topic only applies to Microsoft Dynamics CRM 4.x.

Associations were created to provide many-to-many relationships in Dynamics CRM 4.x and have been replaced by intersect tables in Dynamics 365. The remarks for each association object indicate which Dynamics 365 intersect table should be used to provide the same functionality.

Association objects create many-to-many relationships in Microsoft Dynamics 365.

For example, the lead_account object associates an account with a lead; while opportunity_contact associates a contact with an opportunity. A delete operation removes the association between the two objects.

Each association object manages relationships between two records. The name of the object indicates the relationship being managed. The format of the name is parent_child. For example, lead_account let you associate account records with a specific lead record.

Do one of the following:

Create an association between the two records — Insert a record into the association object and supply the primary keys for the records you want to associate.
Remove an association — Delete the record from the association object. The association between the two records is removed, but the records remain.
Delete an association record — You must provide the IDs of the two related records as lookup link values for the delete operation.

Association objects

Association objects appear only after you connect to Dynamics 365 as the target.

Note: Association objects have been replaced with intersect tables in Dynamics 365. You must update your DTS files to use the appropriate intersect tables.

Dynamics CRM 4.x Association Object	Dynamics 365 Intersect Table
invoice_contact	contactinvoices
lead_account	accountleads
lead_contact	contactleads
opportunity_account	customeropportunityrole
opportunity_competitor	opportunitycompetitors
opportunity_contact	customeropportunityrole
product_competitor	competitorproduct
product_lead	leadproduct
quote_contact	contactquotes
salesliterature_competitor	competitorsalesliterature
salesliterature_product	productsalesliterature
salesOrder_contact	contactorders