This article was updated to reflect current Dynamics 365 and Power Apps functionality.
This article is part of our complete guide to Views in Dynamics 365 and Power Apps.
👉 Read the full guide here.
Not every view needs to be permanent.
Sometimes you just want to:
- Apply a quick filter
- Review the results
- Export the data
- Move on
Other times, you build a view that you know you’ll want to reuse. That’s where personal views come in.
In this article, we’ll walk through how to save your work as a personal view and reuse it whenever you need it.
When to Save a Personal View
Personal views are ideal when you’ve taken the time to:
- Add or remove columns
- Apply specific filters
- Sort the data in a meaningful way
For example, you might create a list of contacts in a specific state for an upcoming trade show. If you’ll need that list more than once, saving it as a personal view makes perfect sense.
Saving Your Current View
Once your view looks the way you want, saving it is simple.
From the View Selector, choose the option to save the current view as a new view.
Dynamics 365 will suggest using the existing view name, but it’s best to:
- Give the view a clear, meaningful name
- Optionally add a description explaining its purpose
For example, a name like Connecticut Contacts makes it immediately clear what the view is used for.
After saving, the view appears in your list as a personal view and is marked accordingly.
Using a Personal View Like a Global View
Once saved, a personal view behaves just like a global view.
You can:
- Switch to it at any time
- Set it as your default view
- Use it for exports, reporting, or daily work
The key difference is that it’s owned by you and doesn’t affect other users unless you choose to share it.
Modifying an Existing Personal View
Personal views aren’t locked in stone.
If you make changes — such as removing a column you no longer need — you’ll see an asterisk next to the view name. This indicates the view has been modified but not saved.
To keep those changes:
- Open the View Selector
- Save changes to the current view
This allows your personal views to evolve as your needs change.
Final Thoughts
Personal views give users the flexibility to work the way they want without waiting on an administrator.
They’re a great way to:
- Experiment with data
- Build reusable lists
- Customize the system without risk
Once you start saving personal views, you’ll find that many everyday tasks become faster and more repeatable.
If you’d like help designing views or setting up Dynamics 365 and Power Apps for real-world use, P2 Automation can help. Visit www.p2automation.com to learn more.
