Identify tables and table types in Dataverse
In Dataverse, a table is a logical structure containing records that are made up of rows and columns. Dataverse tables differ from a simple database table because they have nearly 100 properties that are used to define relationships between other standard tables and how the table is used within Dynamics solutions from Microsoft.
Types of tables
The four types of tables are:
Standard - Several standard tables, also known as out-of-box tables, are included with a Power Platform environment, that includes Microsoft Dataverse. Account, business unit, contact, task, and user tables are examples of standard tables in Dataverse. Most of the standard tables included with Dataverse can be customized. Tables that are imported as part of a managed solution and set as customizable also appear as standard tables. Any user with appropriate privileges can customize these tables where the table property has customizable set to true.
Activity - Are a special kind of table and are best for rows that have an activity-based element, which can include a subject, start time, stop time, due date, and duration. Dataverse already comes with several out-of-the-box activity tables, such as appointment, task, email, and phone call.
Virtual - Are for when you need the table to be populated with data from an external source outside of Dataverse.
Elastic - Are for when the table will store a very large dataset in excess of tens of millions of rows.