In today’s dynamic deployment cycles, even a minor update in Microsoft Dynamics 365 Finance and Operations (D365 F&O) can lead to unexpected disruptions. Relying solely on manual testing often results in missed regressions, especially in complex, integrated environments. That’s where the Regression Suite Automation Tool (RSAT) steps in as a purpose-built Microsoft solution designed to automate regression testing and safeguard business-critical processes.
In this blog, we’ll walk through how to use the RSAT regression suite automation tool effectively- from installation and configuration to automated test execution and actionable result analysis.
What is the Regression Suite Automation Tool (RSAT)?
The Regression Suite Automation Tool (RSAT) is a Windows-based application from Microsoft that enables functional users to automate the testing of business processes in Dynamics 365 Finance and Operations – without requiring deep development skills. It works by recording task flows using Task Recorder, parameterizing test data in Excel, and executing tests across environments with minimal effort.
If you’re wondering “what is regression suite automation tool in the context of enterprise-grade testing?” think of it as your automated assurance layer during upgrades, hotfixes, or continuous deployments.
The Microsoft regression suite automation tool is tightly integrated with:
Azure DevOps for test case management and execution tracking
Lifecycle Services (LCS) for environmental orchestration and BPM library sync
Excel for parameterizing data inputs
End-to-end testing flow with RSAT
The Regression Suite Automation Tool (RSAT) plays a central role in the end-to-end test automation process for Dynamics 365 Finance & Operations (D365 F&O). Together with Microsoft Dynamics Lifecycle Services (LCS) and Azure DevOps, RSAT enables a fully integrated framework for:
Authoring test cases using Task Recorder
Configuring and managing test scenarios
Executing automated tests
Investigating failures
Reporting and tracking results
This toolchain ensures that each step of the testing lifecycle, from creation to analysis, is streamlined and centrally managed.
Using RSAT for testing in Dynamics 365 F&O
Before starting your RSAT configuration, ensure that all foundational components are in place. A proper setup is essential for a smooth and error-free regression suite automation tool installation and configuration process:
Access to a D365 F&O test environment – A dedicated instance where test cases can run without interfering with live data.
Active Azure DevOps organization and project – RSAT pulls test plans, test suites, and cases directly from Azure DevOps.
Configured Lifecycle Services (LCS) project – Required to link your environment, manage BPM libraries, and enable integration with RSAT.
Installation permissions on a Windows machine – RSAT is a Windows-based application and must be installed locally with appropriate administrative access.
Personal Access Token (PAT) – Used to authenticate and establish secure communication between RSAT and Azure DevOps.
Ensuring these prerequisites are fulfilled allows for a stable and efficient deployment of the Microsoft regression suite automation tool in your testing environment.
Why use RSAT for Dynamics 365 F&O testing: Key benefits
The RSAT regression suite automation tool brings a structured and scalable approach to automated testing within Microsoft Dynamics 365 Finance and Operations. Here’s how it enhances your testing strategy:
Automates repetitive test cases – Minimizes manual effort by executing test scenarios automatically across business processes.
Delivers consistent and reliable results – Uses parameterized Excel files to ensure tests behave identically in every run.
Scales with your enterprise needs – Supports wide test coverage across companies, legal entities, and modules in D365 F&O.
Integrates with Azure DevOps – Enables continuous validation through pipelines and supports agile development and DevOps practices.
Accelerates issue detection and resolution – Provides fast feedback with detailed logs, screenshots, and execution reports.
These capabilities make RSAT testing a vital part of any modern D365 F&O implementation or upgrade, helping teams maintain quality, reduce risk, and confidently deploy new features.
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Step-by-step guide: How to use the Regression Suite Automation Tool (RSAT)?
Implementing the RSAT regression suite automation tool involves a structured process that ensures your test cases are properly configured, executed, and analyzed. Below is a step-by-step guide to help you get started with automated testing in Dynamics 365 Finance & Operations (D365 F&O).
Step 1. Install RSAT
Begin by downloading the Regression Suite Automation Tool from your designated project in Lifecycle Services (LCS). RSAT must be installed on a Windows machine that has access to the Dynamics 365 environment and Azure DevOps.
Tip: Always ensure you’re using the latest version of RSAT, as Microsoft regularly releases updates that include performance improvements and new features.
Step 2. Configure RSAT to connect with D365 F&O
Once installed, launch RSAT and configure the connection settings by providing the following environment-specific details:
Environment URL – The base URL of your D365 F&O instance
Company – The legal entity you intend to run the tests against
User credentials – A user account with appropriate testing permissions
Completing this step establishes the link between RSAT and your target environment—marking the beginning of your RSAT configuration process.
Step 3. Download and parameterize test cases
After configuration, you can begin working with test cases:
In RSAT, click on Download Test Cases
RSAT pulls test plans and test cases from your connected Azure DevOps project
For each test case, RSAT creates a folder that includes:
A test execution file
An Excel file used for parameterizing input data
Populate the Excel sheet with test data that reflects real-world business scenarios. This enables you to run the same test logic with multiple data sets—improving test coverage and reusability.
Step 4. Execute automated tests
With parameterized test cases in place:
Select one or more test cases from the RSAT interface
Click Run to begin execution
During execution, RSAT will:
Open a browser session
Log in to D365 F&O automatically
Perform the recorded steps exactly as captured via Task Recorder
Capture screenshots, execution logs, and any errors encountered during the process
Step 5. Review and analyze test results
Once the tests are complete, RSAT provides a detailed summary of results, including:
Pass/Fail status
Execution time
Error messages or failure points
Screenshots and logs for audit and debugging
All results are automatically uploaded back to Azure DevOps, enabling centralized tracking, traceability, and collaboration across testing and development teams.
Step 6. Automate test runs (Optional)
To further streamline testing, you can schedule RSAT executions to run automatically at specific intervals or upon deployment events. Automation can be set up using:
Azure DevOps Pipelines – Ideal for integrating RSAT into CI/CD workflows
Windows Task Scheduler – Useful for running tests on a fixed schedule or during off-peak hours
This approach enables continuous testing across releases and environments, reducing manual intervention and accelerating validation cycles.
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RSAT is designed for business cycle testing and scenario testing (involving multiple components), typically conducted at the end of the development lifecycle. This type of testing is also known as user acceptance testing. As illustrated below, business cycle testing generally involves fewer test cases compared to component or unit testing.
2. Cloud POS
In addition to automating processes recorded using the Finance and Operations Task Recorder, RSAT also supports the testing of Cloud POS processes in Dynamics 365 Commerce. For more details on using RSAT with Cloud POS, refer to Microsoft’s official documentation.
3. Warehouse mobile app
RSAT can be used in combination with the Warehouse App Task Validation Framework to automate the testing of warehouse-related processes. This enables validation of scenarios such as receiving, inventory updates, and order fulfillment.
4. Unit and component testing
RSAT is not recommended for unit testing. Instead, use the SysTest framework along with Microsoft’s build and test automation tools.
For component-level testing, leverage the Acceptance Test Library (ATL), a collection of X++ test helpers, to facilitate efficient testing. When combined with the SysTest framework, ATL offers the following benefits:
Enables creation of consistent and reusable test data
Improves test code readability
Enhances discoverability of available test methods
Simplifies the setup of test prerequisites
Supports high-performance execution of test cases
Navigating the RSAT interface: A user overview
RSAT introduced a modern user interface that simplifies navigation through the app’s main components, including a Quick Links tab and quick access to DevOps test suites and test runs.
Use the left navigation pane to navigate between the test plan, settings, Cloud POS settings, and the quick links page.
1. Test plan
The Test Plan tab is the primary tab that enables you to interact with and execute test cases.
The Test Plan tab is where the main page is located. Here, tests are managed and run, and test results are inspected. You can navigate between elements on this page by tapping (or clicking). Alternatively, for improved productivity, you can use the available keyboard shortcuts. Some shortcuts are active only when a test case is selected.
2. Settings
Select the Settings tab to configure RSAT settings. Use the top bar to navigate between general, optional, and process settings. You don’t need to save your settings. Settings are automatically saved as soon as you navigate out of the settings page. You can also save your settings in an RSAT settings file or open an existing settings file.
3. Cloud POS settings
Select the Cloud POS Settings tab to configure RSAT to execute Cloud POS test cases. You don’t need to save your settings. Settings are automatically saved as soon as you navigate out of the settings page.
4. Quick navigation to Azure DevOps
When you work with your test plan, the Open button now provides three options.
Open the selected test case in Azure DevOps.
Open the selected test suite.
Open the recent test runs.
This tab provides quick access to the most relevant pages in Azure DevOps.
Conclusion
The Regression Suite Automation Tool (RSAT) for Microsoft Dynamics 365 Finance and Operations significantly streamlines testing by automating the execution of business process test cases. It enables organizations to validate system changes efficiently, reduce manual effort, and improve overall quality assurance.
By integrating with Azure DevOps, RSAT supports continuous testing and DevOps practices, contributing to more reliable deployments and stable operations. At Confiz, we help enterprises implement and optimize the RSAT regression suite automation tool to ensure long-term agility, compliance, and testing efficiency.
Looking to enhance your Dynamics 365 testing strategy? Our experts can guide you in adopting RSAT effectively. Contact us at marketing@confiz.com.
