How do I get access to a Sandbox environment with a personal account

Question

I am currently working through learning modules, how can I get access to a sandbox environment so I can work through Dataverse training modules..

Answer 1

Hi @John Drake 

Thank you for reaching out to the Microsoft Q&A forum. 

Regarding your questions, I am happy to share the insights I have found so far. 

Based on the prerequisites in Get started using Microsoft Dataverse - Training | Microsoft Learn, accessing Dataverse requires either a valid Power Apps plan license or a Community Power Apps plan. 

For the Community Power Apps plan, I would like to clarify that it must be registered with a work or school account, as noted in Announcing the PowerApps Community Plan - Microsoft Power Platform Blog   

In addition to the Community Plan, you may also consider joining the Microsoft 365 Developer Program through Developer Program | Microsoft 365 Dev Center 

This program allows you to create a sandbox environment that includes Power Apps as part of the available tools. 

However, please verify whether your account meets the eligibility requirements for the E5 Developer program. Only accounts that fall under one of the four qualification categories can create a sandbox environment: 

1. Visual Studio Subscribers  
2. ISV Success Program or Microsoft AI Cloud Partner Program (MAICPP)  
3. Premier or Unifed Support Customers  
4. Government cloud elibility  

For more information, you can review: Microsoft 365 Developer Program FAQ | Microsoft Learn 

I hope this provides helpful insight. If you have any other questions, please feel free to reach out. 

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Answer 2

How do I access the community power apps plan?

Answer 3

Sandboxes that were previously provided with Microsoft Learn training modules are no longer available. To work through Dataverse training modules with a personal account, use one of these options instead:

1. Use an Azure subscription
   • Sandboxes on Microsoft Learn have been retired. To complete hands-on exercises, an Azure subscription is required.
   • If there is no subscription yet, sign up for a free 30‑day Azure trial or a pay‑as‑you‑go subscription and then provision the needed services (for example, Power Apps/Dataverse environments) within that subscription.
2. Use a Dataverse/Power Apps environment as a sandbox
   • Any non‑production Dataverse environment can serve as a sandbox for learning.
   • In the Power Platform admin center, environments of type Sandbox are isolated from production and are intended for safe development and testing.
   • A production environment can also be converted to a sandbox (if appropriate for the scenario) by editing the environment details and changing Type to Sandbox.
3. Use a personal/Developer environment via the Community Power Apps plan
   • For Dataverse administration and security training, a personal Developer environment created through the Community Power Apps plan can be used.
   • This environment includes Dataverse and gives access to most capabilities of a Power Apps license for learning and experimentation.
   • It is not for production use and apps created there cannot be shared or used for production solutions.

Once an appropriate non‑production or Developer environment is available, it can be used as the “sandbox” while following Dataverse training modules.

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References:

• Frequently asked questions (sandbox)
• Manage sandbox environments
• Manage permissions and administration for Dataverse