Which type of Dataverse table primarily serves to integrate with external applications?

Virtual tables in Dataverse are specifically designed to enable integration with external data sources without storing the data directly in Dataverse. This functionality allows users to work with data as if it were part of Dataverse while it resides in another system, such as an external database or web service.

The primary benefit of using virtual tables is that they provide real-time access to the data from these external systems. When a user queries a virtual table, Dataverse dynamically retrieves the data from the external source, ensuring that the most current information is available. This is particularly useful for scenarios where data needs to stay synchronized with an external application, such as financial systems or external analytical tools.

In contrast, custom tables are tailored for specific business needs and are built to store data directly within Dataverse. Standard tables are predefined tables that come with Dataverse and are typically used for common entities like accounts or contacts. Restricted tables impose certain limitations, often related to privacy or sensitivity of the data, but they do not serve the purpose of integrating with external applications.

Thus, virtual tables are the correct choice because they bridge integrations with external applications, providing a seamless experience while maintaining the data's physical location outside of Dataverse.