URLs fields in MS Dynamics CRM 2011 - MS Dynamics CRM 2011 annoyances part 1337

We had a requirement to let users see a URL field but not change the URL, the requirement, quite sensibly specified that the users should be able to click on the link.

I thought this was a textbook case for field security profiles, alas I was wrong. In MS Dynamics CRM 2011 if a URL field is read only, however this is achieved, the URL will not be clickable.

Despite the message, it does not work, note how the mouse icon does not change.

Fortunately, this has been rectified in MS Dynamics CRM 2013