Author: Ammolh Saallvi

I'm a Dynamics NAV/Navision developer and helps partners and end-users with their NAV implementations. I do everything from third-party management advisory, training to new NAV teams, project management, training, setup and development. Do you want to hire me to help getting your project a success? Then contact me via dropping one email from linkedin Expertise in end-to-end development of software products from requirement analysis to System Study, Documentation and Testing. Demonstrated abilities in analyzing information system needs, evaluating end-user requirements, custom designing solutions, troubleshooting for complex information systems management. Deft at carrying out risk analysis, impact analysis, project reviews and documentation. Strong Problem solving & Technical skills coupled with confident decision making for enabling effective solutions leading to high customer satisfaction as well as low operational costs. Certifications:- Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist -Dynamics Microsoft Sure Step Certified Professional Moderator at DUG Forum Specialties: • ERP Implementation • Client/Server Programming • Coding, Testing, troubleshooting and documentation. • Database Tuning and SQL • Database Performance • Debugging large programs • Project Management and Resource Management.

Reopening Finished Production Orders in Business Central v26 (Wave 1 2025)

Microsoft Business Central is constantly evolving, bringing us new features and enhancements with each wave release. One highly anticipated addition in Wave 1 2025 (v26) is the ability to reopen finished production orders. This seemingly simple functionality addresses a long-standing pain point for many manufacturers, offering increased flexibility and control over their production processes.

The Challenge

Previously, once a production order was marked as “Finished,” it was essentially locked. Any necessary adjustments, corrections, or further processing required creating a new production order, leading to potential data discrepancies and cumbersome workarounds. This rigid approach often hindered efficient handling of rework, returns, or unexpected post-production requirements.

The Solution: Reopening Finished Orders

With the v26 update, Business Central introduces the capability to reopen finished production orders.

To reopen a production order, follow these steps:

  1. On the Finished Production Orders page, select the order you want to edit.
  2. Choose the Reopen action.
  3. In the Do you want to reopen the production order? confirmation dialog, choose Yes.

This empowers users to:

  • Correct Errors: If errors are discovered after finishing an order (e.g., incorrect quantity reporting, wrong item consumption), you can reopen the order, make the necessary adjustments, and re-finish it.
  • Handle Rework or Returns: If products need rework or are returned, you can reopen the finished order, register the required adjustments, and complete the rework process within the original order.
  • Add Post-Production Activities: If additional operations or processes are needed after the order is finished (e.g., special packaging, additional quality checks), you can reopen the order and register these activities.
  • Maintain Data Integrity: Reopening the original order ensures a consistent and accurate audit trail, preventing data fragmentation and improving reporting accuracy.

As we approach the release of Wave 1 2025, stay tuned for more detailed information and practical examples on how to leverage this valuable feature.

Introduction of ‘Continue’ in Business Central v26

The Dynamics 365 Business Central ecosystem is in a state of continuous evolution, with each release bringing enhancements that empower developers and refine business processes. With the advent of version 26 (2025 release wave 1), a particularly noteworthy addition to the AL programming language is the continue statement. While seemingly a minor syntactic change, its implications for code efficiency and clarity are substantial.

A Refined Approach to Loop Control

In the realm of business application development, loops are indispensable. They facilitate iterative data processing, automation of repetitive tasks, and the implementation of complex algorithms. However, traditional loop structures often necessitate convoluted conditional logic to bypass specific iterations, leading to code that is both verbose and difficult to maintain.

The introduction of continue addresses this challenge directly. By providing a concise mechanism to skip the remaining code within a loop’s current iteration and proceed to the next, it promotes a more streamlined and readable coding style.

Benefits for Business Central Developers

  • Enhanced Code Readability: The continue statement reduces the reliance on nested IF statements, resulting in cleaner and more maintainable code. This is particularly crucial in large-scale Business Central implementations where code clarity is paramount.
  • Improved Performance: By bypassing unnecessary code execution, continue contributes to optimized loop performance. This is especially relevant when processing large datasets or executing computationally intensive operations.
  • Modernization of AL: The inclusion of continue aligns AL with contemporary programming paradigms, enhancing its usability for developers accustomed to other languages. It signifies changes to evolving AL into a more robust and versatile development platform.
  • Increased Development Flexibility: The ability to finely control loop execution grants developers increased flexibility when coding. This allows for more complex and efficient algorithms to be developed.

Where Can You Use ‘Continue’?

The continue statement is your ally within various loop structures in AL:

  • for loops: Ideal for iterating a specific number of times.
  • while loops: Perfect for looping until a condition is met.
  • repeat...until loops: Useful for executing a block of code at least once.
  • foreach loops: Designed for iterating through collections.

A Case in Point

Consider a scenario where a developer needs to process a batch of sales orders, excluding those with specific characteristics. Without continue, the code might involve nested IF statements to filter out unwanted orders. However, with continue, the logic becomes significantly more concise:

local procedure ProcessSalesOrders(SalesOrderRecord: Record "Sales Header")
begin
    SalesOrderRecord.Reset();
    SalesOrderRecord.FindSet();

    repeat
        if SalesOrderRecord."Order Type" = SalesOrderRecord."Order Type"::Quote then
            continue; // Skip quotes
        end;

        // Process the remaining sales order logic here
        // ...
    until SalesOrderRecord.Next() = 0;
end;

This example illustrates the power of continue in simplifying loop logic and enhancing code clarity.

Stay tuned for more.

Unleash Your Workspace: Resizable Fact Boxes Arrive in Business Central v26!

Tired of cramped Fact Boxes? Wishing you could see more detail without endless scrolling? Your wish has been granted! Dynamics 365 Business Central version 26 (2025 wave 1) introduces a much-anticipated feature: resizable Fact Boxes!

For years, Business Central users have navigated valuable contextual information within the FactBox pane. However, the fixed width often led to limitations, especially on larger screens or when dealing with detailed data. Now, Microsoft has empowered users to take control of their workspace.

Say Goodbye to Fixed Dimensions!

With the new resizing capability, you can:

  • Customize Your View: Easily adjust the width of the FactBox pane to suit your needs. Whether you need a narrow view for quick glances or a wider view for in-depth analysis, the choice is yours.
  • Maximize Screen Real Estate: Utilize your screen’s potential by expanding the FactBox to view more information at once. No more unnecessary scrolling!
  • Personalized Experience: Business Central remembers your preferred FactBox size per page and mode, ensuring a consistent and tailored experience every time you return.
  • Simple and Intuitive: Resizing is a breeze! Simply drag the divider line between the main page area and the FactBox pane to your desired width.
  • Quick Reset: If you want to return to the default size, just double-click the divider line.
  • Reasonable Limits: The factbox can be expanded to a maximum of half of the page width.

Why This Matters

This seemingly small change has a significant impact on user productivity and efficiency. By providing greater control over the workspace, Business Central empowers users to:

  • View Information More Effectively: Gain a clearer and more comprehensive understanding of related data.
  • Reduce Scrolling and Save Time: Access crucial information faster and streamline workflows.
  • Enhance User Experience: Create a more personalized and comfortable working environment.

How to Resize Your Fact Box:

  1. Locate the divider line separating the main page area and the FactBox pane.
  2. Click and drag the divider line to your desired width.
  3. Observe the FactBox pane resizing accordingly.
  4. To return to the default size, double-click the divider line.

Looking Ahead

The introduction of resizable Fact Boxes highlights continuous improvement and user-centric design. This feature further enhances the flexibility and usability of Business Central, making it an even more powerful tool for businesses of all sizes.

Enhancing User Experience with InstructionalText Property in Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central

In today’s fast-paced business environment, clear and efficient communication within ERP systems is essential. Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central offers a plethora of features to enhance user experience, one of which is the InstructionalText property. This seemingly simple feature can significantly improve the usability and clarity of forms and pages in Business Central. Let’s dive into what the InstructionalText property is, how it works, and best practices for using it effectively.

What is the InstructionalText Property?

The InstructionalText property in Business Central is a text property used to provide users with additional guidance or instructions on how to fill out fields, use pages, or complete specific tasks within the system. This text appears within the field, making it easier for users to understand what is expected of them without needing to consult external documentation or manuals.

Where Can You Use InstructionalText?

The InstructionalText property can be applied to various elements within Business Central, such as:

  • Fields: Provide specific instructions on what data is required.
  • Pages & Page Extension: Offer guidance on the overall use of the page.

Benefits of Using InstructionalText

  1. Enhanced Usability: Users can quickly understand the purpose and requirements of fields and actions.
  2. Reduced Training Time: New users can become proficient more quickly with on-screen guidance.
  3. Consistency: Standardizes instructions across the system, reducing errors and confusion.
  4. Improved Data Quality: Ensures users input data correctly by providing specific instructions.

How to Implement InstructionalText

Implementing the InstructionalText property in Business Central is straightforward. Here’s a step-by-step guide:

  1. Open AL Code: Open your AL code project in Visual Studio Code.
  2. Define the Property: Locate the field on page where you want to add the instructional text and define the InstructionalText property. For example:
field("Customer Name"; "Name")
{
    InstructionalText = 'Enter the full name of the customer. This is a required field.';
}

Best Practices for Using InstructionalText

To make the most out of the InstructionalText property, consider the following best practices:

  1. Be Clear and Concise: Instructional text should be straightforward and easy to understand. Avoid jargon and keep it short.
  2. Be Specific: Provide precise instructions on what is required. For instance, instead of “Enter the name,” use “Enter the full legal name of the customer.”
  3. Prioritize Important Fields: Use instructional text for fields and actions that are critical to business processes or where users frequently make errors.
  4. Consistency is Key: Ensure that similar fields across different pages have consistent instructional text to avoid confusion.
  5. Use Plain Language: Write instructional text in a way that is accessible to all users, regardless of their technical expertise.

The InstructionalText property in Business Central is a powerful feature that can significantly enhance the user experience. By providing clear, concise, and consistent instructions directly within the system, you can reduce errors, improve data quality, and streamline onboarding for new users.

Hope you will find this helpful.

Unlock the Potential of Microsoft Dynamics 365 at Directions Asia 2024

Are you ready for Directions Asia 2024?

Directions Asia 2024 poised to be a significant conference for those in the SMB market, focusing on the latest advancements in ERP, CRM, and Cloud solutions. Attendees will have the opportunity to learn how to leverage powerful tools such as the Microsoft Power Platform, Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central, and Azure to unlock their full technological potential.

Key Aspects to Look Forward to:

  1. State-of-the-Art Keynotes: Industry leaders and experts will present the latest trends and innovations in ERP, CRM, and Cloud technologies. These sessions will provide insights into how SMBs can stay competitive and efficient by adopting these solutions.
  2. In-Depth Sessions: Breakout sessions and workshops will offer deep dives into specific aspects of Microsoft Power Platform, Dynamics 365 Business Central, and Azure. Participants can expect practical demonstrations, case studies, and best practices to help them implement and optimize these technologies.
  3. Networking Opportunities: The event will provide a platform for professionals to connect, share experiences, and collaborate. This is an excellent opportunity to meet peers, industry leaders, and potential partners.
  4. Hands-On Experience: Labs and interactive sessions will allow attendees to get hands-on experience with the latest tools and technologies. This practical approach helps in better understanding and applying the knowledge gained.
  5. Focus on SMBs: The sessions are tailored to address the specific challenges and opportunities faced by small and medium-sized businesses, ensuring that the content is relevant and actionable for this audience.

Key Technologies Highlighted:

  • Microsoft Power Platform: Learn how to use Power Apps, Power BI, and Power Automate to create custom business solutions, automate processes, and gain valuable insights from your data.
  • Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central: Discover how this comprehensive business management solution can streamline operations, improve customer interactions, and drive growth.
  • Co Pilot AI: A cutting-edge AI technology that provides intelligent assistance across Microsoft applications. Co Pilot AI helps businesses automate routine tasks, gain insights from data, and improve customer interactions, ultimately enhancing productivity and decision-making.
  • Microsoft Azure: Explore how Azure’s cloud services can enhance your IT infrastructure, provide robust security, and offer scalable solutions to meet your business needs.

Schedule

Directions ASIA 2024, held at the Avani+ Riverside Bangkok Hotel on May 16-17, features a packed schedule of keynotes, sessions, and workshops focused on ERP, CRM, and Cloud solutions. Highlights include sessions on Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central, Power Platform, Azure, and AI integration. The event offers ample networking opportunities and practical insights tailored for SMBs looking to enhance their technological capabilities.

For more details on the schedule and specific sessions, you can visit the official Directions ASIA 2024 schedule.

Venue:

Avani+ Riverside Hotel 257 Charoen Nakhon Rd, Samre, Thon Buri, Bangkok 10600, Thailand

This is one of the wonderful venue for Directions Asia 2024. Situated along the Chao Phraya River, it offers stunning views and excellent facilities, making it a perfect location for a conference of this scale.

In my view Directions Asia 2024 is an excellent opportunity for SMBs to gain cutting-edge knowledge and tools to drive their business forward using Microsoft’s powerful technology stack.

Looking forward to seeing you at Directions Asia 2024!

What’s New for Developers (2024 Wave 1)

As you all aware of that new version of business central 2024 Wave 1 is knocking the door but before that we already got new AL language extension with many changes. The points which I can feel most useful as below

  1. Support for multiple extensions to same target and extensions and target in same app
    • This means if you are working in one of the app and based on some requirement if you want add field in one of the base table then you can create table extension for that table in the same app. Personally, I still not figure it out how I can use it in my application. (Lets give a try).
  2. Support ended for debugging Business Central server versions less than 20
    • Once you install this new version of AL language then Business Central server versions released before the April 2022 release (version 20) cannot be debugged with AL extension package versions that are greater than or equal to version 13.
  3. Tooltips on table fields
    • Introduced the tooltip property on table fields, which like the caption will be applied on page controls that reference the table field. This includes a code action that helps with moving the tooltip from page controls to table fields or cleans them up from the page in case of duplicates.
    • To get this property enabled please set runtime version as 13.0 in app.json

Note : If you already set tooltip property on table and then you try to move the page tooltip then you can see code actions is not available.

4. Placeholder text on Page Fields

Page fields can now leverage the InstructionalText and InstructionalTextML properties to define placeholders. These values will be showed when the field would otherwise be empty.

Using this new capability, you can provide example values to your users. This feature is currently supported only for text types like Text, BigText, Code, and Guid.

5. New “Create AL Project” button

  • This is replacement of AL:GO!




Keep exploring and stay in touch for more.




What is planned for Business Central Wave 1 2024 release

As we are gearing up for new release of business central and already the buzz is started for new version. Here listing few upcoming features which I am looking forward in new version.

Copilot and AI innovation

One of the hot topics in market and lot of new features are revolved around this innovation such as

Introduce Power Automate Copilot integration with Business Central

Create sales lines easily with Copilot

Create product information faster with Copilot

Complete bank account reconciliation faster with Copilot

Map e-documents to purchase order lines with Copilot

Learn more about fields with Copilot

Development

This time less features planned for development side but are important

Debug the system application : This will help us to understand the code flow while debugging the application.

Remove friction when working with external app dependencies :- With this feature MS will make it possible to download the symbols from AppSource applications so we no need to depend on publisher of app.

User experiences

Use drag and drop to attach multiple files

Use actions to navigate and highlight or fix platform-generated errors

Share error details to get help from another user

There are more and more rich features planned for this release please keep an eye on

What’s new and planned for Dynamics 365 Business Central

Stay tuned for more….

Preview environment for Dynamics 365 Business Central 2022 release wave 2 (BC21)

Public preview for Business central wave 2 (BC21) is available now

You can create preview version from SAAS version.

You will get more information about major updates from following

https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/dynamics365/business-central/dev-itpro/administration/update-rollout-timeline

Stay tuned for more updates and lets start explore new features from new version.

Cheers…

How to export data using TextBuilder in Business central.

Today we will see how we can data from business central table using new data type Text Builder.

To check how this data type work build small program as below which pick up data from customer table and export the data in text file.

pageextension 50101 CustomerMasterExtension extends "Customer List"
{
    actions
    {
        addlast(General)
        {
            action(DataExport)
            {
                Caption='Data Export to Text';
                ApplicationArea=All;
                PromotedCategory=Process;
                Promoted=true;
                Image=ExportDatabase;
                trigger OnAction()
                var
                CustomerMaster :Record Customer;
                Tempblob:Codeunit "Temp Blob";
                TextFileBuilder :TextBuilder;
                FileName:Text;
                InStreamData:InStream;
                OutStreamData:OutStream;
                begin 
                    FileName:='CustomerData.Txt';
                    TextFileBuilder.AppendLine('Customer No'+','+'Customer Name'+','+'Balance');
                    If CustomerMaster.FindSet() then repeat
                        CustomerMaster.SetAutoCalcFields(CustomerMaster.Balance);
                        TextFileBuilder.AppendLine(CustomerMaster."No."+','+CustomerMaster.Name+','+Format(CustomerMaster.Balance));
                    until CustomerMaster.Next()=0;
                    Tempblob.CreateOutStream(OutStreamData);
                    OutStreamData.WriteText(TextFileBuilder.ToText());
                    Tempblob.CreateInStream(InStreamData);
                    DownloadFromStream(InStreamData,'','','',FileName);
                end;
            }
        }
    }
}

If you look at the above code it is taking required data from customer table and export the data in text file as below.

To get more insight of data type have a look at MS documentation from below link

https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/dynamics365/business-central/dev-itpro/developer/methods-auto/textbuilder/textbuilder-data-type

Hope this will help you.

Stay tuned for more.

How to change Customer Name on Open Sales Order in business central

With the release business central Wave 1 2022 lot of new features has been added to improve the user interaction with application.

This feature is small improvements in business central which allows to changes the name of customer on open sales document. This change of name will be applicable for that document only. This change of name is controlled by setup on sales & receivables setup.

Lets see how this setup works now on sales order

  1. If this setup is not enabled on Sales & Receivable setup .Try to change name on sales order and it shows following message

This message states that if you trying to change the customer name then master not found the record then asking whether like to create new record or if you existing customer with new name then select that customer.

2. If this setup is enabled in Sales & Receivables setup. Try to change name on sales order.

Now it allows to change the name on sales order

Hope this will help

Stay tune for more….