Are you currently using Dimensions in Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central? Did you know they are not just for financial reporting?
Even though Dimensions are primarily used in reporting financial information, they can also be used to report on critical data for Customers, Vendors, Items, Resources and Jobs. Dimensions in Business Central can be attached with master records to report such information as Customer or Vendor type, sales region, commodity code, Item type or category, resource groups and Job type categorization. All this requires is some simple analysis on where to apply Dimension controls.
Dimensions can also be reported on an individual or rolled-up basis. The best part is that reporting on Dimensions can be created with standard Microsoft Dynamics NAV reporting tools.
What are Dimensions in Dynamics 365 Business Central?
Dimensions in Dynamics NAV and its cloud counterpart Dynamics 365 Business Central are simply reporting segments. They are used primarily for financial reporting, yet can be used to report on operational results based on requirements needed by individual departments.
Dimensions & Dimension Values
The relationship between Dimensions and Dimension values are that of:
- Dimensions = Parent or Family
- Dimension Values = Children or Segments
Here are some examples of Dimensions and Dimension Values:
Categorization of Dimensions
There are two types of Dimensions in Dynamics 365 Business Central: fixed and variable. Here’s the difference between the two:
- A fixed dimension is when a dimension value can be attached to a master file (such as Item, vendor, customer or fixed asset) and requires that the exact same value be populated from that master file.
- A variable dimension is when a dimension value is required, but the exact value is not selected until the time of the transaction.
Here’s an example of a fixed dimension:
Here’s an example of a variable dimension:
Reporting with dimensions in Dynamics 365 Business Central
Utilizing Dimensions and their corresponding dimension values enables the user to perform both financial and operational reporting utilizing standard reporting tools. For example:
- Analysis by Dimension:
- Multiple display utilizing filters
- Complete drill-down to source documents
- Ability to create Pivot Tables from Analysis View
- Jet Express: This free version of Jet Global, a third-party reporting option, can be used as well since dimension values are accessible in General Ledger tables
Benefits of using Dimensions in Dynamics 365 Business Central:
- Ability to report on both Financial and Operational data through NAV or Business Central General Ledger
- Easy to set up at any point in time
- Eliminates repetitive entries
- Enable controls on Master File (Cards) and General Ledger level to eliminate missing reporting data
Want to learn more about Business Central or how to use dimensions? Contact us.
