If you work with jobs in Business Central, you can transfer job planning lines directly into a job journal and post them as usage. This saves you from entering the same data manually. You select the planning lines you want, run the Create Job Journal Lines function, and post the resulting journal to create job ledger entries of the type Usage.
When you use this method, pay attention to whether you use the usage link. With the usage link enabled, the quantity transferred is the planned quantity minus what has already been posted. Without it, the full planned quantity is transferred.
Before you create the journal lines, set the posting date, the job journal template, and the job journal batch. Check the line type in the journal before posting, since the correct setting depends on how you handle the specific job.
Transferring job planning lines to a job journal in Business Central
Start from the job card and click into the job planning lines. This shows you the planning lines for that specific job. If any of the fields you need are missing when you open the page, add them through a personalization.
In this example, the planning lines contain three bicycles set to the type both budget and billable. Mark the three lines, click Process, and choose Create Job Journal Lines.
You then set three values:
- The posting date
- The job journal template
- The job journal batch
Once you confirm, the job planning lines are transferred to a job journal line.
How the usage link affects the transferred quantity
It matters whether you use the usage link. When the usage link is active, the quantity that comes across is the planned quantity minus what has already been posted. This prevents you from posting the same usage twice. Without the usage link, the full planned quantity is transferred. Decide which behaviour you need before you create the lines.
Posting the job journal and checking the job ledger entries
From the job planning lines you can jump straight to the job journal and select Open Job Journal. Before you post, check the line type in the journal. The right setting depends on how you handle the job, so confirm it fits your scenario.
When the journal looks correct, post it. To verify the result, open the job ledger entries by clicking on the actual total cost. You will see the three lines posted as type Usage on the job.
This is a simple example. There can be a lot of variation depending on whether you use the usage link, so make sure you create all the data that is necessary in your own case.
Q&A
How do I transfer job planning lines to a job journal in Business Central?
Open the job card and go to the job planning lines. Mark the lines you want to transfer, click Process, and choose Create Job Journal Lines. Set the posting date, the job journal template, and the job journal batch to complete the transfer.
What does the usage link change when transferring job planning lines?
With the usage link active, the transferred quantity is the planned quantity minus what has already been posted. Without the usage link, the full planned quantity is transferred. Decide which you need before creating the journal lines.
What should I check before posting the job journal?
Check the line type in the journal before you post. The correct setting depends on how you handle the specific job, so make sure it matches your scenario.
How do I verify that job planning lines were posted as usage?
After posting the job journal, open the job ledger entries by clicking on the actual total cost. The transferred lines appear there with the type Usage on the job.
What if a field I need is missing on the job planning lines page?
Add the missing field through a personalization on the page.