Dimensions in Business Central let you tag transactions so you can measure and report on them in your finance data. You can attach dimensions to a vendor, and they flow automatically to the purchase orders you create for that vendor.
You can change dimensions both at the header level and on individual purchase order lines. Whatever value you set flows through to the posted documents, so your reporting reflects the changes you make.
You can use dimension setup in your finance configuration to force certain dimensions to be filled in, which prevents purchase orders from being posted with missing dimension values.
How dimensions flow from the vendor to the purchase order
If you use dimensions in Business Central, you can add a dimension directly to a vendor card. When you then create a purchase order for that vendor, the dimension flows through to the order automatically.
You are not locked into the value that comes from the vendor. You can change the dimension on the purchase order itself. This gives you flexibility in how you set things up. You can have dimensions that need to be filled in on the purchase order only, dimensions that flow from the vendor, or dimensions that flow and can then be changed.
Setting dimensions on the purchase order header
On a purchase order, you reach the dimensions through the order dimensions. In a scenario where nothing was inherited from the vendor card, the dimensions start out empty. You can then select the dimension value directly on the purchase order for whichever dimension code you want to measure on.
You can also use the dimension setup in your finance configuration to make sure those values are filled in before the order is posted.
Setting dimensions on the purchase order lines
Dimensions also work at the line level. When you select a specific purchase order line and open the line dimensions, you can see and change the dimensions for that line.
Line dimensions can come from the item card or the vendor card, and the way they are set up can get a little complex. Regardless of where they originate, you can change the dimension directly on the line.
Changes flow through to posted documents
When you change a dimension on a purchase order, whether on the header or on a line, that value flows through to all the posted documents. This is how you control dimensions on documents so your measurements and reporting stay accurate.
Q&A
Can you add dimensions directly to a vendor in Business Central?
Yes. You can add a dimension directly to a vendor card, and it flows through to any purchase order you create for that vendor.
Can you change dimensions on a purchase order after they flow from the vendor?
Yes. You can change the dimension on the purchase order header and on individual purchase order lines, even when a value was inherited from the vendor card.
Where do purchase order line dimensions come from?
Line dimensions can come from the item card or the vendor card. The setup can be complex, but you can always change the dimension directly on the line.
How do you make sure required dimensions are filled in on a purchase order?
You use the dimension setup in your finance configuration to require certain dimensions to be filled in before the order is posted.
Do dimension changes on a purchase order affect posted documents?
Yes. Any dimension change you make on a purchase order flows through to all the posted documents.