Business Central lets you build your own information matrix templates on any entity that uses master data information. You are not stuck with the columns a colleague set up. You create your own view with exactly the fields you need for your role.
You can create as many templates as you want on items, vendors, customers, and other entities that use master data information. Each template controls which columns show in the matrix view.
The system detects the table automatically based on where you open the matrix. Open it from the item list and you get table 27. Open it from the vendor list and you get table 23. Open it from the customer list and you get table 18. You do not have to set this manually.
You can import records into your view from the replenishment system, for example all purchase items. The primary key field is added to the template automatically, so you only add the extra columns you care about.
Creating your own information matrix template in Business Central
Say you work in purchasing and none of the existing templates fit your needs. Instead of changing a colleague’s template, you create your own.
From the item list, open the information matrix. In the list of matrix templates, create a new one and give it a name, for example “Item Vendor”. Because you opened it from the item list, it defaults to table 27.
Open the matrix template card to choose your fields. You can add a field two ways:
- Type the field name directly, for example “Vendor No.”. The system finds the first field with that information on the item card.
- Drill down and search for the field you want.
You can add any fields from the item table. For a purchasing view, that might include Vendor No., Lead Time Calculation, Safety Lead Time, and Safety Stock Quantity.
Adding master data information fields to your template
You can also add master data information fields to the template. In a column, choose the information value you want, for example Tire Type. You can also add a value field such as Wheel Diameter, where you pull the value from the value column.
This way you build a template with exactly the columns you need, mixing standard table fields and master data information fields.
Applying the template and refreshing the view
When you finish setting up the template, go back and select it in the matrix view. In this example, you select the “Item Vendor” template. The view refreshes automatically with the columns from your setup.
You then see your chosen columns on all the relevant records. For purchase items, that means Vendor No., Lead Time Calculation, Safety Lead Time, Tire Type, Wheel Diameter, and any other fields you added.
Q&A
How does Business Central decide which table a matrix template uses?
It detects the table from where you open the information matrix. From the item list you get table 27, from the vendor list table 23, and from the customer list table 18. You do not set this manually.
Can I create my own matrix template without changing a colleague’s setup?
Yes. From the matrix template list, create a new template and give it a name. Your changes only affect your own template, not the ones your colleagues use.
How do I add a field to a matrix template?
You can type the field name directly, and the system finds the first matching field, or you can drill down and search for the field. The primary key field is added to the template automatically.
Can I include master data information fields in a matrix template?
Yes. You can add master data information fields such as Tire Type, and you can pull a value from the value column for fields like Wheel Diameter.
What happens after I finish setting up a template?
Select the template in the matrix view and it refreshes automatically with the columns you defined, showing them across all relevant records.