The Replicate Master Data functionality in Business Central lets you display and edit master data fields directly on the standard cards such as items, customers, and vendors. You add a limited number of fields to the card, and the values stay in sync between the card and the underlying master data information.
When you edit a field on the item card, it updates the master data specification, and when you edit it in the specification, it updates the card. The synchronisation works both ways.
The functionality applies to standard tables like items, customers, and vendors, and also to open documents like sales orders and purchase orders. You can filter directly on these fields on the cards and the order documents.
What the Replicate Master Data functionality does
The Replicate Master Data functionality in Business Central applies to quite a few tables. It covers the standard tables such as items, customers, and vendors, but it also works on open documents like sales orders, purchase orders, and other documents.
The point is to replicate master data directly into a field that you define through a user setup. You decide which fields should appear on the card, and the functionality makes them show up there as if they belonged to the card all along.
How the fields appear and sync on the item card
On an item card you can add fields such as gear, gender, or bike type. These are added directly on the item card, but they also live in the master data information behind it.
Take a gender field as an example. If the item is set to male in the master data specification, the same value shows on the item card. If you change it in the specification to female, the item card updates as well. The reverse also works. If you change the value on the item card, the specification beneath it updates to match.
You also get the lookup functionality on these fields, so you can pick the value from a list rather than typing it. The synchronisation runs in both directions, which means you can choose to work in the master data specification or directly on the item card.
Limitations and practical benefits
You can add fields like this on item, customer, and vendor cards, and the fields will appear as though they exist natively on those cards. This makes it easier to get an overview of your data.
There is a limit to how many fields you can replicate this way, so you cannot bring across everything. But within that limit it is easier to work with the data, and you can filter directly on those fields on the actual cards and order documents.
Q&A
Which tables does the Replicate Master Data functionality apply to?
It applies to standard tables like items, customers, and vendors, and also to open documents such as sales orders, purchase orders, and other documents.
Does editing a field on the item card update the master data, and vice versa?
Yes. The synchronisation works both ways. If you change the value on the item card, the master data specification updates, and if you change it in the specification, the item card updates.
Is there a limit to how many fields you can replicate?
Yes. You can only replicate a limited number of fields onto the cards, so you cannot bring across every field.
Can you filter on the replicated fields?
Yes. You can filter directly on these fields on the cards and on the order documents.