You might want to determine that the item description or maybe the item two description should be made by master dates.
In Business Central, you can have item descriptions generated automatically from master data information instead of typing them in manually. This is controlled in the Master Data Information Setup using the Merge Item Description field. You choose whether to merge into the Description field or the Description 2 field. It is one or the other, not both at once.
The merged descriptions update automatically when you run the Update Long Descriptions batch job from the information code list. The same job that refreshes the long description also updates the item description or Description 2 field, depending on your setup.
This is useful in scenarios such as a sales company where nobody should edit item descriptions manually and you always want the description built from master data.
Generating item descriptions from master data information
You can decide that the item description, or the Description 2 field, should be built from master data information rather than entered by hand. In a practical example, the Description 2 field is generated from master data and reads “City bike 29 inch”. You can use the master data description to populate this field.
It is also possible to do the same on the Description field. The key point is that it is either or. You merge into the Description field or the Description 2 field, but not both.
Configuring the merge in Master Data Information Setup
The behaviour is set up in the Master Data Information Setup. Here you find the Merge Item Description field, where you determine your options:
- Whether you want to merge item descriptions at all
- Whether to merge into the Description field
- Whether to merge into the Description 2 field
This fits situations such as a sales company where nobody in the company should touch the item or the item descriptions. When the description is always merged based on master data, this functionality keeps things consistent.
How and when the descriptions update
With this functionality, the descriptions update automatically. They are refreshed at the same time as the long description. From the information code list you run the batch job called Update Long Descriptions. That same job updates the item description or the Description 2 field, depending on how you have configured your setup.
Q&A
Where do I configure item descriptions to be built from master data?
You configure it in the Master Data Information Setup. Use the Merge Item Description field to choose whether to merge and whether the merge goes into the Description field or the Description 2 field.
Can I merge master data into both the Description and Description 2 fields?
No. It is either or. You choose to merge into the Description field or the Description 2 field, but not both at the same time.
How do the merged descriptions get updated?
They update automatically when you run the Update Long Descriptions batch job from the information code list. That job also updates the item description or Description 2 field, depending on your setup.
When is this functionality useful?
It is useful when nobody should edit item descriptions manually, for example in a sales company where you always want the description generated from master data to keep it consistent.