Let me show you how to set up, replicate fields on the basic tables in business info.
Master data information fields let you add extra fields to the basic tables in Business Central without any customization. You configure them directly in the application through the master data information setup, and the changes apply to items, customers, vendors, serial numbers, lot numbers and similar tables.
You can add up to five fields on the customer card, five fields on the vendor card, and ten fields on the item card. This limit may increase in future versions.
To add a new field, you open the replicate master data setup, define the field, choose whether to show the value or the information value, and then run the update card page field action. This goes through all existing records and replicates the new field. The fields appear on both the card and the list view automatically.
What master data information fields do in Business Central
Master data information fields are extra fields you can set up on the basic tables in Business Central. What works for the item card also works for customers, vendors, serial numbers, lot numbers and other core tables.
One thing to be aware of in real life is that the fields are not named after their content. In the underlying data they are called master data information field 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and so on. So even if your fields show gear, gender and bike type, those are just labels on numbered information fields.
How to add a new master data information field
Say you already have three fields on your items, for example gear, gender and bike type, and you want to add material because it exists on the item specification.
You start in the master data information setup. From there you have an action to enter the replicate master data setup, where you can see the fields you already have on items.
The easiest way to add a field is to drill down on the field. You then see all the tables it relates to and how many fields you can still select. For the time being you can add up to five fields on the customer card, five on the vendor card and ten on the item card. If more fields are added later, you will find them here.
To add material, you select field number four on the item, point it to the material, and choose information value. You could also have chosen value or description depending on what you want to show.
If you want to add a second field at the same time, such as wheel diameter, you take field number five on the item. Here you choose value rather than information value, because you want the actual value shown, for example the diameter in inches.
Running the update so the fields appear on existing records
After defining the new fields, you press the update card page field action. This runs through all the items and updates the master data fields on each record. In the example, it processed 16 records for material and 27 records for wheel diameter.
Once the update is done, the fields show up on the item card. Material shows aluminum and wheel diameter shows 28. You can change both values directly on the card, for example by looking up and selecting another material.
Fields appear on the list view automatically
The new fields also appear on the list view. You may need to reopen the item list to refresh it, but after that the new fields show up alongside the existing ones. In the example the list shows gear, gender, bike type, material and wheel diameter directly, with no customization needed.
Q&A
How many extra fields can I add with master data information fields in Business Central?
You can add up to five fields on the customer card, five fields on the vendor card, and ten fields on the item card. More fields may be added in future versions.
Do I need customization to add master data information fields?
No. You set up the fields directly in the application through the master data information setup, and they appear on both the card and the list view without any customization.
What is the difference between value and information value when setting up a field?
Choose information value to show a looked-up or descriptive value, such as material. Choose value when you want the actual value shown, such as a wheel diameter in inches.
Which tables support master data information fields?
The same setup works for items, customers, vendors, serial numbers, lot numbers and similar core tables in Business Central.
How do I make a new field appear on existing records?
After defining the field, press the update card page field action. It runs through all existing records and replicates the new field onto each one.
Why are the fields named master data information field 1, 2, 3 in the data?
The underlying fields are numbered as master data information field 1, 2, 3 and so on. The labels you see, such as gear or material, are just the names you assign to those numbered fields.