Master data in Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central can be applied across nearly every department in the system. From items and customers to production orders and project planning lines, you can attach master data information to a wide range of tables.
This article gives you a department-by-department overview of which tables in Business Central support master data, so you can plan where to apply it in your own setup.
You can apply master data to items, stockkeeping units, units of measure, references, variants, and item categories on the item side. On the sales side, you can use it on customers, sales orders, posted sales documents, item tracking lines, and service items. The purchase side mirrors the sales side with vendors, purchase orders, and posted purchase documents.
In manufacturing, you can apply master data to released production orders, routing tools, production BOMs, and assembly orders, but not to the routing header. In inventory, you can use it on warehouse receipts, shipments, and picks, but not on put-away documents. In finance, master data works on the chart of accounts and fixed assets, and in the project module, on projects, project task lines, and project planning lines.
Why look at master data per department in Business Central
An ERP system has many different departments working with many different tables and functions. The overall picture is complex, but it becomes easier to understand when you break it down per department. Looking at master data department by department also makes sense in practice, because that is usually how you decide which master data you actually want to use.
The following sections walk through each department and the tables where master data applies.
Master data on items, units of measure, and item categories
In the item department, where you create items and apply master data from PIM systems and similar sources, you have master data on the item itself. On top of that, you can apply master data to:
- Stockkeeping units
- Units of measure
- References
- Variants
- Item categories
Master data on customers, sales orders, and service items
On the sales side, you have master data on the customer, along with several underlying tables that supply the customer with master data information. Beyond customers, master data applies to:
- Sales orders and other open sales documents
- Posted sales documents
- Item tracking lines and posted item tracking lines
- Service item groups and service items
Through the item tracking lines, you can flow lot number and serial number information from the information cards onto both the open orders and the posted orders.
Master data on vendors and purchase documents
The purchase side works much like the sales side. You have master data on vendors, supported by underlying tables that supply the vendor table with master data information. You also have master data on:
- Purchase orders and other open purchase documents
- Posted purchase documents
- Item tracking lines
Master data on production and assembly orders
If you use the production module in Business Central, you have master data on released production orders. On the basic setup tables, you have master data on routing tools and production BOMs. There is no master data on the routing header, only on the routing tool and the production BOM.
You also have master data on:
- Firm planned production orders
- Production order component lines on the open orders
- Released production orders
- Finished production orders
If you do not use the production module but work with assembly orders instead, you also have master data on assembly orders and posted assembly orders.
Master data on warehouse documents in inventory
In the inventory area, you have master data on warehouse receipts and posted warehouse receipts on the inbound side. On the outbound side, you have master data on warehouse shipments and posted warehouse shipments.
For picking, you have master data on warehouse picks and internal warehouse picks. Put-away documents do not support master data. You also have master data on the serial number information card and lot number information card.
Master data on chart of accounts and fixed assets in finance
In the finance module, you have master data on the chart of accounts and on fixed assets.
Master data on projects and project planning lines
In the project module, formerly called the job module, you have master data on:
- Projects
- Project task lines
- Project planning lines
These are the tables that master data applies to in Business Central today.
Q&A
Which tables can use master data in Business Central?
Master data applies across most departments. On items, you have stockkeeping units, units of measure, references, variants, and item categories. On sales, you have customers, sales orders, posted sales documents, item tracking lines, and service items. On purchasing, you have vendors, purchase orders, and posted purchase documents. In production, you have released production orders, routing tools, production BOMs, firm planned orders, and finished production orders, plus assembly orders. In inventory, you have warehouse receipts, shipments, and picks, along with serial and lot number information cards. In finance, you have the chart of accounts and fixed assets. In the project module, you have projects, project task lines, and project planning lines.
Can you apply master data to the routing header in Business Central?
No. Master data applies to the routing tool and the production BOM, but not to the routing header.
Do put-away documents support master data in Business Central?
No. Put-away documents do not support master data. Warehouse picks and internal warehouse picks do.
How does master data work with item tracking on sales orders?
Master data applies to item tracking lines and posted item tracking lines. This lets you flow lot number and serial number information from the information cards onto both open orders and posted orders.
What master data is available if you use assembly orders instead of the production module?
If you do not use the production module but work with assembly orders, you have master data on assembly orders and posted assembly orders.