The customer card in Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central holds the basic information you need to trade with a customer. This article walks through the key fields on the customer card, grouped by section, so you know what to fill in and why.
You set the customer number manually or let a number series assign it automatically, depending on your setup. Under Address and Contact, the city and country/region code fill in automatically when you select a postcode, provided you have configured the postcode table. The language code on the same section controls the language used when you communicate with the customer.
Under Invoicing, you must set the general business posting group, the VAT business posting group, and the customer posting group. You also set the currency code, payment terms, payment method, reminder terms, and finance charge code. If you leave reminder terms blank, you cannot create reminders for that customer. Under Shipping, you define the location code and the shipment method code.
Customer number and name
In the Number field, you type the customer number. If a number series is set up, Business Central uses it to assign the number automatically. If your setup allows it, you can type the customer number manually instead.
In the Name field, you state the customer’s name.
Address, contact, and language code
Under Address and Contact, you enter the customer’s address. If you have configured postcodes in the postcode table together with the city and the country/region code, then the city and country/region code fill in automatically when you choose a postcode.
The Address and Contact section is also where you define the language code for the customer. This language code controls the language used when you communicate with the customer.
Invoicing: posting groups and currency
Under Invoicing, make sure the general business posting group, the VAT business posting group, and the customer posting group are set up. These posting groups control how transactions for the customer are posted.
In the Currency Code field, you define the currency the documents for the customer are calculated in. If the currency is the same as your local currency, leave this field blank.
On the Invoicing section, you also decide whether prices on documents should be shown including VAT or not.
Payment terms, payment method, and reminders
In Payment Terms Code, you define the payment terms you have given the customer. In Payment Method Code, you choose the payment method you have set up and want the customer to use.
In Reminder Terms, you choose a reminder term for the customer. If you leave this field blank, you will not be able to create reminders for the customer.
In Finance Charge Code, you define the finance charges that must be calculated for the customer.
Shipping: location and shipment method
Under Shipping, if you use locations, fill in the location code from where you want the customer’s orders to be processed automatically.
Finally, you set the shipment method code, which defines the shipment method used when shipping orders to the customer.
Q&A
How is the customer number assigned on the customer card?
If a number series is set up, Business Central assigns the number automatically. If your setup allows it, you can type the customer number manually instead.
How does the city and country/region code fill in automatically?
When you have configured postcodes in the postcode table together with the city and country/region code, both the city and country/region code fill in automatically as soon as you choose a postcode.
What does the language code on the customer card control?
The language code defines the language used when you communicate with the customer.
When should the currency code field be left blank?
Leave the currency code field blank when the currency is the same as your local currency.
Why can’t I create reminders for a customer?
If the Reminder Terms field on the customer card is left blank, you cannot create reminders for that customer. Choose a reminder term to enable reminders.
Which posting groups must be set up under Invoicing?
You must set up the general business posting group, the VAT business posting group, and the customer posting group.