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[Martin Doll]

So, am I right, that the only way to add custom fields or change data labels on a form is to write code and import it as an extension?

I see that App Source has a few Add ons that allow non-programmers to easily add custom fields.

1. Does anyone have a recommendation on any of these?
2. Would anyone recommend I learn how to make extensions instead.
   1. Will I be happier in the long run if I do? I am not a coder….however I have done java script and things like that.  

Just looking for opinions.

BTW…was just trying to re-purpose an existing text field on a Sales Invoice Line for a requirement.  Using the line type GL Account.  I found there were NO options for me to simply add a text field on this line item grid.   Found that a little odd…..am I right or am I missing something?

Thanks.

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Martin Doll
Aqualis Storm Water Management
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[David Wiser]

Couple of things.  First, yes, cresating an extension is the new way of adding fields to tables/pages and other functionality.  You can learn the AL language and use Visual Studio to do this work.  There are plenty of resources available to help learn this.

As far as text fields, you can “Standard Text” to sales/purchase document lines by leaving the type field blank.  With this field blank, when you click into the No. field, you will have the option of adding standard text code which have text strings associated which will add it to the descrition column.  Is this the functionality you’re looking for?  You can as many standard text codes as needed.

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David Wiser
Sr. Solution Consultant
Tigunia
2019-2020 Board of Advisors
BCUG|NAVUG All-Star
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[Martin Doll]

Hey, thanks for the reply.  Yes, I just downloaded the VS Code and the extension…..taking the path to writing extensions…..actually I think once I get the syntax down with a couple extensions it might not be that bad.

Regarding you comment about the line type….all the line types are GL Account type….so I need a column to add…..it is a specific recreation of an invoice used previously.

Thanks again.

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Martin Doll
Aqualis Storm Water Management
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[Phil York]

We use an extension called custom fields from EOS Solutions. 
It’s inexpensive and allows you to add custom lists (choose from drop-down), booleans (true/false) and simple text to some common tables like sales/purchase. 

If you are looking to add an existing field not available using personalization you can also do this in sandbox design mode, which will ask you to export an extension to modify your production environment.

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Phil York
Radius Global Supply
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[Martin Doll]

Phil,
Are you saying I can use this Sandbox Design mode in my setup now…OOB funtionality?  Or are you referring to the EOS add-on?

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Martin Doll
Aqualis Storm Water Management
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[Phil York]

I’m saying that if you need to add a custom field that doesn’t exist in BC you can use and extension add-on like the one I suggested if you don’t want to go down the path of writing a table extension in AL code.

If you want to add an existing field not available by using personalization, but available in the table, you can use the sandbox designer to insert.  I haven’t played around with it too much tbh but I know its an available option. https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/dynamics365/business-central/dev-itpro/developer/devenv-inclient-designer

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Phil York
Radius Global Supply
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[Martin Doll]

Great…I’ll read the document…..didn’t even know this was in there.
Thanks a lot.

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Martin Doll
Aqualis Storm Water Management
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[Martin Doll]

Hey one more question for this discussion…..since BC 365 is cloud based and I cannot query the tables directly, what is the best way to view the tables and actual field names?

Thanks.

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Martin Doll
Aqualis Storm Water Management
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[Linda Chou]

Hi Martin,

At the right upper corner you will see a question mark, click on that and click “Help & Support”
In the middle section “Troubleshooting” you will see two link, click on “Inspect pages and data”
This will give you the page name, page #, table name, table # and all fields?? in that table as well. Remember you can toggle between header and line (click anywhere in the line area)

Hope this helps

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Linda Chou
DC International
Carrollton TX
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[Martin Doll]

Linda,
Thanks this helps a bunch.

What I am baffled by is I see a field that exists within the table.  However it is not in the fields available for the Report.  And I can’t add it!!

I guess its time for some real training for me.  

Thanks.

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Martin Doll
Aqualis Storm Water Management
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[Linda Chou]

Hi Martin,

I assume you’ve already tried to create a custom layout and see if you can add the field but here’s a link I think might be helpful for you as well. If it’s not in the dataset for that report, sadly I think currently there’s not a so called “report extension”, this link does include some workaround but ultimately it’ll be a lot easier if we can use report ext.
https://thinkaboutit.be/2019/02/how-do-i-add-fields-to-a-report-in-business-central/

Reference on other people asking regarding how to add custom fields into report using report ext.
https://community.dynamics.com/business/f/dynamics-365-business-central-forum/295216/is-it-possible-to-create-a-report-extension-in-d365-bc/852798

Thanks,

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Linda Chou
DC International
Carrollton TX
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[Kris Ruyeras]

If you are working off a base report and you want to extend it, there is no option but to use custom report layout. You can use an existing report already and you can use word or rdlc. You can download the rdlc report layout locally and open it with a report viewer/designer. You’ll then need to determine if the field you need from the table is exist within the dataset.
If it doesn’t, then you may need to create a new report object and you can still copy an existing report layout as a starting base. A little bit of hoops but it’ doable.

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Kristoffer Ruyeras
Sr. Solutions Architect
Tigunia
Seattle, WA
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