Default Dimensions Priority in Dynamics NAV: A Technical Guide.

As mentioned in a previous blog, within NAV, there are multiple defaults and rules that can be applied to ensure end users can perform their work efficiently and accurately. Included in that list are Default Dimensions and Priority.

Default Dimensions

Human error is the one thing you can't take out of manual data entry. Let's say your company processes 5,000 transactions each day. Imagine your employees entering Dimensions on each individual line for each of those 5,000 transactions. That leaves a ton of room for error, not to mention some pretty frustrated employees! Default Dimensions is an easy solution to that problem. Default Dimensions are set up on the account level and allow NAV to fill in corresponding Dimension information on the Document Header and Lines automatically. They can be applied to anything that posts to a ledger – G/L, Customers, Vendors, Items, etc. To make things even easier, Default Dimensions can be entered for single accounts or multiple accounts at the same time!

When setting up Default Dimensions, you will need to set the Value Posting Rules as well. These rules dictate the ways in which Dimension information may post. Options for Value Posting Rules are as follows:

Setting up Default Dimensions for a Single Account

Example: Item 1001 need to be assigned the Dimension PRODUCTGROUP and required Dimension Value of BICYCLE.

1. Navigate to Item 1001 on the Items Page
2. On the Actions Tab, click Dimensions then Dimensions-Single
3. On a new line, make sure the Dimension code field is PRODUCTGROUP and the Dimension Value Code is BICYCLE
4. In the Value Posting field, select Same Code
5. Click OK and close the page

Setting up Default Dimensions for Multiple Accounts

Example: Customer accounts 60000 through 62000 need to be assigned multiple default dimensions as illustrated in the table below:

1. Navigate to the Customers Page
2. Highlight the range of Customers that include 60000 through 62000
3. On the Navigate Tab, click Dimensions then Dimensions-Multiple
4. On a new line, enter a Dimension Code of AREA, Dimension Value Code of 30, and set the Value Posting field to Code Mandatory
5. On a new line, enter a Dimension Code of BUSINESSGROUP, Dimension Value Code of INDUSTRIAL, and leave the Value Posting field blank
6. On a new line, enter a Dimension Code of CUSTOMERGROUP, Dimension Value Code of SMALL, and set the Value Posting field to Same Code
7. On a new line, enter a Dimension Code of DEPARTMENT, Dimension Value Code of SALES, and leave the Value Posting field blank
8. Click OK and close the page

Default Dimension Priority

So, what happens when you create a document or journal that contains multiple defaults? Which Dimension reigns supreme? NAV has separate rules for when Default Dimension Priorities are not set up and for when they are.

Without Default Dimension Priorities

• The default dimension values of the last enteredaccount take priority over the default dimension values of the previously entered account.Example: On a sales document, default dimension values of an item take priority over those of a customer account because the item is added to the lines after the customer is added to the header.
• If there is a conflict between the default dimension values set up on a specific account and those in an account table, the individual account takes priority.
  This occurs because default dimension values are typically set up on individual accounts that have a specific purpose. When a more general prioritization rule is needed, a default dimension value can be assigned to the table.

With Default Dimension Priorities

• The dimension values of the account that has been given highest priority will be used.
  
  Example: If G/L accounts have a higher priority than customer accounts, a conflict between the two would result in the G/L account's dimension value being entered on the document or journal.
• If two accounts have equal priority or are the same account type, the default dimension values of the last enteredaccount take priority over the default dimension values of the previously entered account

The Check Value Posting function is a great tool to use when setting up account-type default dimensions to avoid conflicts between accounts and account types. The function will check for any existing default dimensions that conflict and compile a report you can view.

To run the Check Value Posting function and view the report:

1. Navigate to the Dimensions page
2. Select the desired dimension
3. On the Home Tab, click Account Type Default Dim.
4. On the Actions Tab, click Check Value Posting
5. On the Default Dimensions FastTab, set a filter for the desired dimension if necessary
6. Click Preview to view the report