Elevate Dimensions - Business Central Extension
Overview
Elevate Dimensions is a Business Central extension that automates dimension management through configurable hierarchies. When a user selects a dimension value on a document or journal line, the extension automatically applies related parent dimension values based on rules you define. This eliminates repetitive manual entry and ensures consistent dimension coding across your organisation.
Key Benefits
- Save time - parent dimensions are filled in automatically when you enter a child dimension value, reducing data entry on every document and journal line.
- Improve accuracy - hierarchy rules enforce consistent dimension combinations, preventing mismatched or missing dimension values.
- Flexible hierarchy types - supports simple parent-child relationships, ragged hierarchies (where only some child values cascade), and multi-parent hierarchies (where a child value maps to more than one parent value, with user selection at runtime).
- Works everywhere - integrates with sales documents, purchase documents, general journals, item journals, default dimensions, and project task dimensions out of the box.
- Conflict detection - warns you at setup time if hierarchy rules would produce conflicting dimension values, so you can resolve issues before they affect transactions.
Setup Guide
Prerequisites
- Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central (version 27.0 or later).
- The DH_ADMIN permission set assigned to users who will configure hierarchy rules (see Permission Sets Required).
Configuring Hierarchy Rules
Open the Dimension Hierarchies page by searching for it in the Business Central search bar. This is where you define the rules that control automatic dimension assignment.
Each row on the page represents one hierarchy rule. The following fields are available:
| Field | Description |
|---|---|
| Child Dimension Code | The dimension that triggers the hierarchy. When a user selects a value for this dimension on a document or journal, the parent dimension value is automatically applied. |
| Child Dimension Name | Shows the name of the child dimension. |
| Child Dimension Value Code | The specific child dimension value that activates this rule. Only this value will trigger automatic assignment of the parent dimension value. |
| Child Dimension Value Name | Shows the name of the child dimension value. |
| Parent Dimension Code | The dimension that is automatically populated when the child dimension value is selected. This must be a different dimension than the child. |
| Parent Dimension Name | Shows the name of the parent dimension. |
| Parent Dimension Value Code | The value that is automatically assigned to the parent dimension. If multiple values exist for the same parent dimension (Multi-Parent), the user will be prompted to choose at runtime. |
| Parent Dimension Value Name | Shows the name of the parent dimension value. |
| Hierarchy Type | Shows the type of hierarchy for this entry. Standard means a single parent value per parent dimension. Multi-Parent means multiple parent values exist for the same parent dimension, and the user will be asked to select one at runtime. This field is set automatically. |
| Default Dim. Value Posting | The posting rule applied to the parent dimension when it is created as a Default Dimension. Use Code Mandatory to require a value, Same Code to enforce this specific value, or No Code to allow any value. |
| Overwrite Existing Dimension | Whether the parent dimension value should replace an existing value for the same dimension. If enabled, any current value for the parent dimension is replaced. If disabled, the existing value is kept and the hierarchy value is skipped. |
Configuring Allowed Tables
From the Dimension Hierarchies page, select the Allowed Tables action to open the list of tables where hierarchy rules are applied. Only tables in this list will have automatic dimension hierarchy processing when records are inserted or modified.
When adding a table, the extension validates that the table contains a Dimension Set ID field (field 480). Tables without this field cannot be used for dimension hierarchy processing and will be rejected.
Note: Adding a table to the allowed list enables hierarchy processing when records are inserted or modified (via the Dimension Set ID field). However, real-time hierarchy resolution on shortcut dimension columns (the dimension fields shown directly on page subforms) only works on pages that have a corresponding page extension installed. For tables without a page extension, hierarchies are still applied when the record is saved - users just won't see the shortcut dimension fields update in real time on the page.
The following tables are pre-configured on install:
- Sales Header, Sales Line
- Purchase Header, Purchase Line
- General Journal Line, Item Journal Line, Job Journal Line
- Sales Invoice Header/Line, Sales Credit Memo Header/Line
- Purchase Invoice Header/Line, Purchase Credit Memo Header/Line
- G/L Entry, Customer Ledger Entry, Vendor Ledger Entry, Item Ledger Entry, Job Ledger Entry
- Service Header, Service Line
- Transfer Header, Transfer Line
| Field | Description |
|---|---|
| Table No. | The table number that dimension hierarchies will be applied to. Use the lookup to browse available tables. Only tables with a Dimension Set ID field (480) are accepted. |
| Table Name | Shows the name of the allowed table. |
Visualizing Hierarchy Flow
From the Dimension Hierarchies page, select the Visualize Hierarchy Flow action to see the full cascade of rules that would be applied for a selected dimension value. The flow is displayed as an indented tree showing each level of the hierarchy, the rule type at each level, and any conflict warnings where the same dimension would be set to different values through different paths.
How to Use
Automatic Dimension Assignment on Document Lines
When you enter or change a shortcut dimension value on a document line (e.g., a sales order line, purchase invoice line, or journal line), the extension checks for matching hierarchy rules. If a rule exists:
- Standard hierarchy - the parent dimension value is applied automatically with no user interaction required.
- Multi-Parent hierarchy - a selection page appears listing all candidate parent values. Select one value per dimension and choose OK to apply.
The extension processes all shortcut dimensions (1 through 8) on the following document subforms:
- Sales Order, Sales Invoice, Sales Credit Memo, Sales Quote
- Purchase Order, Purchase Invoice, Purchase Credit Memo, Purchase Quote
- General Journal, Cash Receipt Journal, Payment Journal, Sales Journal, Purchase Journal, Recurring General Journal, IC General Journal, Fixed Asset G/L Journal, Job G/L Journal
- Item Journal, Item Reclass. Journal, Revaluation Journal
Automatic Dimension Assignment on Default Dimensions
When you add or change a Default Dimension on a record (e.g., a customer, vendor, or item), the extension checks for matching hierarchy rules and automatically creates additional Default Dimension entries for any parent dimensions defined in the hierarchy. These default dimensions are then carried forward automatically by Business Central onto any new documents and journal lines created for that record.
Automatic Dimension Assignment on Project Task Dimensions
When you add or change a dimension on a Project Task, the extension applies matching hierarchy rules to automatically populate parent dimensions on the task.
Example Scenarios
See Hierarchy Examples for detailed walkthroughs of the four supported hierarchy types: Balanced, Ragged, Unbalanced, and Multi-Parent (DAG).
Permission Sets Required
| Permission Set | Description |
|---|---|
| DH_ADMIN | Grants full read, insert, modify, and delete access to the Dimension Hierarchy Setup and Allowed Tables data. Assign this to users who need to create or edit hierarchy rules. |
Users who only need the automatic dimension assignment to work on their documents and journals do not require this permission set - the extension applies hierarchy rules using its own permissions during normal transaction processing.
FAQ
Q: Do I need to restart Business Central after installing this extension? A: No. The extension becomes active immediately after installation.
Q: What happens if I already have a value for the parent dimension on a line? A: This depends on the Overwrite Existing Dimension setting on the hierarchy rule. If enabled, the existing value is replaced. If disabled, the existing value is kept and the hierarchy rule is skipped for that dimension.
Q: What is a Multi-Parent hierarchy? A: A Multi-Parent hierarchy means a single child dimension value maps to more than one parent value for the same parent dimension. When this occurs, the extension prompts the user to choose which parent value to apply. The Hierarchy Type field is set to Multi-Parent automatically when you create such a rule.
Q: Can I create circular hierarchies (e.g., A maps to B and B maps back to A)? A: No. The extension detects cycles when you create or modify a hierarchy rule and prevents circular references.
Q: Will this extension affect my existing data? A: No. Hierarchy rules only apply going forward when dimension values are entered or changed. Existing records are not modified.
Q: What happens if I uninstall the extension? A: The hierarchy rules and Allowed Tables configuration will no longer be accessible. Dimension values that were previously applied by the extension remain on your documents and ledger entries. Consult your administrator regarding data retention policies before uninstalling.
Q: Can I control which tables the extension processes? A: Yes. Use the Allowed Tables page to add or remove tables. Only tables in this list will have automatic hierarchy processing. The extension validates that any table you add contains a Dimension Set ID field (480). Note that adding a table enables hierarchy processing on insert/modify, but real-time shortcut dimension updates on pages require a corresponding page extension to be installed.
Q: What does the Visualize Hierarchy Flow action do? A: It lets you select a dimension value and see a tree view of all hierarchy rules that would cascade from that value, including any conflict warnings. This is useful for reviewing complex or multi-level hierarchies before they affect live transactions.
Updated Pages and Field Changes
New Pages
| Page | Description |
|---|---|
| Dimension Hierarchies | The main setup page where you define parent-child dimension hierarchy rules. |
| Allowed Tables | A list of Business Central tables where hierarchy rules are automatically applied on insert and modify. |
| Hierarchy Flow | A read-only tree view that visualizes the full cascade of hierarchy rules for a selected dimension value, including conflict warnings. |
| Line Dimension Selection | A selection page that appears at runtime when a Multi-Parent hierarchy requires the user to choose which parent dimension value to apply. |
Modified Pages
| Page | Change |
|---|---|
| Sales Order Subform | Shortcut dimension fields (1-8) trigger automatic hierarchy rule processing when a value is entered or changed. |
| Sales Invoice Subform | Shortcut dimension fields (1-8) trigger automatic hierarchy rule processing when a value is entered or changed. |
| Sales Credit Memo Subform | Shortcut dimension fields (1-8) trigger automatic hierarchy rule processing when a value is entered or changed. |
| Sales Quote Subform | Shortcut dimension fields (1-8) trigger automatic hierarchy rule processing when a value is entered or changed. |
| Purchase Order Subform | Shortcut dimension fields (1-8) trigger automatic hierarchy rule processing when a value is entered or changed. |
| Purchase Invoice Subform | Shortcut dimension fields (1-8) trigger automatic hierarchy rule processing when a value is entered or changed. |
| Purchase Credit Memo Subform | Shortcut dimension fields (1-8) trigger automatic hierarchy rule processing when a value is entered or changed. |
| Purchase Quote Subform | Shortcut dimension fields (1-8) trigger automatic hierarchy rule processing when a value is entered or changed. |
| General Journal | Shortcut dimension fields (1-8) trigger automatic hierarchy rule processing when a value is entered or changed. |
| Cash Receipt Journal | Shortcut dimension fields (1-8) trigger automatic hierarchy rule processing when a value is entered or changed. |
| Payment Journal | Shortcut dimension fields (1-8) trigger automatic hierarchy rule processing when a value is entered or changed. |
| Sales Journal | Shortcut dimension fields (1-8) trigger automatic hierarchy rule processing when a value is entered or changed. |
| Purchase Journal | Shortcut dimension fields (1-8) trigger automatic hierarchy rule processing when a value is entered or changed. |
| Recurring General Journal | Shortcut dimension fields (1-8) trigger automatic hierarchy rule processing when a value is entered or changed. |
| IC General Journal | Shortcut dimension fields (1-8) trigger automatic hierarchy rule processing when a value is entered or changed. |
| Fixed Asset G/L Journal | Shortcut dimension fields (1-8) trigger automatic hierarchy rule processing when a value is entered or changed. |
| Job G/L Journal | Shortcut dimension fields (1-8) trigger automatic hierarchy rule processing when a value is entered or changed. |
| Item Journal | Shortcut dimension fields (1-8) trigger automatic hierarchy rule processing when a value is entered or changed. |
| Item Reclass. Journal | Shortcut dimension fields (1-8) trigger automatic hierarchy rule processing when a value is entered or changed. |
| Revaluation Journal | Shortcut dimension fields (1-8) trigger automatic hierarchy rule processing when a value is entered or changed. |