Within NAV, there are numerous defaults and rules that can be applied to ensure end users can perform their work efficiently and accurately. Included in that list are Dimension Combinations, Default Dimensions, and Default Dimension Priority.
Dimension Combinations
Dimension Combinations help provide additional accuracy when dealing with Dimensions. In a nutshell, they prevent you from posting something that doesn’t belong where you are attempting to put it and from combining Dimensions that don’t belong together.
To set up Dimension Combinations, use the search box or follow the path:
Departments > Administration > Application Setup > Financial Management > Dimensions > Dimension Combinations
In the Dimension Combinations window, you will see all Dimensions listed both in rows and columns under the Dimension Combinations Matrix FastTab. If your organization has more than the standard 8 Dimensions, fear not! Those Dimensions will still be available for determining combination rules even though they may not be visible on Document Lines.
Aside from where the row and column are equal, three settings exist for each combination: No Limitations, Limited, and Blocked. You can access the settings window by selecting the combination field and doing any of the following things:
This is the default setting. The dimension combination is always allowed. This means that all combinations of Dimension Values for the row and column Dimensions are allowed on entries.
Limited
The dimension combination is only allowed under certain circumstances. This means that not every Dimension Value for the row Dimension can be combined with the column Dimension. Limited combinations are set by the user.
Once the Limited setting is selected in the settings window, it will appear in the field. To block specific Dimension Value combinations, you’ll need to open the editing window by, once again, doing any of the following:
Listed are all combinations of Dimension Values for the specified Dimension Combination. The Dimension Values corresponding to the Dimensions from the Dimension Combination Matrix are represented in the rows and columns respectively.
Dimension Value Combination restriction options can be selected by:
Here you can determine if the Dimension Value Combination is Open or Blocked.
Blocked
The Dimension Combination is never allowed. This means that no combinations of Dimension Values for the row and column Dimensions are allowed on entries.
Looking back at our Dimension Combination Matrix, we see that CUSTOMERGROUP and BUSINESSGROUP is a Limited combination. Upon drilling down to the Dimension Value Combination Matrix, we see that HOME and INSTITUTION is the only blocked combination. This means that no entries with a CUSTOMERGROUP value of HOME and BUSINESSGROUP value of INSTITUTION will be allowed, but all other combinations of CUSTOMERGROUP and BUSINESSGROUP values will be allowed.
In addition, we see that PROJECT and CUSTOMERGROUP is a Blocked relationship. This means that no entries with those Dimensions will be allowed.
You’ll also notice that the reverse combinations are also marked as Limited and Blocked. For your convenience, this is automatically done once the settings of the first combination are specified.
Default Dimensions
What is the one thing you can’t take out of manual data entry? Human error! Let’s say your company processes 1,000 transactions each day. Imagine your employees entering Dimensions on each individual line for each of those 1,000 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:
Rule |
Description |
Blank |
No posting restriction. |
Code Mandatory |
A dimension value is required for posting. |
Same Code |
The specified dimension value is required for posting. |
No Code |
Do not use dimension values. |
Setting up Default Dimensions for a Single Account
Example: Item 1001 need to be assigned the Dimension PRODUCTGROUP and required Dimension Value of BICYCLE.
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:
Dimension |
Dimension Value and Value Posting |
AREA |
· Default value is 30 · A value is required but can be any value |
BUSINESSGROUP |
· Default value is INDUSTRIAL · A value is not required |
CUSTOMERGROUP |
· Required code is SMALL |
DEPARTMENT |
· Default value is SALES · A value is not required |
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
With Default Dimension Priorities
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: