Data Clean with Rapid Start: Populating Dimension Data

This is the final part of a three-part series to demonstrate how RapidStart can be utilized. You can view part 1 here and part 2 here.

RapidStart.  These words are a mystery for the average NAV user.  Something they’ve heard about but are afraid of.  Is it a myth or fact that this RapidStart can help a company correct data, populate newly setup dimensions and add records?  It is no myth and I hope that by the time you finish this series you will realize that RapidStart can be a very powerful tool to help with data population.

Important Note: I highly recommend that you practice any RapidStart data changes in your Test Database before making changes to your Live/Production Database.

Below is our third example. 

Scenario 3:  Implementing a new Dimension code

You have added a new Global Dimension code called Department that should be able to categorize your financial reporting and analysis by Department.  You have already followed the steps to add a Global Dimension.  Now you need to populate the dimension on your items.  This could take a long time opening each item, clicking on Dimensions and adding the dimension.

Let’s see how RapidStart will help you populate your dimensions.

Please note that there are two tables for Dimensions.  If you are updating a Global Dimension, you will update it on the related table.  For instance, if you have a Global Dimension called Department and you want to update your Dimension Value on the Item Table, you will see an actual field in RapidStart Called Global Dimension 1 but in the Item Table you will see the field listed as Department.

If you are updating a Shortcut Dimension, you will need to update the Default Dimension Table #352.  I will cover this table in a future blog.

Let’s get back to our Global Dimension example.

• Please note for any of the details on how to add a Package or worksheet, see the first of this three-part series for the detailed steps.

1. You will first want to add a Package, if needed.
2. Next you will want to Add the Table to the Configuration Worksheet, if needed, and Assign a Package.
3. Go into No of Fields Available in the Fact Box- Package Table and select the fields needed.
4. Next you will Export the Template to Excel so that you can add the department to your Items in your spreadsheet.

   Reminder: you can modify all the records this way or if you only have a handful to modify – delete the rows you are not modifying from your spreadsheet before importing.

   Note: In this example, we are only adding to the item table but when adding a Global dimension there will be other tables you may want to populate.

5. Import your Template into NAV Worksheet.
6. Apply the Data.

Congratulations!  You have successfully added data to your Global Dimension ‘Departments’ in your Item Table.

Error Handling:

After Applying the Data if there are any errors they will display on the Package Table Fact Box.

You can Drill down to see what record an error is occurring on and select Show Error.

You can fix the errors and Apply Data.  If there are a lot of errors, you can fix them in the worksheet, re-import and apply.

 Note:  NAV validates the data to make sure the changes you are making are allowed.  See below – it did not allow me to make a change to the ‘Base Unit of Measure’ because there have been entries posted to this item. 

Error Message:  ‘Config. Package Table does not exist…’

This error could happen when you import a Table. 

It is telling you that the Package name on the imported table does not match the Package on the worksheet line. This error is easy to fix.  Correct the Spreadsheet and re-import.  If this doesn’t work, I have re-exported to a new name, copy and pasted my data to the new worksheet and then re-import.

I hope that this article has eliminated the mystery behind RapidStart.   Through these exercises and examples, I hope that you have found some great uses for RapidStart that will help you.

Check out part 3 of our webinars on Data clean up with RapidStart : Populating Data below to learn more.

Check out our blog page here for more information and other topics of interest, or drop us a line at info@innovia.com.