Year: 2024

Working with Power Automate Child Flows: Create a Child Flow

Ian Grieve3 minute read3 Comments

Power AutomateThis article is part of the Working with Power Automate Child Flows series and of the larger Working with Power Automate series I am writing on my experiences working with the Power Automate, which is part of the Power Platform from Microsoft. I also have a related series of articles on Power Automate with Microsoft Dynamics 365 BC.

Child flows in Power Automate are quite easy to create and there is actually very little difference between creating a child flow and a normal flow; the main difference is actually in the final step of the child flow. In this example, I’m going to create a simple child flow, including a step to send an email, just to show a complete flow.

Child flows are created as instant cloud flows. To create a child flow, open your solution and click New » Automation » Cloud flow » Instant:

Power Automate Solution page with the menu open to create a new Instant cloud flow

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New Functionality In Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central 2024 Wave 1: Be More Productive When Approving Time Sheets

Ian Grieve3 minute read0 comment

Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business CentralThis post is part of the New Functionality In Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central 2024 Wave 1 series in which I am taking a look at the new functionality introduced in Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central 2024 Wave 1.

The 23rd of the new functionality in the Application section is be more productive when approving time sheets.

The ability to quickly and easily approve multiple time sheets at the same time makes the approval process more efficient for managers. Reducing the time and effort managers spend on reviewing and approving individual time sheets gives them more time to focus on their core business.

Enabled for: Users, automatically
Public Preview: Mar 2024
General Availability: Apr 2024

Feature Details

You can now set up how Business Central will handle empty lines during submission for approval by choosing Time Submission Policy in the Resource Setup page:

  • Choose Empty Lines Not Submitted to skip lines that don’t contain hours to submit. This is the default setting.
  • Choose Stop and Show Empty Line Error to stop processing the time sheet if one or more lines are missing hours.
Shows Resource Setup with Time Submission Policy field highlighted

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MADIC dynamics Knowledge Hub Webinar on Tuesday 19th March 2024: Extending Business Central with Power Automate

Ian Grieve1 minute read0 comment

MADIC dynamicsHere at MADIC dynamics we will be presenting a Knowledge Hub Webinar at 1400 UK time on Tuesday.

Learn how Business Central can be extended with Power Automate, from approvals to process automation to document distribution and more.

The webinar is open to everyone who wants to sign up and join:

No march-2024 events found.

Working with Power Automate Child Flows: What are Child Flows?

Ian Grieve6 minute read0 comment

Power AutomateThis article is part of the Working with Power Automate Child Flows series and of the larger Working with Power Automate series I am writing on my experiences working with the Power Automate, which is part of the Power Platform from Microsoft. I also have a related series of articles on Power Automate with Microsoft Dynamics 365 BC.

As I mentioned in the article on managing large flows in Power Automate, there are two ways of managing large flows by breaking them down; the first is using scopes which allow you to segment a large flow into different sections, but this approach keeps the flow as one large flow and does retain some of the problems inherent in doing this.

The second approach is to break the large flow up into a number of child flows. This method forms part of a typical approach to ALM (application lifecycle management). As well as allowing you to break a flow down into multiple smaller flows, making them easier to understand and maintain, the child flowa approach means these smaller child flows become reusable, so you can use them again and again within different flows without needing to create the same set of steps within every flow. This can be very useful when creating a set of flows with similar purpose, such as a suite of approval workflows, where you need to check the users automatic reply settings on their mailbox to see if a delegation is required.

This re-usability is a key reason why child flows should be used wherever a set of steps would otherwise need to be replicated; by creating and calling the child flow each time, instead of replicating the steps, it is easier to maintain if changes are required in future, but also means there can be no variance in the logic which is applied to this set of repeatable steps.

There are some potential issues around using child flows, which it is probably worth mentioning:

  • Child flows are only available within a solution (technically there is a way to use them outside of a solution, but all your flows should be within a solution anyway as part of ALM and deployment to production via a managed solution.
  • Child flows are only accessible from within the solution they were created, so you can;t deploy two solutions and have them access the child flow.
  • Related to the above point, if you want to use the same child flow in a second solution, you need to manually recreate it as a new child flow within the second solution, as it likely won’t work correctly if you import it (the same is true of the parent flow calling the child).
  • Input variables can be passed from the parent flow to the child flow; if you need a lot of parameters passing in, then creating them as an array

As with much else around Power Automate flows, proper planning and design is required before you start building the flows.

Working with Power Automate

Working with Power Automate
What is Power Automate?
What Type of Flow Are Available?
What Type of Cloud Flows Are Available?
Power Automate with Business Central
Working with Power Automate Solutions: What Are Solutions?
Working with Power Automate Solutions: What Types of Solution Are There?
Working with Power Automate Solutions: What is a Solution Publisher?
Working with Power Automate Solutions: Create a Solution Publisher
Working with Power Automate Solutions: Create a Solution
Working with Power Automate Solutions: Publish a Solution
Working with Power Automate Solutions: Version Numbering for Solutions
Working with Power Automate Solutions: Exporting An Unmanaged Solution
Working with Power Automate Solutions: Importing An Unmanaged Solution
Working with Power Automate Solutions: Exporting A Managed Solution
Working with Power Automate Solutions: Importing A Managed Solution
Working with Power Automate Solutions: Change the Managed Properties of a Solution Component
Create a Visio Diagram of a Flow
What Are Environment Variables and Why Should They be Used?
Create an Environment Variable
Create a New Cloud Flow From a Template
Managing Large Flows
What is a Scope?
Example of How to Use a Scope
Best Practice For Using Scopes
Working with Power Automate Child Flows: What are Child Flows?
Working with Power Automate Child Flows: Create a Child Flow
Working with Power Automate Child Flows: Change Run Only Users For Child Flow
Working with Power Automate Child Flows: Add a Child Flow To a Parent Flow
Working with Power Automate Child Flows: Test the Parent/Child Flow Examples
Working with Power Automate Child Flows: Error Encountered Saving a Flow Which Calls a Child Flow
Working with Power Automate Child Flows: Error Encountered With Surprise Extra Parameters for a Child Flow
Calculate 30 Days Ago

New Functionality In Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central 2024 Wave 1: Prevent Editing Number Series on Service Documents and Cards

Ian Grieve2 minute read0 comment

Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business CentralThis post is part of the New Functionality In Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central 2024 Wave 1 series in which I am taking a look at the new functionality introduced in Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central 2024 Wave 1.

The 22nd of the new functionality in the section is Prevent editing number series on service documents and cards.

For each company where you set up service management, you must assign unique identification codes to things such as service items, invoices, and other documents. Numbering isn’t only important for identification purposes. A well-designed numbering system also makes the company more manageable and easier to analyze, and can reduce the number of errors that occur in data entry.

Enabled for: Users, automatically
Public Preview: Mar 2024
General Availability: Apr 2024

Feature Details

Behavior of the No. field on documents and cards

On service documents and all cards, the No. field can be filled in automatically from a predefined number series, or you can add it manually. However, under certain circumstances, the No. field isn’t available so that you can’t edit its value.

Invisible No. field

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New Functionality In Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central 2024 Wave 1: Correct Errors in Service Invoices

Ian Grieve3 minute read0 comment

Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business CentralThis post is part of the New Functionality In Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central 2024 Wave 1 series in which I am taking a look at the new functionality introduced in Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central 2024 Wave 1.

The 21st of the new functionality in the Application section is correct errors in service invoices.

Mistakes can happen, so it’s important to be able to quickly correct them. This update enhances your flexibility and efficiency in managing service contracts and invoices by making it easier to fix mistakes.

Enabled for: Users, automatically
Public Preview: Mar 2024
General Availability: Apr 2024

Feature Details

You can delete service invoices that have service ledger entries associated with them. This means that you can correct errors or make changes to service invoices without getting stuck or losing data. For example, if you forget to assign a product posting group to a G/L account, you can add it later and recreate the service invoice.

Use the Delete action to delete a service invoice. A corrective service ledger entry will be posted, and the invoicing date and invoicing period will be restored in the service contract so you can create the invoice again. Note that you can revert several invoices, but you must do it sequentially starting from the very last invoice. Business Central won’t allow you to delete a service invoice if its details, such as the invoicing period or the prepaid toggle were changed in the related service contract. Make sure that you delete invoices before you make such changes.

My Opinion

this looks to be a useful enhancement for correcting errors. While we all want to avoid errors, sometimes they happen and an easy ay to correct them is welcome.

Click to show/hide the New Functionality In Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central 2024 Wave 1 Series Index

New Functionality In Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central 2024 Wave 1
Use Virtual Tables to Expose More Business Central Data in Dataverse
Improve Approval Processes via Power Automate
Add Table and Field Mappings for Existing Integration Tables
Find a Matching Record in a Power Automate Flow
Archive Projects
Usability Improves for Service and Projects
Use Deferral Codes in Purchase and Sales Journals
Define a Service Invoice Posting Policy for Various Users
Define Default Location for Project or Project Phase
Block Item, Item Variant or Service Item from Use in Service Management transactions
Connect Business Central With Shopify B2B
Set Up Financial Consolidation Runs More Efficiently
Simpler Shopify Connection
Use General Ledger Account Revaluation for More Accurate Financial Statements
Get More Productive While Entering Time Sheets
Create Projects That You Can Invoice to Multiple Customers
Assemble to Project
Invoice a Customer for Multiple Projects
Use New Excel Layouts for 35 Selected Reports
Use Standard Terminology for Project Management
Use Currencies When Posting Employee Transactions
Manage Work Orders in Field Service, Invoice Them in Business Central
Manage Document Attachments in Service Items and Documents
Export and Import Multiline Text Using Configuration Packages
Correct Errors in Service Invoices
Prevent Editing Number Series on Service Documents and Cards
Be More Productive When Approving Time Sheets
Inventory Package Numbers Work Like Item Tracking Dimensions
Assign Salesperson to Customer Ship-to Addresses
View Incoming Documents in Archived Quotes and Orders
Specify Dimensions on Posted Entries Applications With Realized Gains or Losses
Allow Lines with Amounts of Zero on Recurring General Journals
Automate the Reminders Process in Collections
See Improved Usability for Warehouse and Inventory
Ensure Accurate Inventory Valuation by Controlling Cost Adjustment
Use a New Role Center for Collection Management
Manage Subscription Billing and Revenue and Expense Recognition
Enable Sustainability Features for Integrations with APIs
Install Field Service Integration with Business Central from AppSource
Introduce Power Automate Copilot Integration with Business Central
Map e-Documents to Purchase Order Lines with Copilot
Create Sales Lines Easily with Copilot
Extend Copilot Using Richer Development Tools
Get to Insights Faster with Copilot-Generated Analysis Tabs
Complete Bank Account Reconciliation Faster With Copilot
Create Product Information Faster with Copilot
Learn More About Fields with Copilot
Chat with Copilot
Simplify collections with Copilot for Finance and Business Central
Automate Tests for your Copilot Extensions with the Business Central Test Toolkit
Automate IRS 1099 Form Submission in US
Enable Additional Countries and Regions
Install UK Localization as an App
Process Czech Bank Statements, Payment Orders More Productively
Improvement of Czech Localization Reports
Report Explorer has Additional Outputs in the Czech Version
Improved Updates of ARES Data in the Czech Version
Allow More Extendability of Advance Payments in the Czech Version
Print QR Codes on Sales Invoices in the Czech Version
Use Excel Layouts for Czech Reports
Handle Multiple File Uploads and File Drop Zones
Debug the System Application
Remove Friction When Working with External App Dependencies
Use In-client Page Scripting Tool for Acceptance Testing
Use AL-controlled Barcode Scanning For All Scenarios
Write flexible and performant code with NumberSequences
Use the OData V4 IN Operator in Web Service Queries
Define Extension Objects in Same App as Their Base Object
Use Cookies in HTTP Calls From Business Central
Define Tooltips on Table Fields
Use Linked Environment in Dataverse Integration
Audit Business Central Operations in Microsoft Purview
Encrypt Data At-Rest with Customer-Managed Encryption Key
Allow Customers to Consent to Microsoft Support Accessing Their Data
Link Business Central Environments to Power Platform Environments
Copy Companies with Dataverse Integration Safely
View and Filter Users With Additional User Details
Control partner access per environment
Analyze Telemetry Events Across Browser and Server for a Session or User
Use Premium License to Sign In to Environment with Essentials Licenses
Experience the New Embedded AppSource Marketplace Page
Migrate Record Links and Notes with Cloud Migration Tooling
See VAT Date in Posting Previews
Automate Country of Origin Listed for Item Tracking Code in Intrastat Reporting
Achieve Sustainable Compliance with Business Central
Discover Report and Data Analysis Content Easily
Use Drag and Drop to Attach Multiple Files
Use Actions to Navigate and Highlight or Fix Platform-Generated Errors
Share Error Details to Get Help from Another User
Access Worksheet Pages from Mobile Phones
Boost Productivity With the Modern Action Bar
Enhancements to the User Experience

Working with Power Automate Child Flows: Series Index

Ian Grieve2 minute read0 comment

Power AutomateAs I have a number of articles to write on Power Automate child flows, I’ve decided to break these out into a sub-series of the main Working with Power Automate series; they will appear as posts within both series in the order written, so you can easily access and read them from within either.

The series index, below, will automatically update if you’re reading the original article on azurecurve | Ramblings of an IT Professional. If you’re reading elsewhere, the original article, which will update automatically is here.

Working with Power Automate Child Flows
What are Child Flows?
Create a Child Flow
Change Run Only Users For Child Flow
Add a Child Flow To a Parent Flow
Test the Parent/Child Flow Examples
Error Encountered Saving a Flow Which Calls a Child Flow
Error Encountered With Surprise Extra Parameters for a Child Flow

New Functionality In Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central 2024 Wave 1: Export and Import Multiline Text Using Configuration Packages

Ian Grieve2 minute read0 comment

Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business CentralThis post is part of the New Functionality In Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central 2024 Wave 1 series in which I am taking a look at the new functionality introduced in Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central 2024 Wave 1.

The 20th of the new functionality in the section is export and import multiline text using Configuration Packages.

Avoid having to manually export and import multiline text by using an improved configuration packages capability that allows you to do that with efficiency and ease. This feature is especially useful for businesses that deal with large amounts of multiline texts and need to transfer them between different companies or environments.

Enabled for: Users, automatically
Public Preview: Mar 2024
General Availability: Apr 2024

Feature Details

You can now use BLOB type fields, which usually contain multiline text, to import and export data using Configuration Packages.

Simply choose Include Field on the Config. Package Fields page to include fields that contain multiline text, such as the Work Description field, in your package.

Shows configuration package fields page with Work description (BLOB) field included

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New Functionality In Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central 2024 Wave 1: Manage Document Attachments in Service Items and Documents

Ian Grieve4 minute read0 comment

Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business CentralThis post is part of the New Functionality In Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central 2024 Wave 1 series in which I am taking a look at the new functionality introduced in Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central 2024 Wave 1.

The 19th of the new functionality in the section is manage document attachments in service items and documents.

Digitalize document management of service-related documents (such as maintenance manuals, warranty certificates, or inspection reports) by attaching them directly to service items, contracts, and invoices. Access critical documentation on the go, ensuring efficient service delivery.

Enabled for: Users, automatically
Public Preview: Mar 2024
General Availability: Apr 2024

Feature Details

In this release, Microsoft have made document attachments available on pages in Service Management. The Document Attachment FactBox is available in multiple places, like:

  • Service Item Card (page 5980 "Service Item Card")
  • Service Items (page 5981 "Service Item List")
  • Service Items (page 5988 "Service Items")
  • Service Contract (page 6050 "Service Contract")
  • Service Contracts (page 9321 "Service Contracts")
  • Service Contract Quote (page 6053 "Service Contract Quote")
  • Service Contract Quotes (page 9322 "Service Contract Quotes")
  • Service Credit Memo (page 5935 "Service Credit Memo")
  • Service Credit Memos (page 9320 "Service Credit Memos")
  • Service Invoice (page 5933 "Service Invoice")
  • Service Invoices (page 9319 "Service Invoices")
  • Service Order (page 5900 "Service Order")
  • Service Orders (page 9318 "Service Orders")
  • Service Lines (page 5905 "Service Lines")
  • Service Quote (page 5964 "Service Quote")
  • Service Quotes (page 9317 "Service Quotes")
  • Service Quote Lines (page 5966 "Service Quote Lines")
  • Posted Service Credit Memo (page 5972 "Posted Service Credit Memo")
  • Posted Service Credit Memos (page 5971 "Posted Service Credit Memos")
  • Posted Service Invoice (page 5978 "Posted Service Invoice")
  • Posted Service Invoices (page 5977 "Posted Service Invoices")
Service Item

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Function in Jet Reports to Get List into a String

Ian Grieve2 minute read0 comment

Jet ReportsWhile working on a Jet Report for a client recently, working with data from Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central, I had need to return the output of an NL Filter into another function which required a string rather than a list, which meant that I couldn’t use the NL Filter directly.

Fortunately, there is a What in the NP Jet function which allows you to exactly this.

My NL Filter was in cell D4 which I can reference in the Array field of the NP function; the third field to set is the Join String which is the character which will separate the joined items from the list; you need to place the double quotes around the join string yourself:

Jet Function Wizard with a What of Join, Array of $D4 and Join String of "|"

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