The FactBox was introduced as part of Microsoft Dynamics NAV 2009 alongside the RoleTailored Client (RTC). Since then, the tool has remained pivotal to the product portfolio and for bringing vital information to the surface for users. Today, Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central users can make use of this key feature.
The FactBox in Business Central stands out in the enterprise resource planning (ERP) marketplace for several reasons:
- Contextual Information: A FactBox can provide relevant, contextual information related to the page’s main content, such as displaying a customer’s sales history on a sales order page.
- Customization: FactBoxes are highly customizable, enabling businesses to display pertinent information like charts, notes, links, images, and external data.
- Integration With Other Systems: FactBoxes can integrate data from other systems, such as Power BI or Bing Maps, enhancing the ERP system’s overall functionality and usability.
- User-Friendly Interface: The FactBox pane is designed to be user-friendly, allowing users to show or hide with a simple click, which helps to keep the interface clean.
- Enhanced Decision Making: By presenting key performance metrics and other critical data in an easily accessible format, a FactBox can help the system user make informed decisions quickly.
Using a FactBox in Business Central
Here’s an explanation of how to add a FactBox to a page in Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central.
- Consider the Purpose of the FactBox: A FactBox is displayed on the right side of a page, providing extra details related to the main content. For instance, a FactBox might show the customer’s sales history or outstanding balance when viewing a sales order.
- Adding a FactBox: To add a FactBox, you define a dedicated section in the page definition called the FactBox area. The FactBox area acts as a placeholder where you can insert various parts, such as charts, notes, or links to related records.
- Supported Page Types: FactBoxes can be included on multiple page types, including Card, Document, ListPlus, List, and Worksheet pages. The way you add a FactBox may vary slightly depending on the page type, but the overall concept remains consistent.
- Parts of a FactBox: Within the FactBox area, you can add different parts based on what data you want to display:
- ListParts or CardParts: Show related records or fields, e.g., a list of recent transactions.
- Charts or Cues: Present performance metrics or progress indicators.
- External Data: Integrate services like Power BI or Bing Maps to enrich user insights.
- Example Code: Here’s an example of how you might define a FactBox in code.
page 50100 "Simple Customer List Page"
{
ApplicationArea = All
PageType = List;
layout
{
area(Content)
{
Repeater(General)
{
field(“No.”; rec.”No.”)
{
ApplicationArea = All;
}
field(Name; rec.Name)
{
ApplicationArea = All;
}
}
}
area(FactBoxes)
{
part(MyFactBox; "Sales Hist. Sell-to FactBox")
{
ApplicationArea = Basic, Suite;
SubPageLink = "No." = field("No."),
"Currency Filter" = field("Currency Filter"),
"Date Filter" = field("Date Filter"),
"Global Dimension 1 Filter" = field("Global Dimension 1 Filter"),
"Global Dimension 2 Filter" = field("Global Dimension 2 Filter");
}
systempart(Links; Links)
{
ApplicationArea = All;
}
systempart(Notes; Notes)
{
ApplicationArea = All;
}
}
}
}
- User Interaction: Users can show or hide the FactBox by clicking an icon in the top right corner of the page. When the FactBox pane is collapsed, FactBoxes do not load when the page is opened.
Overall, FactBoxes in Business Central can enhance the user experience by providing relevant, customizable, and easily accessible information, making them a valuable ERP feature.
Learn more about FactBoxes from Microsoft.
How Forvis Mazars Can Help
For help with how to use a FactBox in Business Central, connect with a professional at Forvis Mazars today. We are a certified Microsoft Partner. Business Technology Services at Forvis Mazars provides analysis, design, implementation, upgrades, automation, training, monitoring, and support services for Business Central and other Microsoft Dynamics business applications.
Related reading: How to Change Date Format in Business Central