Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central provides several options to the user to filter the data in Business Central, including the powerful Analysis mode.
Analysis mode
This allows users to dive deeper into their data, offering advanced filtering and visualisation options to uncover insights and trends. You can find more information in a related blog topic.
Filtering data
This post will show different ways to filter the data in Business Central. Make sure you bookmark these gems to refer back to later.
Filter Pane
The Filter Pane can be shown or hidden by clicking the Filter Pane icon in the upper right-hand side of the page layout or using a shortcut key Shift+F3.
When a filtering value is entered to a field, the column name of the field is indicated with the icon as per in the screenshot below in the ‘Name’ column. When a filter is applied, the page will display the record as specified in the filter and therefore reduces the number of records making it easier for finding a specific record in the page. Clicking the + Filter action allows adding more field as a filtering parameter.
Searching
A Search 🔎 action exists at the top of every list page. This provides a quick and easy way to search for specific record in the page list that contains the data that has been entered in the Search field. For example, you are interested in viewing only the Vendors in VIC state, searching for “VIC” will show only the Victorian vendors in list. Searching will attempt to match the text across all fields in the list which means if a Vendor exists with “vic” text, it will be included in the searched list even the vendor resides on different State.
Filtering on Lists
Filters can also be applied in the list by clicking the drop-down arrow in the column heading. Click Filter and this will add the field in the Filter Pane then enter the filtering parameters. Alternatively, you can also choose to Filter This Value which will filter the specific record that is selected in the list.
Filter Criteria and Operators
Filter expressions can be entered in filters allowing you to view a set or range of filtered data based on the criteria. The following are a list of expressions that can be used in filters, with a result of the records that will be displayed.
| Filtering Expression | Records Displayed |
| 1100..2100 | Numbers 1100 through 2100 |
| ..2500 | Up to and including 2500 |
| 2500.. | Numbers 2500 and up |
| 1200|1300 | Numbers with 1200 or 1300 |
| <>0 | All numbers except 0 |
| >1200 | Numbers greater than 1200 |
| >=1200 | Numbers greater than or equal to 1200 |
| <1200 | Numbers less than 1200 |
| >200&<1200 | Numbers greater than 200 and less than 1200 |
| 5999|8100..8490 | Include any records with the number 5999 or a number from the interval 8100 through 8490. |
| ..1299|1400.. | Include records with a number less than or equal to 1299 or a number equal to 1400 or greater (all numbers except 1300 through 1399). |
| >50&<100 | Include records with numbers that are greater than 50 and less than 100 (numbers 51 through 99). |
| ‘man’ | Text that matches man exactly and is case-sensitive |
| ” | Text that is empty or blank |
| @man* | Text that starts with man and is not case-sensitive |
| *Co* | Text that contains Co and is case-sensitive |
| *Co | Text that ends with Co and is case-sensitive |
| Co* | Text that begins with Co and is case-sensitive |
| Hans?n | Text such as Hansen or Hanson |
If the value contains a Symbol such as the ones below:
- &
- (
- )
- =
- |
The filtering expression should contain a single quote before and after the value.
| Filtering Expression | Records Displayed |
| ‘R&D’ | Text that matches R&D |
| ‘*(for example)*’ | Text that contains (for example) |
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Daniel Argus is NFP Division Manager at EBS. Daniel has extensive experience with Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central and Dynamics NAV implementations, providing training to multiple users and onsite support and guidance.