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Dimension Hierarchies for Business Central

Dimension Hierarchies is a Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central app that automates the assignment of related dimension values based on configurable parent-child relationships. When a user selects a dimension value on a document, journal, or master record, the extension automatically populates all associated hierarchical dimensions — eliminating manual entry and ensuring consist across your financial data.

The Challenges​

In many organisations, dimensions are closely related. For example, selecting a Cost Centre should always assign the corresponding Department and Division. Without automation, users must manually enter each related dimension on every transaction — leading to:

  • Inconsistent dimension tagging across documents and journals
  • Time-consuming data entry for every sales order, purchase invoice, or journal line
  • Reporting inaccuracies caused by missing or mismatched dimension values
  • Onboarding friction for new users who may not know the correct dimension relationships

The Solution​

Dimension Hierarchies lets you define relationships once and automatically enforces them everywhere. When a child dimension value is entered — whether on a document line, a master record, or through an integration — the extension resolves the full hierarchy and populates all parent dimension values in real time.

Key Features​

Automated Dimension Propagation​

Define parent-child relationships between any dimensions in Business Central. When a child dimension value is selected, all associated parent values are automatically applied — no user intervention required.

Multi-Level Hierarchies​

Hierarchies are not limited to a single level. If Cost Centre maps to Department, and Department maps to Division, all levels are resolved recursively in a single operation.

Multiple Parent Dimensions​

A single child dimension value can map to multiple parent dimensions. For example, a Project Code can simultaneously derive a Department, a Region, and a Cost Type.

Full Document and Journal Coverage​

The extension operates at the dimension set level, meaning it works across all standard Business Central documents and journals — sales orders, purchase invoices, general journals, and more — without requiring page-specific customisation.

Default Dimension Support​

When default dimensions are assigned to master data such as customers, vendors, or items, the hierarchy is applied automatically. This ensures that every new transaction inherits the correct dimension structure from the outset.

Project (Job) Task Dimensions​

Dimension hierarchies are applied to Job Task dimensions, including global and shortcut dimensions, keeping project-based reporting aligned with your organisational structure.

Table Exceptions​

Exclude specific tables from automatic hierarchy processing. This gives administrators fine-grained control over which areas of the system are affected.

Overwrite Control​

For each hierarchy rule, choose whether the parent dimension value should overwrite an existing value or preserve it. This allows you to balance automation with user flexibility.

Default Dimension Value Posting Type​

Configure the posting type (e.g., Code Mandatory, Same Code, No Code) for automatically created default dimensions, maintaining your posting validation rules.

API Access​

Manage dimension hierarchy rules programmatically through a dedicated REST API (v1.0), enabling integration with external systems and bulk configuration workflows.

Simple Setup​

Enable or disable the entire feature from a single Dimension Hierarchy Setup page. No complex configuration is required to get started.

How It Works​

  1. Define your hierarchy on the Dimension Hierarchies page. Specify each child dimension value and the parent dimension value it should resolve to.
  2. Enable the feature on the Dimension Hierarchy Setup page.
  3. Use Business Central as normal. Every time a dimension value with a configured hierarchy is entered — on a document, journal, master record, or via API — the parent dimensions are populated automatically.

Who Is This For?​

Dimension Hierarchies is designed for organisations that:

  • Use multiple related dimensions to structure their financial and management reporting
  • Want to reduce manual data entry and the errors that come with it
  • Need consistent dimension tagging across a high volume of transactions
  • Require hierarchical dimension structures such as Cost Centre → Department → Division
  • Operate with integrations or automations that create transactions without user interaction

Permissions​

The extension includes the DH_ADMIN permission set, which grants full access to configure and manage dimension hierarchies, table exceptions, and setup.

Getting Started​

Are you ready to set up your first dimension hierarchy? For plan details, see Pricing. If you have questions or need support, please contact us.