Unlock Advanced Filtering and Inquiry Features in Dynamics 365 Finance and Operations

You can find important information with Advanced Filtering in Dynamics 365 Finance and Operations. This tool helps you look for what you need in big groups of data. Many people feel nervous about using these features, but you can learn them with practice. > Try each step as you read. You will notice that data analysis gets easier with the right method.

Key Takeaways

• The filter pane helps you find records fast in Dynamics 365. It stops you from scrolling through long lists. This saves you time.

• You can use more than one filter to make your search better. This helps you look at data closely. It lets you see the most important information.

• You can save your favorite filter views for later. This makes your work easier. It helps keep your data neat.

• Use keyboard shortcuts to do tasks faster. Shortcuts help you move around the system quickly. They make you work better.

• Look at inquiry pages and drill-down options for more details. These tools help you learn more about your data. They help you make smart choices for your business.

Advanced Filtering Basics

Accessing the Filter Pane

You can start using Advanced Filtering in Dynamics 365 Finance and Operations by opening the filter pane. The filter pane slides in from the left side of your screen. You will see it on most list pages and inquiry screens. This pane helps you focus on the data you need. You do not have to scroll through long lists. You can add filter criteria to narrow down your results.

Tip: If you want to find specific records, open the filter pane and enter your search terms. You will see results update instantly.

Advanced Filtering lets you apply several filters at once. You can search for records by name, date, or status. You can also combine filters to get even more precise results. This process saves you time and helps you work faster.

• You can quickly find relevant data and narrow down records.

• You can streamline data retrieval and avoid manual scrolling.

• You can apply multiple filters to refine your views and analyze data efficiently.

Filter Pane Layout

The filter pane has several important parts. Each part helps you control what you see on your screen. Here is a table that shows the main components and what they do:

You can use the filter pane for quick searches. If you need more options, you can open the advanced filter dialog. This dialog lets you filter on different columns, join data from other sources, and sort your results. You can build complex queries without needing technical skills.

Note: The filter pane and advanced filter dialog work together. You can start with simple filters and move to advanced options when you need more control.

Advanced Filtering gives you the power to manage large sets of data. You can find what you need in seconds. You can also save your favorite filters for future use.

Creating Advanced Filters

Filter Criteria and Operators

You can make strong searches in Dynamics 365 Finance and Operations by using different filter criteria and operators. These tools help you find what you want from big groups of data. When you use Advanced Filtering, you can put together many conditions to make your search smaller.

Some of the most common operators are:

• Not Equal To (<>, !=, or NE)

• Equal To (= or EQ)

• OR (logical operator)

• Greater Than or Equal To (>= or GE)

You can use these operators to make filters like:

1. CustomerAccount ne "" — Finds records where the customer account is not empty.

2. CustomerAccount eq 'AB2221' — Shows only the customer account with this exact value.

3. ((ProjectCode eq '001') or (ProjectCode eq '002') or (ProjectCode eq '003')) — Displays records with any of these project codes.

4. EndDate ge 2024-01-01T00:00:00Z — Finds records with an end date on or after January 1, 2024.

When you use more than one condition, you can look at special groups of data and make your study better. The table below shows some good things about using more than one filter:

Tip: Try using different operators together to see how your results change. This will help you learn how Advanced Filtering works.

Using Wildcards and Ranges

Wildcards and ranges give you more ways to search for data. Wildcards help you find records that match part of a word or number. For example, if you want to find all account numbers with "AA", you can use a wildcard like this:
AccountNum LIKE "*AA*"

Ranges help you look for data between two values. You can use them to find records between two dates or numbers. This way works like SQL statements. The 'LIKE' keyword lets you use wildcards and makes your searches better and faster.

• Wildcards help you find part of a match.

• Ranges let you use more than one rule for better results.

• The 'LIKE' keyword helps you get data by using wildcards.

You can also use dynamic filters and date ranges to get the newest information. For example, the dateRange(startDate, endDate) method lets you look for data in a certain time. This is important for making good reports and helping your business.

Note: The SysQueryRangeUtil class has different range methods for careful filtering. Try using date ranges to see how your reports get better.

Saving Filter Views

After you make a filter that works well, you can save it for later. This step saves you time and keeps your work neat. Follow these steps to save and use your filter views again:

1. In the top left, find the view drop down. After you finish your filter, click the drop down and pick Save as.

2. Type a name for your view and click Save.

3. To share your saved view, go to System administration > Setup > Personalization.

4. Click the Personal views tab.

5. Find your view and select it.

6. Click Publish in the menu.

7. Type a name for the view in the pop-up window.

8. Turn on Publish as default view to Yes if you want everyone to use it first.

9. Click Add in the Publish to people in these roles section and type the security role.

10. Click publish.

Now you can use your saved filter views whenever you want. Sharing views with your team helps everyone work together.

Tip: Save your favorite filters as views. This makes your daily work faster and easier.

Advanced Filtering gives you ways to make, save, and share hard searches. You can look at your data with trust and care.

Inquiry Features

Inquiry Pages

Inquiry pages help you look at data fast. You can check details about accounts, budgets, and transactions. Each page shows a different part of your business. You do not need to search many screens to find what you want.

You can use these pages to answer questions about money or work. Each page helps you focus on important data.

Drill-Down Options

Drill-down options let you look deeper into data. You start with a summary and then see more details. This helps you know what is happening in your business.

• You can see transaction details behind balances.

• You can move through levels of data using set hierarchies.

• The Accounting source explorer (ASE) shows subledger transactions, vendor or customer info, and project details.

• Financial statements use two hierarchies for drilling and expanding data, which makes analysis easier.

Drill-down features help you find answers quickly. You do not need to leave the page or open new windows. This saves time and helps you make better choices.

Data Visualization

Data visualization tools help you see data in new ways. You can use charts, dashboards, and reports to find trends and patterns.

These tools make data easy to understand. Visual reports help you share information with your team and support smart choices.

Best Practices

Shortcuts and Quick Actions

You can speed up your work in Dynamics 365 Finance and Operations by using keyboard shortcuts. These shortcuts help you move through screens, open filters, and create records quickly. Here are some of the most useful shortcuts:

1. Alt + N: Create a new record.

2. Ctrl + G: Open the filter window for the field where your cursor is.

3. Alt + Q: Search for buttons in the menu.

4. F2: Switch between Edit mode and View mode.

5. Esc: Close the current form and return to the homepage.

6. Ctrl + F2: Open a menu with related information.

7. Ctrl + F3: Open the filter menu on the right side of the form.

Tip: Try using these shortcuts every day. You will notice that your work becomes faster and easier.

Managing Saved Views

You can organize your saved filter views to match your needs. You can create different named sets of personalizations for each page. This lets you switch between views for different tasks. You can pin your favorite views to the home screen as tiles. This gives you quick access and saves time. Administrators can assign views to users and keep them from changing these views. This helps everyone in your team use the same filters.

• Create multiple named views for each page.

• Pin important views to your home screen for quick access.

• Let administrators assign views to users for consistency.

Note: Well-organized views help you and your team work together and avoid confusion.

You can share your saved views with others. Export your personalized view as an XML file. Send the file to your teammate. They can import it and use the same filters. This makes teamwork easier and keeps everyone on the same page.

Common Pitfalls

You may run into problems if you do not organize your views or use too many filters. Here are some tips to avoid mistakes:

Tip: Review your saved views often. Keep only the ones you use. Give each view a name that helps you remember its purpose.

You can make your work easier by following these best practices. Use shortcuts, organize your views, and avoid common mistakes. This will help you get the most out of Dynamics 365 Finance and Operations.

Real-World Scenarios

Financial Data Filtering

You can use advanced filtering to look at financial data in Dynamics 365 Finance and Operations. If you want to check ledger transactions, open the Accounting Source Explorer from the trial balance or General Ledger menu. This tool helps you see only the transactions you want. You can make filters for dates, accounts, or transaction types. This helps you work faster and stay focused.

Advanced filtering lets you make searches that fit your needs. You can save these searches as views and use them again later. You can also export your results to make charts or reports. This helps you understand your financial data and make smart choices.

Inventory Analysis

You can manage inventory better with advanced filtering. If you want to check material availability or see inventory history, use filters to show only the items you need. The system helps you handle lots of inventory data and keeps your supply chain working well.

You can use these features to find patterns, spot shortages, and plan for future needs. Advanced filtering helps you focus on the most important inventory details.

Customer Order Tracking

You can track customer orders with advanced filtering. You can filter sales orders by customer group or search for invoices linked to certain projects. You can also find budget overruns before the month ends by using special search rules.

• Filter sales orders by customer group.

• Search for customer invoices using project details.

• Find budget overruns before month-end close.

Advanced filtering gives you control over your order data. You can find answers fast and keep your customers happy.

You can use these examples every day. Advanced filtering and inquiry features help you solve real business problems and work with confidence.

---

Learning advanced filtering and inquiry in Dynamics 365 Finance and Operations changes how you use data. You get faster and feel more sure by trying search queries and saving filtered views.

• You find data and make reports better.

• You make fewer mistakes and work faster.

Check out resources like video tutorials on filtering for blank values, guides about query options, and articles that show how to save queries. These guides help you learn more. If you practice often, hard tasks become easy steps and you make smarter choices every day.

FAQ

How do you reset filters if you make a mistake?

You can click the Clear button in the filter pane. This action removes all filters and shows the full list again. You can start a new search without any old criteria.

Can you use advanced filters on any page?

Most list pages and inquiry screens support advanced filtering. If you see the filter pane or advanced filter option, you can use these features. Some specialized pages may have limited options.

What is the best way to share a saved view with your team?

You can publish your saved view to specific security roles. Go to System administration > Setup > Personalization, select your view, and use the Publish option. This step helps your team use the same filters.

Can you filter by dates that change automatically?

Yes! Use dynamic date ranges like dateRange(today(), today()+7) to always show current or upcoming data. This method keeps your reports up to date without manual changes.

Why should you save filter views?

Saving filter views saves time. You can quickly switch between different searches. This habit helps you stay organized and work faster every day.