Analysis Mode is an interactive tool in Dynamics 365 Business Central that allows users to create detailed pivot tables directly from the same page where they want to analyze data.

As a Business Central Solutions Specialist, I have helped many clients incorporate this useful tool into their reporting process to help them examine and summarize their data without running a report separately. This tool is especially useful for accountants, managers, and users looking to analyze different modules in Business Central.

Table of Contents

• How to Use Analysis Mode
• Navigating Analysis Mode
• Excel-like Reporting
• Copilot Analysis Assist
• Tips & Tricks
• Common Challenges

How You Can Use Analysis Mode in Dynamics 365 Business Central

Analysis Mode appears on almost all pages in Business Central, with a few exceptions, such as the Chart of Accounts, Dimension Value, and similar pages, due to indexation issues.

During training sessions with clients, I often demonstrate how Analysis Mode can be integrated into their day-to-day business processes. In this blog, I will show you how to use this tool to build detailed reports, making it easier to analyze data.

To navigate to Analysis Mode, click on the Analysis Mode icon. This icon will be visible on different pages with Analysis Mode capabilities.

Open the Analysis Mode view to create detailed pivot reports. By default, it shows the same column layout as whichever page you are accessing it from. In this example, I will demonstrate the Analysis Mode functionality on the General Ledger Entries page.

Navigating Analysis Mode

Tabs

On the top menu bar, there is a default tab called “Analysis 1”. Similar to internet browsers, you can create new tabs to analyze different information by clicking the “+” sign next to the original tab.

Columns

On the right side of the screen, you can see a list of columns that can be added to the layout. Click the checkbox next to the column name to add it, or use the search bar to find specific columns.

Row Groups

This feature allows you to group information based on different column values. For example, dragging and dropping the “Document Type” column within the Row Groups section will filter all posted entries based on different document types.

In the screenshot above, we can see that I have 852 payment entries, 1326 general entries, and 1343 posted invoices in total.

If we click on the drop-down next to Payment (852), it will show the list of all posted payments. Now, if I drag and drop “Posting Date Month” in the Row Groups section below the Document type, then the posted payment, invoice, and general entries will be further filtered based on different months.

Values

This section allows showing the sum of all amount columns. For example, dragging and dropping both debit and credit columns under the Values section will automatically sum the columns.

In the example below, we can see that my payment entries for October total $110,796.09.

Analysis Filter

The Analysis Filter option allows us to filter any column in this report. For example, in the screenshot below, I can filter my Dimension Column (Department Code) and select whether I want to see only my entries for a particular dimension value.

Pivot Mode

Pivot Mode is a powerful feature for advanced reporting, similar to using Excel’s Pivot Table. When you enable Pivot Mode, the layout of your view changes to include both Row and Column Groups, allowing you to build your layout accordingly. It’s best practice to toggle on Pivot Mode before building your report, as it will reset and change the entire layout of your table.

Pivot Mode is most useful when you need to use both Row and Column Groups instead of just Row Groups. By toggling the “Pivot Mode” option at the top, you add a third label called “Column Label” below Values.

For example, if you drag and drop “Posting Date Month” within this label, it will display the months in column format, while Document Type values are shown in row format.

Excel-like Reporting with Analysis Mode

Analysis Mode in Dynamics 365 Business Central offers Excel-like functionality, enabling users to create detailed reports directly within Business Central. This means you don’t have to rely solely on the standard default reports from Business Central. With Analysis Mode, you can create your own reports and analysis views.

In Analysis Mode, you can easily create pivot tables. Instead of exporting lists to Excel and manually calculating sums, you can use Analysis Mode to view the same details within Business Central, including the sum of all amounts, the number of rows, as well as maximum and minimum values, among other details.

You can also group and ungroup reports based on similarities.

Reports created in Analysis Mode can be exported to Excel and shared with team members who have access to Business Central, allowing them to open the same report in their environment.

Copilot Analysis Assist

Analysis Mode includes Copilot Analysis Assist, which allows you to use natural language commands to build detailed analysis reports without manual adjustments.

To use this feature, click on the highlighted icon and use the prompt guide to type in your request.

For example, you can prompt Copilot to “filter all payments with amount > 200.”

Once I click generate, Copilot will automatically create a detailed analysis report for me based on my command.

In the screenshot below, we can see that it has created a new tab, “Payments over 200,” and below it, it is asking me if I want to keep this report or discard it (if it does not fit my requirements).

To make further changes in the report, I can edit my command as well.

Click over your command, then edit it.

Tips, Tricks, and Best Practices

Viewing Sum of Amount Columns: To view the sum of any amount column, scroll to the bottom, where the total sum for that column will be displayed.

Summarizing Specific Lines: To view the sum for certain specified posted lines, highlight the desired lines. Along with the total sum, other related information will also be shown.

Renaming, Deleting, and Duplicating Tabs: You can right-click on a tab to rename it, delete it, export it to Excel, or duplicate it and share it with others.

Freezing Column Filters: To freeze a column filter, click on the 3 lines next to the column; you can then filter it and do much more with the view.

Addressing Common Challenges

Column Layout Changes in Pivot Mode

When Pivot mode is activated, the column layout is automatically reset. This may cause users to be confused about why the report’s appearance has changed. All the columns previously specified have been unselected. You will now have to specify which columns you would like to see.

Now, once I check the columns I would like to add, they are all added automatically under the Row Groups label.

In the screenshot below, the “Posting Date Month” is under the column label, and the “Posting Date No.” is under the Row Group label.

Closing Analysis Mode in Business Central

Clicking the back arrow icon will take you straight to the Business Central home page. Next time you search for General Ledger Entries, the Analysis Mode report will open instead of the General Ledger Entries page.

However, if you would like to close this Analysis Mode view, click on the highlighted icon to return to your original General Ledger Entries page in Business Central.

Just as I guide new and existing clients in utilizing the Analysis Mode functionality, I frequently assist them in discovering, understanding, and integrating various tools within Dynamics 365 Business Central into their daily operations to maximize their use of the system.

If you’re interested in learning more about Encore as a Dynamics 365 Business Central Partner and how we can help streamline your business processes, please contact us. We’d love to help.