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TIP: Working with changing Field DataTypes and Deleting fields in Business Central

Introduction:
Imagine a scenario where as per the requirements provided by your clients, you have set up the Database structure in NAV/Business Central.
Then comes a requirement in Phase 2 which completely redefines the database structure which was provided by you and you need to delete a few fields in a table and move it to another table.

Pre-requisites:
Microsoft Dynamics NAV
Microsoft Dynamics Business Central

Books & References:
https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/dynamics365/business-central/dev-itpro/developer/properties/devenv-obsoletestate-property

Solution:
1. In Microsoft Dynamics NAV, there was a flexibility to delete fields, tables, and keys and using  Force-Sync, you can directly delete the field, table, and keys from SQL Database.


2. Whereas in Microsoft Dynamics Business Central, you cannot delete the fields, keys, and tables.
In order to deploy this deleted change, you need to mention this field, table, and keys with Obsolete State Removed.


After you mention the field as Obsolete, in the page directly the field is


3. While deploying these changes in Business Central On-Premise, you can directly deploy the changes using Force-Sync through schemaUpdateMode property in AL.


Conclusion:
In order to delete a field the process has become relatively tedious in Business Central as compared to NAV. This is because from Business Central server point of view, the field is never actually deleted from the SQL Database it just gets disabled. Microsoft has made it easier for Business Central community by adding Force-Sync, other wise the developers will have to change the Application ID which in turn results in erasing of the data for the extension.
Hope you guys find this useful. 😇

Comments

  1. I was wondering how to do this on a production environment in the cloud where ForceSync isn't possible.

    ReplyDelete
  2. I think Force-Sync works in Production as well.
    You just need to upload the Extension App as you would and Business Central takes care of it.

    In Order to change the data in the Table after changing the fields, you will need to write a code refer https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/dynamics365/business-central/dev-itpro/developer/devenv-extension-install-code

    ReplyDelete
  3. If Force-Sync does not work, a workaround would be creating a new field and marking the field to be changed as obsolete. And using OnInstallAppPerCompany() trigger you can migrate data from the old field to new field.

    ReplyDelete
  4. My rather long internet look up has at the end of the day been compensated with pleasant insight to talksetup a company in dubai

    ReplyDelete

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