How to Bulk Upload attachements using AL in Business Central

Problem Statement:

Few months ago I wrote a blog on Generic way of attaching documents. As a feedback to this, questions started coming if there is any chance for bulk uploading attachments like Import multiple Item Pictures.

Lets start.

Pre-requisites:

• Understanding of AL.
• Microsoft Dynamics Business Central Tenant.
• Understanding of how compression works in BC.

Demonstration:

1. Understanding the Base App Code:
In the picture below I have illustrated the important parts needed to understand the Base App Code.
In short Upload Zip as Stream > Decompress to Lists > Attach the element of the List.

LoadZIP - Item Picture - Code Understanding

2. Writing the Code for the Functionality:
To be specific, I have written a code whihc will bulk upload Attachments for Variants of Items.
I will be seperating delimiting and recognizing Items and Variants using the format as follows 'VariantNo.[Count per variant]%ItemNo.%[*].[ext]'

Load ZIP - Custom - Writing the code

To split and decode the Variant and Item No. I have created the functions below.

Load ZIP - Split and Decode

3. Output:
Compressing the Files into a ZIP

Attachment Files Compressed into a single ZIP File

Checking attachments prior to uploading ZIP

Importing the ZIP

Importing ZIP file with multiple files inside it

Finally checking if the files have been attached correctly

Verifying files attached correctly after uploading the ZIP File

Conclusion:

Based upon requests it was pretty clear that this was one of the features expected by the end users.
I hope this blog covers the aspect of uploading ZIP and then bifurcating and attaching the individual files as an attachment.

Please feel free to ask questions and I hope this helps!

Cheers!!🍻