We’ve all been there. You’re staring at a Purchase Invoice or a Sales Order, and you need to add a 5% surcharge or split a quantity in half. What’s the first thing you do? You reach for your desk calculator or open the app on your phone.
Stop right there. One of the coolest (and most overlooked) features in Dynamics 365 Business Central is that your data entry fields are actually “smart.” They aren’t just boxes for numbers; they are mini-calculators waiting to do the math for you.
What is the “In-Field” Calculator? In any Decimal field like Quantity, Unit Price, or Amount—Business Central allows you to type a mathematical formula directly into the box. Once you hit ‘Tab’ or click away, the system performs the calculation and leaves the result behind.
How to Use It (The “Pro” Way) It’s as simple as typing a basic math problem. You can use:
- + (Addition)
- – (Subtraction)
- * (Multiplication)
- / (Division)
- () (Parentheses for complex math)
The “I didn’t know it could do that” Examples
Example 1: Imagine you have a line item for 12 units, but you need to add a 50% buffer for potential breakage.
Instead of doing the math in your head, just type: 12 * 1.50
Press Tab, and boom the field instantly updates to 18.
Example 2: Sometimes pricing adjustments aren’t just a straight percentage.
Imagine you’re entering a Direct Unit Cost of 10,000, but the vendor applies:
- a 4% price increase, and
- a fixed adjustment of 120 (for rounding, correction, or negotiated terms).
Instead of calculating this elsewhere, you can let Business Central handle it.
In the Direct Unit Cost field, simply type: (10000*1.04)+120
Press Tab or anywhere, and boom—the field instantly updates to 10,520.
The “Rules of the Road” (Official Facts) To keep your data clean and accurate, keep these three rules from the official Microsoft documentation in mind:
- Decimal Fields Only: This works in fields that hold numbers with decimals. It won’t work in a “No.” field or a “Description” field.
- No Symbols: Don’t use currency symbols (like $ or £). Just use the numbers and the operators.
- The Result Stays, the Formula Goes: Once you move out of the field, BC saves the result. It doesn’t save the formula you typed, so make sure you’re happy with the math before you move on!
Why This is a Game Changer
- Speed: You never have to take your hands off the keyboard.
- Accuracy: It reduces “transcription errors” (the mistake of looking at a calculator and typing the wrong number into the PC).
- Professionalism: It’s a tiny trick that makes you look like a BC Wizard in front of your colleagues or clients.
Next time you’re processing an invoice, give it a try. It’s a small habit that leads to a much faster workflow.
