Dynamics NAV Number Series

In Dynamics NAV, basically any transaction or master card can be assigned to a number series in order to govern how serial numbers/ codes are being automatically issued. Through No. Series, relations can be defined as well in order to assign multiple codes to a specific entity such as item card/ item journal, journal entry …etc. Althgouh, it must be conceeded that the GL accounts is an exception, since it can not be assigned to a number series as derived from the fact that COA accounts are governed by a specific coding criteria that can not be logically assigned to a set of serial numbers.

In order to understand how No. Series are managed by Dynamics NAV, we will consider the example of item cards, which is theortically illstrated below:

Suppose that a manufacruting company is considering the following criteria to code their inventory which in turn consists of raw materials, semi finished goods and finished goods:

• RM – Raw Materials
• SM – Semi Finished Goods
• FG – Finished Goods

Item code is designed to include a prefix of two letters (RM, SM or FG) then a separator (-) then a serial number of 5 digits (00000).

The criteria above requires three No. Series to be created in Dynamics NAV along with relations in order to have them all bundled in one pack, and assigned to the item table. In order to create a new No. series, go to Departments > Administration > Application Setup > General > No. Series

Each of the number series above has one line, addressing the starting number and the starting date of the associated Line code. It is important to mentioned that it is possible to include multiple lines per a No. Series, although, it is not required in this case that we are presenting.

Until this moment, the three number series are not linked together as one bundle, in order to do so, we will highlight one of them, and click on “Relations“. Then, choose the other two number series as related entities.

So far, these three number series are packed under one bundle and can now be assigned to the item table in order to populate the codes when entering new items into the system. In this case, we will have to go to Departments > Administration > Application Setup > Warehosuse > Inventory > Inventory Setup

Under Number Tabl, we will choose the IV-RM number series, which already has relations with the other number series as shown below:

Now as you open a new item, the item No field has a button next to it, which opens the associated number series for the item card, click on it to choose the required serial number; either raw material, semi or finished goods.

Eventually, it is important to shed a light that a number series has a variety of options that can be quite useful in order to govern how codes are populated into transactions/ master cards, these options include; ending number for a specific No. series, warning when a specific number is reached, starting and ending date, allow manual entries …etc.

Best Regards,
Mahmood AlSaadi