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Physical item counting period

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Posted on by CU05060412-0

Question 1

The user can update item cycle counting period by using following steps(this is supported only one item at a time).

Actions > Functions > Update Counting Periods

But, user wants to update multiple items at the same time, Is there a way to do?

Question 2

Once after click on calculate counting period button in phy.inv.jour , some items missing in the result item list.

I saw the next count start and end dates are missing, but counting period type already selected and if we manually change the type dates auto filled.

How is this happening?

Thanks

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Dynamics 365 Business Central

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Mansi Soni 8,907 Super User 2025 Season 2 on at

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Hello,

Answer 1:
In standard Business Central, the Update Counting Periods action only supports one item at a time. To update multiple items in bulk, you’d need to run the Calculate Counting Period function from the Item List by selecting the multiple items.

Answer 2:

This usually happens when the counting period was never initialized for those items although the Counting Period Type is selected, dates are only populated when the Update Counting Periods function is run at least once for that item. Manually changing the type forces BC to recalculate and fill the dates.

Hope this answer will help you!

Regards,
Mansi Soni

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DAnny3211 11,397 on at

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Hello,

Thank you for your questions regarding cycle counting periods in Dynamics 365 Business Central.

Question 1: Updating Counting Periods for Multiple Items

You are correct that the standard "Update Counting Periods" function is designed to work on a single item at a time via the Item Card. Unfortunately, there is no out-of-the-box batch function for updating counting periods across multiple items.

Suggested Workarounds:

Use Configuration Packages or Excel Export/Import: Export the relevant item fields (e.g., counting period type, next count start/end dates), update them in Excel, and re-import using a configuration package.

Custom AL Extension: Consider developing a small extension or report that loops through selected items and applies the update logic programmatically.

Power Automate or API: If you have integration capabilities, you could automate the update using the Business Central API and Power Automate.

Question 2: Missing Items After Calculating Counting Periods

If some items are missing from the Physical Inventory Journal after clicking "Calculate Counting Period", and the Next Count Start/End Dates are blank, it may be due to one of the following:

Possible Causes:

The Counting Period Type is selected, but the Next Count Dates were never initialized (e.g., the item was never previously counted).

The system requires a manual trigger (such as changing the period type) to recalculate and populate the dates.

There may be filter criteria in the journal calculation that exclude items with missing or invalid date ranges.

Recommendations:

Try running the "Update Counting Periods" function manually for one of the affected items to initialize the dates.

Review the Item Tracking Code and Warehouse setup to ensure the item is eligible for cycle counting.

Consider creating a report or query to identify items with missing count dates and update them accordingly.

Please verify if this response was helpful.
Best regards.

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Sohail Ahmed 11,136 Super User 2025 Season 2 on at

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Answer 1:

There’s no standard bulk update option for counting periods across multiple items in the UI. To update multiple at once, use the “Update Counting Periods” action via the Item List page, or automate it via configuration package or custom code (e.g. a report or job queue).

Answer 2:

If Next Count Start/End Dates are missing after “Calculate Counting Period,” it usually means the item’s last counted date is blank or counting period setup is incomplete. Manually selecting a Counting Period Type triggers the calculation because it uses that as a base to determine the next due date.

✅ Mark this as the verified answer if helpful.

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RockwithNav 8,600 Super User 2025 Season 2 on at

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Interesting catch though but unfortunately we don't have in standard.

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YUN ZHU 95,331 Super User 2025 Season 2 on at

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As other experts have mentioned, this requires some simple customization to achieve.
Alternatively, you could submit this idea to Microsoft.

Missing a feature? Post or vote for ideas on: aka.ms/BCIdeas

Thanks

ZHU

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