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Setting Parent Category via the api

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Posted on by BB-21051431-0

Hi,

I'm quite new to Business Central, but I need to be able to set the parent category via the API. I can create the categories, but not assign a parent.

I understand that I need to create a custom API endpoint to do that, which I’ve tried — but it seems to ignore my extension. I’ve played around with a few different AL files, but with no success!

I’ve been reading the Microsoft documentation, and while it seems straightforward to add a new item, I'm not sure how to expose an existing field like the parent category.

Any pointers would be greatly appreciated!

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Dynamics 365 Business Central

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YUN ZHU 95,763 Super User 2025 Season 2 on at

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Hi, You can copy the standard code below and add your new fields.

https://github.com/microsoft/ALAppExtensions/blob/main/Apps/W1/APIV2/app/src/pages/APIV2ItemCategories.Page.al

PS: Dynamics 365 Business Central: Can we extend standard APIs? – Download Standard Source Code for APIs

https://yzhums.com/20960/

Hope this can give you some hints.

Thanks.

ZHU

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Gerardo Rentería Ga... 25,390 Most Valuable Professional on at

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Hi, good day
I hope this can help you, and give you some hints.

Developing a custom API - Business Central | Microsoft Learn

How To Create Custom APIs In Business Central - Business Central Geek

Extending standard APIs (1) – Kauffmann @ Dynamics 365 Business Central

Best Regards
Gerardo

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Khushbu Rajvi. 20,962 Super User 2025 Season 2 on at

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https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/dynamics365/business-central/dev-itpro/api-reference/v2.0/

https://www.kauffmann.nl/2021/03/12/extending-standard-apis-1/

https://www.kauffmann.nl/2021/04/16/extending-standard-apis-2/

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Sohail Ahmed 11,150 Super User 2025 Season 2 on at

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Maybe this will help you move forward.

To set the Parent Category via API in Business Central, you're right — it’s not exposed in the default API, so you’ll need to:

Steps:

1. Extend the standard API page APIV2ItemCategories (Page ID: 5450) in your extension.

2. Add the Parent Category field using addafter() or addlast() in your page extension.

3. Make sure the Parent Category Code field is exposed as a GUID (SystemId) if you're working with the OData V4 endpoint.

4. Publish your extension, and test using POST or PATCH to update the category.

If your changes aren’t working:

Double-check that your API page is marked with EntityName and EntitySetName.

Make sure your modified page is included in the published app and is enabled in the Web Services list.

You can also review Microsoft’s base extension here for reference:

https://github.com/microsoft/ALAppExtensions/blob/main/Apps/W1/APIV2/app/src/pages/APIV2ItemCategories.Page.al

Mark below checkbox to make this answer Verified if it helps you.

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