Sunday, April 18, 2021

Multi-String or multi-field search using the same search/filter box (dynamic real language search) in D365 FO

In real life the searching based on multiple variables is a common requirement across all customers. For example a common requirements would be to search for works orders belonging to "Vendor A" dated 4th January 2021 using the common form filter such as this one below:


Google search for that matter allows you to add a symbol "+" and search with different strings. This is also very common across public facing applications such as LinkedIn, Facebook etc., As the D365 FO has transformed cloud based and web based solution (from the traditional Rich client/ local server based version), business wise too the several companies started adopting D365 FO as a single solution for frontend and backend operations overlayered by business specific apps for specific business needs.

Many of you are already aware that such a multi-field search (forget about the real-life dynamic searches such as the one offered by Google search) are not offered in all the forms of D365 Finance & Operations.

Wait a minute? Not all forms? which means this multi-field search exists for at least some forms? such as?

These questions would come into your mind with the above statement. We have some raw form of multi-field search using the same search /filter box in some of the forms in the D365 FO. Take for example the Main accounts form. The filter option available in the main accounts could search both the Main account and Name simultaneously.

Inorder for the framework capabilities to be enhanced and as D365 FO is transforming into a true ERP serving to every single business need (instead of the so called Back-Office solution or large scale book-keeping system or white elephant in the room), this multi-string or multi-field search using the same search filter option is vital. 

We have the new and improved grid / form functionalities released sometime in 1st half of 2020, however they are still not stable. Let us hope and wish Microsoft brings the multi-field search or dynamic real language search into D365 FO.