Dynamics AX 2012 Financial Dimensions

Earlier versions AX 2009, 4.0 :

• In older version System use to limit the creation of dimensions up to 10. 
• By default 3 dimensions were available in the system namely Department, CostCenter and Purpose.
  Technically these dimensions were controlled by Enum SysDimension and an array EDT Dimension.
• So If we have 3 enum elements in SysDimension, then its corresponding array elements are stored in    dimension EDT and can be referred as Dimension[0], Dimension[1].....
• If you would like to store these dimension values against customized table, then simply we were adding the EDT Dimension to that Table. At Form level simply drag and drop field on Group then system use to  show all the array elements as string control.

New version AX 2012 (6.0) :

• In AX 60, their is no limit to dimension creations. One can create n number of dimensions as per    organization requirements.
• Technically their is huge change in framework, the way these dimensions used to be created and stored.
• Firstly EDT Dimension (array) is deprecated and replaced with DimensionDefault (Int64 RecId).    
• Financial Dimensions master table Dimension is replaced with DimensionAttribute and DimensionValueDetails.
• Now if one wish to store these dimension on your customized table then instead of EDT Dimension one should add DimensionDefault EDT.       
• At Form level make use of DimensionDefaultingController class to show the available dimensions.

Introduction : 

"Dimensions are sub accounts to the GL chart of accounts.  They allow an account to broken down in to a decision on detail for reporting and analysis".

• Account balance can be analysed by dimension . 
• Without dimension, multiple accounts would need to be created for each combination of account , cost center, department and purpose.
• Dimensions are used for profit and Loss a/cs, not for balance sheet  a/cs.
• Dimensions are independent of each other. All are not mandatory.. 
•  An a/c can utilize every dimension or not at all.
• Reduce the size of reports and inquiries 

For Ex In AX 2009 we have 3 Standard dimension . 

The account number should be used to represent  the main reporting unit. The dimensions are a break-down of that unit.

• Cost Centre can be used to represent a location, branch or segment of the company.
• Department can represent internal or external departments.
• Purpose can represent the purpose of the sale, the inventory category or business segment

EX : 

If no dimensions, we would need to create 16 GL a/cs. 

Validation Rules : 

• Creating Validation rules in GL chart of a/cs will ensure that the correct dimensions are posted to each a/c.
• Validation rules can be set up in chart of accounts to indicate if dimension is mandatory or not
• Validation rules can also be used to only certain dimensions to be init for particular a/cs
• Can be used to create the folk values.  EX : Department – Sales / HR ,Admin. 
• Validation options for each dimension are ( Optional – may be init but not needed to be validated , To be filled in , Table, List , Fixed ( Diff b/w fixed and Table -  it will not throw any error instead AX will take the fixed dimension and then post the transaction ) and Default)

Default Dimensions :

• Default dimensions can be set up for customers, vendors, items, work centers, and several other AX data files
• Default dimensions , Expedite data entry and  ensure that correct dimensions are used

               EX : Ex : Inventory > Items > Dimension Tab

Note : 

 When setting up dimensions, it is important to think of how information is going to be viewed by those individuals who are responsible for the financial viability of the company.

What requirements exists for financial reporting?

How to do Setup For dimension 

In basic module we do setup for dimension. 

Group Dimension field - Consolidated financial statements. We have 3 companies , when we consolidate company we need less detail than what exists in each company. Group field can be used instead of Dimension.

For example ,  companies have dimensions broken down in to detail HR, accounting, payroll. When consolidation is performed , all of this are rolled up in to one – Administration. We would enter Admin in the Group dimension  field for all dimensions in Consolidated company.