Dynamic Attributes

Welcome to the Dynamic Attributes module! This powerful feature allows you to add calculated fields and custom attributes to any table in 3PL Dynamics without modifying the underlying database structure. Think of it as a flexible way to extend your data views with real-time calculations, custom formulas, and additional information that's specific to your business needs.

🎯 What Are Dynamic Attributes?

Dynamic Attributes are calculated fields that appear on your pages but don't permanently store data in the database. They calculate values on-demand using:

Existing field values from the same record
Data from related tables
Custom business logic through function sets
FlowField calculations with custom filters

Perfect for: KPIs, calculated totals, status indicators, formatted displays, and business-specific metrics that change based on current data.

✨ Key Benefits

🚀 No Database Changes Required

Add new calculated fields without touching your database structure or requiring technical development.

⚡ Real-Time Calculations

Values are calculated when you view the data, ensuring you always see the most current information.

🎨 Flexible Display Options

Control formatting, styling, and even conditional coloring based on calculated values.

📊 Performance Optimized

Built-in caching and performance monitoring help keep your calculations running smoothly.

🔧 Easy Configuration

Set up new dynamic attributes through user-friendly pages without coding knowledge.

🛠️ How It Works

1. Create a Dynamic Attribute

Define what you want to calculate and how it should be displayed.

2. Choose Your Data Source

Field-based: Pull values from existing fields in your table
Function-based: Use custom business logic through function sets
FlowField: Calculate aggregated values from related tables

3. Configure Display

Set up formatting, decimal places, styling, and where the attribute appears on your pages.

4. Apply to Layouts

Add your dynamic attributes to page layouts so users can see them in action.

📋 Supported Value Types

Type	Description	Example Use Cases
Text	String values, codes, formatted text	Status descriptions, formatted codes, concatenated values
Decimal	Numeric values with decimal places	Calculations, totals, percentages, ratios
Date	Date values	Calculated due dates, aging calculations
Time	Time values	Duration calculations, time stamps
DateTime	Combined date and time	Full timestamp calculations
Boolean	True/false values	Status flags, condition checks

🎨 Advanced Features

Categories & Organization

Group related dynamic attributes together using categories for better organization and easier management.

Performance Monitoring

Built-in performance tracking helps you identify slow calculations and optimize your attributes:

Track calculation count and duration
Set thresholds for slow calculation alerts
Monitor memory and database performance

Flexible Caching

Two levels of caching improve performance:

Buffer Cache: Per-user session memory cache
Entry Cache: Global database cache for shared calculations

Custom Styling

Make your data visually appealing with conditional formatting:

Apply different colors based on values
Use style function sets for complex styling logic
Highlight important information automatically

FlowField Integration

Leverage Business Central's powerful FlowField capabilities:

Calculate sums, counts, averages from related tables
Apply custom filters for specific calculations
Show the same FlowField multiple times with different filters

📚 Common Use Cases

Warehouse Management

Calculate available space percentages
Show aging days for inventory
Display pick efficiency metrics
Track location utilization rates

Transportation

Calculate route efficiency scores
Show delivery time estimates
Display load utilization percentages
Track driver performance metrics

Financial

Calculate payment terms remaining
Show aging categories for invoices
Display profit margins
Track collection effectiveness

Customer Service

Calculate response time metrics
Show customer satisfaction scores
Display case resolution rates
Track SLA compliance

🚦 Getting Started

Step 1: Access Dynamic Attributes

Navigate to the Dynamic Attributes page through the Search function (Alt+Q) and search for "Dynamic Attributes".

Step 2: Create Your First Attribute

Click New to create a new dynamic attribute
Select the Table you want to extend
Enter a unique Code and Description
Choose the Value Type (Text, Decimal, Date, etc.)

Step 3: Configure Calculation

Choose how your attribute gets its value:

Field No.: Select an existing field to display
Function Set: Use custom business logic
FlowField: Calculate from related data

Step 4: Set Up Display

Configure how your attribute appears:

Set decimal places for numeric values
Choose formatting options
Configure styling rules

Step 5: Add to Layouts

Use the Dynamic Attribute Layouts to control where your attributes appear on pages.

🔧 Configuration Options

Basic Settings

Code: Unique identifier for your attribute
Description: User-friendly name shown in the interface
Value Type: Data type of the calculated value
Category: Optional grouping for organization

Calculation Settings

Field No.: Link to an existing field in the table
Function Set IDs: Custom calculation logic
FlowFilter Values: Filters for FlowField calculations
Calculate Field: Automatic FlowField calculation toggle

Performance Settings

Buffer Recalculation Interval: How often to refresh session cache
Entry Recalculation Interval: How often to refresh database cache
Track Performance Statistics: Monitor calculation performance
Slow Calculation Threshold: Define what constitutes a slow calculation

Display Settings

Decimals: Number format for decimal values
Standard Format: Predefined formatting options
Blocked: Hide the attribute from users
Translation Set: Multi-language support

💡 Best Practices

Performance Tips

Use Caching Wisely: Set appropriate recalculation intervals for your business needs
Monitor Performance: Enable performance tracking for complex calculations
Optimize Function Sets: Keep custom logic as efficient as possible
Test with Real Data: Validate performance with realistic data volumes

Design Guidelines

Clear Naming: Use descriptive codes and names for easy identification
Logical Grouping: Use categories to organize related attributes
Consistent Formatting: Apply similar formatting rules across related attributes
User-Friendly Displays: Consider how end users will interpret the calculated values

Maintenance Tips

Regular Reviews: Periodically review and clean up unused attributes
Performance Monitoring: Keep an eye on slow calculations and optimize as needed
Documentation: Maintain clear descriptions of what each attribute calculates
Testing: Validate calculations after system updates or changes

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