Troubleshooting dimensions in Expense Management
If dimensions on your expense documents aren't behaving the way you expect, for example, not applying automatically, changing when you didn't expect them to, or refusing to be edited, then use this guide to understand the most common causes and how to resolve them.
For information on how default dimensions are applied and inherited, see Understanding dimension handling in Expense Management.
Default dimensions aren't being applied automatically
If default dimensions don't appear when you expect them to, try the following approaches:
- Check the master record setup: Verify that default dimensions are configured on the vendor, project, or G/L account that should be contributing the dimensions.
- Verify the posting account: For per diem details, make sure the correct posting account is identified for the allowance type via the Per Diem Posting Groups setup.
- Check dimension priority: Review whether a higher-priority source is providing a value that supersedes the one you're expecting. For the priority order by document type, see Understanding priority and inheritance of dimensions in Expense Management.
- Trigger a recalculation: Modify and revert a field that acts as a trigger for the source you're expecting. For example, re-select the vendor or the project to prompt Expense Management to re-apply the default dimensions.
Dimensions appear to change or disappear
If dimension values seem to change unexpectedly after you've saved a document, try the following approaches:
- Check whether a parent value changed: Changing dimensions on a per diem header updates the child details and the destinations that inherit from it. This is intentional inheritance behavior, not data loss.
- Review your overrides: If a dimension value that you customized is being replaced, check that the override wasn't cleared inadvertently. Custom values only persist for as long as they're present on the dimensions page for that level.
- Verify parent dimensions: If a detail-level or destination-level dimension changes, check whether the corresponding header or detail value changed first. This is because inheritance flows downwards; therefore the source of an unexpected change is usually at a broader level.
I can't edit the dimensions of a document
If the dimensions page opens as read-only when you expect to edit it, try the following approaches:
- Check the document status: Dimensions on posted documents are read-only by design. To make changes, you must reopen the document (if possible) for the document type, or correct the entry via a Business Central posting correction.
- Verify permissions: Confirm with your administrator that you have permission to modify dimensions in Expense Management and in Business Central.
- Check the field's editability at the current approval stage: Some fields become locked, based on approval status, even before posting. Review the document's approval state to identify whether editing is blocked at the current stage.
The Alt+D shortcut doesn't open the dimensions page
If pressing Alt+D doesn't open the dimensions page, try the following approaches:
- Check that you are using the shortcut from the main body of the page This is because the shortcut activates on the document page itself, not inside a FactBox or subpage. Click on the main part of the document card first, then use the shortcut.
- Verify the document type: The shortcut works on document pages such as the Expense, Per diem, or Mileage cards. However, it does not work on list pages that display multiple documents at the same time.
- Use the menu as a fallback: On the document page, click Actions > Dimensions. This opens the same dimensions page as the shortcut.
Related information
Understanding dimension handling in Expense Management
Understanding priority and inheritance of dimensions in Expense Management
Setting up payment types
Setting up per diem groups