Information Matrix

The Information Matrix gives you a spreadsheet-style view of your master data records — items, customers, vendors, or other record types — where each row is a record and each column is a specification or a standard data field. Rather than opening individual cards to read or update specifications one record at a time, the matrix lets you view and edit specification data for many records simultaneously in a single, flat, scrollable list. It is especially powerful when you need to compare values across records, fill in missing data for a group of records, or quickly spot inconsistencies in a dataset.

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Feature Overview

The matrix is driven by a reusable Matrix Template that defines which fields and Information Codes appear as columns. Up to 50 configurable columns can be included in a single template, each mapped either to a standard Business Central table field or to a Master Data Information Code — showing its Information Value, Value, or Description. Column captions are taken directly from the field name or Information Code description, so the matrix always reads in business terms rather than technical labels.

Rows are not fixed — you control which records appear in the matrix at any given time. Records are added using Import Lines, which lets you filter by field values to pull in exactly the subset you want to work with. Alternatively, Import from Specifications populates the matrix from existing specification entries, and Import from Specification Search brings in the results of a saved specification search directly. Once rows are in the matrix, you can edit specification values inline on individual rows, or apply changes in bulk across all rows using Add Values to Lines or remove them using Bulk delete values.

The Order Matrix is a variant of the Information Matrix designed specifically for items. In addition to specification columns, it shows live inventory figures — Inventory, Quantity on Purchase Order, Quantity on Sales Order, and a writable Quantity to Order field — making it a combined specification and demand-planning view for buyers and planners.

The matrix is per-user and per-session: each user works in their own view, and the rows they have loaded do not affect other users. This makes it safe to use as a working workspace, loading subsets of records, editing, and refreshing freely.

Typical Use Cases

As a product data manager, I want to load all items in a product family into the Information Matrix and see their material, colour, and dimension specifications side by side, so that I can identify which items are missing values and fill them in without navigating to each item card individually.
As a buyer, I want to open the Order Matrix filtered to items in a specific product group, see the current inventory and open purchase order quantities alongside the item specifications, and enter Quantity to Order values for multiple items in a single view, so that I can make replenishment decisions with full context.
As a data quality analyst, I want to use Import from Specification Search to load all items that match a specific combination of specification criteria into the matrix, and then use Add Values to Lines to apply a corrected value to all of them at once, so that a batch correction that would otherwise require opening dozens of item cards can be done in seconds.
As a master data administrator, I want to maintain multiple Matrix Templates — one for technical attributes, one for logistics data, one for commercial classifications — so that different teams each have a focused, role-specific view of the same item records without unnecessary columns cluttering their workspace.
As a category manager, I want to filter items by supplier using Import Lines and then compare the specification values across all items from that supplier in a single matrix view, so that I can review the completeness and consistency of the supplier's product data before a product launch.

Key Concepts

Information Matrix — the main page presenting records as rows and configured fields or specifications as columns. Each user works in their own instance of the matrix, which is populated on demand and does not persist across sessions.
Order Matrix — a variant of the Information Matrix for items that adds live inventory columns (Inventory, Quantity on Purchase Order, Quantity on Sales Order) and a writable Quantity to Order field alongside the specification columns.
Matrix Template — a named configuration stored on the Information Matrix Template Setup page that defines the columns shown in the matrix. Each template is linked to a specific record type (such as Item or Customer) and maps each column to either a standard table field or a Master Data Information Code. Templates can be copied and shared.
Import Lines — an action that filters records from the source table by field values and adds the matching records as rows in the matrix. You define which field to filter on and what value to match, giving you precise control over the subset of records displayed.
Import from Specifications — an action that populates the matrix by reading existing information entries, with optional filters on Information Code, Information Value, or Value, so that the matrix shows exactly the records that already have a certain specification.
Import from Specification Search — an action that transfers the results of a saved Specification Search directly into the matrix as rows, connecting the search and editing workflows without requiring manual re-selection.
Add Values to Lines — a bulk action that lets you select a value for one or more matrix columns and apply it to every row currently loaded in the matrix, with a confirmation prompt before committing. This is the primary tool for mass-updating specification data.
Bulk delete values — a bulk action that clears the value from one or more selected columns across all loaded rows. You select which columns to clear, and the action removes all matching information entries.
Special Sorting Field — an optional setting on the matrix view that sorts rows by the value of a numeric, date, or Boolean Information Code, rather than by the record's primary key. This is useful when you want to rank or sequence records by a measured attribute such as weight or lead time.

Relations to Other Features or Apps

Within the Master Data Information app, the Information Matrix is a direct editing surface for information entries — every value typed or selected in a matrix column is stored as a regular information entry, fully visible through Information Setup and participating in Merge Descriptions, Extended Texts, Translations, and Master Data on Documents. The Import from Specification Search action creates a direct workflow bridge between the Specification Search feature and the matrix. Matrix Templates share the same column configuration structure as Import Worksheet templates, and the Information Matrix Template Setup page includes an action to create a matrix template from an existing Import Worksheet template.

Within standard Business Central, the Order Matrix reads live inventory and order quantities directly from standard Business Central inventory and order tables, so the figures always reflect the current state without any synchronisation step. Changes made to specification values in the matrix trigger the same validation logic as changes made through standard item or entity cards, ensuring data integrity is maintained regardless of how the data is entered.

When This Feature Adds Value

When you need to review or update the same specifications across a large number of records and opening each card individually would be impractical.
When data quality work requires comparing values side by side across records — for example, identifying which items in a product range are missing a mandatory specification or have inconsistent values.
When a buying or planning team needs to see item specifications and live inventory quantities together in a single, filterable view to support replenishment decisions.
When you need to apply the same specification value to a filtered group of records in one operation — such as setting a new certification status or updating a supplier code across an entire product category.