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Item Attribute Synchronization

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  • Updated on May 22, 2026
  • Published on Mar 2, 2026
  • 7 minute(s) read
  • AF
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Feature Overview

Item Attribute Synchronization creates a persistent link between an Information Code and a standard Business Central Item Attribute. Once the link is in place, changes made on either side are automatically carried across to the other — a value updated through the Master Data Information specification framework is reflected in the BC Item Attribute, and vice versa. This keeps item data consistent across both interfaces without requiring double data entry.

Business Central includes a built-in Item Attributes feature for tagging items with simple key-value properties. Master Data Information provides a more powerful and flexible specification framework. Without a connection between the two, teams who rely on both risk data getting out of sync. Item Attribute Synchronization bridges this gap by treating the two systems as a single source of truth for the linked attributes.

The synchronization is configured entirely within the Item Attributes section of the Information Code Card. You specify which BC Item Attribute to link to, which part of the Information Value entry should be kept in sync (the Description, the Information Value code, or the Value field), and whether synchronization should happen continuously in real time or only when triggered manually. The Synchronize Item Attributes action on the Information Code Card performs a one-time bulk synchronization — this is typically used when setting up the link for the first time to align existing data, or after a period where continuous integration was disabled.

Each BC Item Attribute can only be linked to one Information Code. The system enforces this to prevent conflicting synchronization paths.

Important: The Item Attributes group on the Information Code Card and the Synchronize Item Attributes action are only visible when the Item Attribute Integration feature is enabled in Abakion Feature Management. This feature is enabled by default on new installations but may have been turned off on existing environments.

Key Facts

Area Detail
Feature prerequisite Item Attribute Integration must be enabled in Abakion Feature Management (on by default)
Where to set up Information Code Card — Item Attributes group
Precondition The Information Code must have Table set to Item
What is synced One of: Description, Information Value code, or Value field
Sync modes Continuous (real time) or manual (via Synchronize Item Attributes action)
Restriction Each BC Item Attribute can only be linked to one Information Code
Integration points Information Codes, Information Values, Specification Search, Specifications on Pages, BC Item Attributes (standard)

Getting Started

  1. Ensure the Item Attribute Integration feature is enabled in Abakion Feature Management. When enabled, the Item Attributes group appears on the Information Code Card.
  2. Open the Information Code Card for the code you want to link to a BC Item Attribute.
  3. Ensure the Table field is set to Item — synchronization is only supported for item records.
  4. In the Item Attributes group, click the Item Attribute Name field. Either type the name of an existing BC Item Attribute or use the lookup to select one.
  5. If the attribute does not yet exist in BC, the app will prompt you to create it.
  6. Set Item Attribute Integration with to indicate which part of the Information Value entry should be kept in sync: Description, Information Value, or Value.
  7. Enable Continuous Item Attribute Integration if you want changes to sync automatically in real time. Leave it disabled if you prefer to control synchronization manually.
  8. Use the Synchronize Item Attributes action to perform an initial bulk synchronization and align all existing data.
  9. Verify the sync by opening an item record, checking the BC Item Attributes (via the standard Item Attributes page) and confirming the values match the specifications in the Master Data Information setup.

Related Features

Item Attribute Synchronization is configured on the Information Code Card and depends on Information Values — the values in the specification framework are what get synchronized to the BC Item Attribute values. Once synchronized, Specification Search benefits from consistent data regardless of which interface was used to update the item — searches on specification values return accurate results because both sides are aligned. Specifications on Pages also benefits: values entered through the specification fields embedded on the Item Card are part of the same data that synchronization keeps aligned with BC's native attributes. The feature works with standard Business Central Item Attributes — no additional BC modules are required on the receiving side.

User Stories

US-01: Link an Information Code to an existing BC Item Attribute

As a IT Manager
I want to link the "Colour" Information Code to the existing BC Item Attribute "Color"
So that the two systems stay in sync and users do not need to maintain colour information in two places

Setup:

  1. Open the Information Code Card for COLOUR. Ensure Table is set to Item.
  2. In the Item Attributes group, set Item Attribute Name to Color (the existing BC attribute).
  3. Set Item Attribute Integration with to Description (or whichever field matches the BC attribute values).
  4. Enable Continuous Item Attribute Integration.
  5. Run Synchronize Item Attributes to align all existing data.
US-02: Perform an initial bulk synchronization after setting up the link

As a IT Manager
I want to synchronize all existing specification entries for the "Material" code to the corresponding BC Item Attribute
So that both datasets are aligned from day one without re-entering any data

Setup:

  1. Complete the link configuration on the Information Code Card for MATERIAL (steps 1–6 in Getting Started).
  2. Choose the Synchronize Item Attributes action.
  3. The app reads all existing Information Value entries for this code across all items and writes the corresponding values to the BC Item Attribute.
  4. Verify the result on a sample item by comparing the specification value and the BC Item Attribute value.
US-03: Allow BC Item Attribute changes to flow back into Master Data Information

As a IT Manager
I want to ensure that when a user updates an item attribute value directly on the standard BC Item Attributes page, the change is reflected in the specification framework
So that data remains consistent regardless of which interface the user works in

Setup:

  1. Enable Continuous Item Attribute Integration on the linked Information Code Card.
  2. Test by opening the standard Item Attributes page for an item and changing a value for the linked attribute.
  3. Open the item's specification page in Master Data Information and verify the change is reflected.
US-04: Use synchronized attributes with the BC AI Marketing Text generator

As a Business Manager
I want to synchronize the key product specifications to BC Item Attributes so that the AI Marketing Text generator can read them
So that the AI has access to structured product data (colour, material, features) when generating marketing descriptions

Setup:

  1. Identify the Information Codes that describe key product attributes (e.g. COLOUR, MATERIAL, KEY-FEATURE).
  2. Link each code to a corresponding BC Item Attribute using the Item Attribute Synchronization setup.
  3. Enable Continuous Item Attribute Integration for each linked code.
  4. Run Synchronize Item Attributes for each code to populate the BC attributes.
  5. Open an item and use the standard BC AI Marketing Text feature — it will now have access to the synchronized attribute values.
US-05: Prevent a BC Item Attribute from being linked to more than one Information Code

As a IT Manager
I want to understand the uniqueness constraint on Item Attribute links
So that I can plan the mapping correctly and avoid configuration errors

Setup:

  1. Attempt to link the same BC Item Attribute to a second Information Code.
  2. The system will display an error indicating that the BC Item Attribute is already in use by another Information Code.
  3. Either unlink it from the first code before reassigning, or use a different BC Item Attribute for the second code.
US-06: Manually trigger synchronization without continuous integration

As a IT Manager
I want to run synchronization on demand rather than in real time
So that I can control when the synchronization overhead occurs, for example running it during off-peak hours

Setup:

  1. Leave Continuous Item Attribute Integration disabled on the Information Code Card.
  2. When synchronization is needed, open the Information Code Card and choose Synchronize Item Attributes.
  3. The action runs a one-time bulk sync for all items linked to this code.

Field Reference

Field Where to find it What it does Default
Item Attribute Name Information Code Card — Item Attributes group The name of the BC Item Attribute to link to this Information Code Blank
Item Attribute Integration with Information Code Card — Item Attributes group Which field in the Information Value entry is kept in sync (Description, Information Value, or Value) Blank
Continuous Item Attribute Integration Information Code Card — Item Attributes group When enabled, changes on either side sync automatically in real time Disabled

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