Business Central includes a built-in analysis mode that lets you group, pivot, and filter data on any list page without leaving the system. This guide covers how to enable it, what you can do with it, and how to save your views as named tabs for future use.
What Analysis Mode Does in Business Central
Analysis mode is a feature preview in Business Central called Analyse and pivot data on list pages using multiple tabs. It loads the data from any list page into your browser so you can group, sort, and pivot it in real time. Furthermore, you do not need to export the data to a spreadsheet. The analysis happens inside Business Central, on the same screen you already use every day.
The feature covers two main views: row grouping and pivot mode. Additionally, it supports live value summaries, filters, and saved tabs. Therefore, you can build a full picture of your data and come back to the same view whenever you need it.
Before this feature was available, the usual approach was to export data from a list to Excel and sort or group it there. That added steps and meant the data was no longer live. Notably, this feature removes that step entirely. The data stays inside Business Central and updates as you adjust the view.
How to Enable Analysis Mode
First, open Feature Management in Business Central. Search for it using the top search bar. Find the entry for Analysis mode feature preview. Then change the Enable for field from None to All users.
After saving that change, Business Central will prompt you to sign out and sign back in. Indeed, the feature only activates after a fresh login. Specifically, you should test this in your sandbox environment before enabling it in production. That way you can explore the feature without any risk to live data.
Using Analysis Mode on a List Page
Once the feature is on, go to any list page. For example, open the Posted Sales Invoices list. You will see a new Analyse toggle in the action bar at the top left. Click it to enter analysis mode.
The page loads all the records into your browser client. At first, the data looks similar to the regular list view. However, a panel opens on the right with three areas: Column, Row Group, and Values. Additionally, you can drag and rearrange the columns in the main grid. Consequently, setting up the view you want takes only a few seconds.
Grouping Records by Row
To group your records, drag a column into the Row Group area. For example, drag Customer Number there. The list reorganises live and groups all invoices by customer. You can expand each group to see the records inside it. Moreover, you can add a second level of grouping. For instance, drag Closed under Customer Number. Now the invoices are grouped first by customer, then by whether they are closed. You can switch the order of those groups at any time, and the data updates straight away.
Pivot Mode and Value Summaries
Pivot mode is the next step up. In this mode, you move a column into the Column Labels area. The grid then splits into columns based on the values in that field. For example, move the Closed field to column labels. You then see one column for closed invoices and one for open ones, side by side. Furthermore, you can keep row groups active at the same time, so you can read across both dimensions at once.
In the Values area, you choose which fields to aggregate. Add the invoice amount, for instance, and the system shows a live sum for each group. Additionally, you can select a set of cells in the grid and get an instant summary at the bottom. The summary shows the count, sum, average, minimum, and maximum. Indeed, this is useful when you need a quick total without running a full report. Notably, all the calculations update live as you change your groupings or filters.
Filtering Data in Analysis Mode
You can apply filters while in analysis mode. For example, add a due date filter to limit the rows to a specific period. The grid updates right away and the value summaries adjust too. Moreover, you can clear the filter just as easily to return to the full data set.
Similarly, filters work on top of your row groups and pivot settings. So you can narrow the data while keeping your grouping structure in place. Therefore, it is simple to compare a filtered view with the full picture. In practice, this saves a lot of time when you are trying to isolate a specific set of records.
For example, you might filter by due date to see only invoices from a given quarter, then check the grouped totals by customer. When you clear the filter, the full data set comes back. The grouping stays exactly as it was. Consequently, you do not need to rebuild the view after each filter change.
Saving Views as Named Tabs
Once you have a view set up the way you want, you can save it as a named tab. Business Central keeps each tab separate. You can give each one a clear name so it is easy to find later. Furthermore, you can create as many tabs as you need. Each one stores a different combination of groupings, pivots, and filters.
Overall, the tab system means you do not have to rebuild your views from scratch each time. When you switch back to analysis mode, all your saved tabs are still there. In short, this turns a one-off exploration into a tool you can return to whenever you need it.
Wrapping Up: Analysis Mode Built Into Business Central
Analysis mode brings grouping, pivoting, and filtering directly into Business Central. You do not need a separate tool or an exported file. The data is already there, and this feature gives you a fast way to see it from different angles.
Moreover, the ability to save named tabs means the work you do in one session carries over to the next. Consequently, your team can build views that match how your business reads its data. Next, try enabling it in your sandbox and working through the row grouping and pivot options. That is the fastest way to see what it can do for you.
Watch the full walkthrough in the video above to see every step in action, from enabling the feature to saving a named tab with a live pivot view.
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