Searching, Filtering & Dates

🔍 Searching

• Press Alt + Q for Global page search

Use the Search Box at the top of any list page to quickly find specific records within that list.

• Press F3 to open/close the search box.
• Search looks across all fields (even hidden ones).
• It's case-insensitive by default.
• Search tips:
  • 'Man' – Exact match, case-sensitive
  • Man* – Starts with 'Man', case-sensitive
  • @Man* – Starts with 'man', case-insensitive
  • @*man – Ends with 'man', case-insensitive

🧠 Search vs Filter

🧪 Filtering

Filters give more control and precision when narrowing down results.

🧱 Filter Pane (on lists)

• Open with Shift + F3 or via the drop-down near the page title.
• Sections:
  • Views – Predefined filtered views you can save
  • Filter list by – Add filters on specific fields
  • Filter totals by – Filter on calculated fields like amounts

💡 Quick filter actions:

• Alt + F3 – Filter to selected value in selected field
• Shift + Alt + F3 – Add current field to filter pane
• Ctrl + Enter – Return to row view from filter

📝 Setting Filters on Reports/Batches

• Filters are visible on the request page.
• Use the + Filter action to add more fields.
• Saved filters depend on your default value settings.

🔢 Filter Operators

Tip: If your value includes symbols like &, (, |, etc., wrap it in quotes:
Example: 'J & V*'

🏷️ Filter Tokens

These shortcuts let you quickly filter by user-specific values:

📎 Useful Shortcuts

🔹 Basic Date Entry

You can enter dates in almost any format – Business Central reads regional date formats and allows separators like /, -, or spaces. Use:

• 31/12/25, 31-12-25, or 31 12 25

• The calendar picker or Ctrl + Home to select a date

🔹 Quick Date Shortcuts

You can also use 2/4/6/8-digit numbers depending on your settings and context.

🔹 Date Range Filters

Use these expressions to create powerful date filters:

You can mix and match expressions, including text dates like Mon25, periods, or relative formulas.

🔹 Date Formulas (Relative Dates)

Use formulas to enter dates relative to today:

🔹 Entering Times & DateTimes

• Time inputs accept various formats: 5, 5AM, 17, 17:30, 5:30pm

• Combine with dates using a space:
  Example: 01/01/25 14:00

⏰ DateTime Filters

For datetime value fields, filters must include both date and time in this format:

MM/DD/YYYY HH:MM..MM/DD/YYYY HH:MM

Examples:

• 01/01/25 00:00..31/01/25 23:59 → All records for Jan 2025

• t-3d 00:00..t 23:59 → All records for last 3 days

• t-3d 0 → Shorthand for midnight 3 days ago

• t-3d time → Specific time on the date 3 days ago