Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central is a helpful system for managing daily business tasks. One useful feature is the “Work Description” field. It allows users to add clear and detailed notes inside sales documents, which makes communication easier. This feature was first added in NAV 2017, and it helps different teams understand important information quickly and easily. 

In this article, we’ll explore the work description field’s purpose, technical details, customization options and best practices. This helps you understand the feature so you can use it well in your Business Central setup. 

1. Historical Context  

The “Work Description” field was first added in Microsoft Dynamics NAV 2017. It was created to give users a place to write more detailed information inside sales documents. This helped improve communication because salespeople could add special notes or instructions directly in the document. 

Later, this feature became a part of Dynamics 365 Business Central. It still works the same way but continues to improve so it can meet modern business needs. 

2. Functional Overview 

What is the “Work Description” Field? 

The Work Description field is a text area in Business Central used in sales documents. It lets users type long, multi‑line notes without any limit. This makes it useful for adding clear and detailed information that applies to the whole document—not just one line. 

Main Ways People Use It 

  • Sales Quotes and Orders: Add important notes or instructions about the whole sale. 
  • Production Instructions: Share manufacturing details or special requirements. 
  • Dispatch and Storage Notes: Add handling or storage instructions for warehouse or delivery teams. 
  • Customer Communication: Give clear, detailed information in documents customers will see. 

3. Technical Aspects  

Data Type Details 

The Work Description field is a BLOB (Binary Large Object). This type allows very large amounts of text to be stored. 
But BLOB fields also have some limits: 

  • Display Issues: BLOB fields can’t show directly on list pages or reports unless they are converted first. 
  • Export Problems: When exporting, some tools can’t read BLOB fields. Instead of the text, they may show symbols like *. 

How It Behaves in Documents 

When a sales document is posted, the Work Description is also copied to the posted version. This keeps the extra details available for later use. 

4. Customization and Display  

Showing Work Description in FactBoxes 

Normally, the Work Description does not appear on list pages (like the Sales Order List). However, users can add it to a FactBox, which shows information on the side of the page without making the main page crowded. 

Steps to Add It to a FactBox 

  1. Create a FactBox Page: Make a new page that shows the Work Description field. 
  1. Add It to the Main Page: Use a page extension to add this FactBox to the Sales Order List. 
  1. Link the Pages: Use SubPageLink to connect the FactBox to the correct sales order. 

5. Exporting and Reporting  

Export Challenges 

  • Exporting the Work Description field to Excel can be difficult. 
  • Tools like Open in Excel or Configuration Packages often show an asterisk * instead of the actual text. This happens because they can’t export BLOB data properly. 

Ways to Export the Work Description 

  • Using Configuration Packages:  
  • Create a package that includes the Work Description field. 
  • Export it to Excel. 
  • Update the field. 
  • Import it back into Business Central. 
    This works well for multiline text fields. 
  • Custom Reports:  
  • Create a report that converts the BLOB text before exporting. 
  • This requires development skills but offers a clean solution. 

6. Extending Functionality  

Adding Work Description to Purchase Documents 

Companies may also want a Work Description field in purchase documents. 
To do this: 

  1. Create a Table Extension: Add the Work Description field to the Purchase Header table. 
  1. Create a Page Extension: Show this new field on pages like the Purchase Order page. 
  1. Add Logic: Make sure the field behaves properly during posting and other actions. 

This helps keep both sales and purchase processes consistent. 

7. Best Practices  

To use the Work Description field effectively: 

  • Make Rules: Define what kind of notes should go in the Work Description. 
  • Train Staff: Teach team members how to use the field correctly. 
  • Review Content: Check the field regularly to keep information clear and helpful. 
  • Use Helpful Add‑ons: Add FactBoxes or custom reports to improve how the field is used and displayed. 

Conclusion  

The Work Description field in Dynamics 365 Business Central is an important tool that helps improve communication in sales documents. It allows businesses to add clear notes, understand how the feature works, and customize it as needed. This makes daily work more organized and efficient. When companies follow best practices, the Work Description field becomes a valuable part of their documents and helps teams communicate better across different departments.