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Ad-hoc analysis of fixed assets data

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This article explains how to use the Data Analysis feature to analyze fixed assets data directly from list pages and queries. You don't have to run a report or switch to another application, such as Excel. The feature provides an interactive and versatile way to calculate, summarize, and examine data. Instead of running reports using options and filters, you can add multiple tabs that represent different tasks or views on the data. Some examples are "Total assets," "Depreciations over time," or any other view you can imagine. To learn more about how to use the Data Analysis feature, go to Analyze list and query data with analysis mode.

Use the following list pages to start doing ad-hoc analysis of fixed assets processes:

Fixed assets ad-hoc analysis scenarios

Use the Data Analysis feature for quick fact checking and ad-hoc analysis:

  • If you don't want to run a report.
  • If a report for your specific need doesn't exist.
  • If you want to quickly iterate to get a good overview on a part of your business.

The following sections provide examples of fixed assets scenarios in Business Central.

Area To... Open this page in analysis mode Using these fields
Fixed Assets (Current value) Track asset value, both across all assets and on a single asset. FA Ledger Entries Depreciation Book, FA No., FA Posting Date, FA Posting Type, and Amount
Asset value changes over time Track asset value changes over time. FA Ledger Entries FA Posting Type, FA Posting Date, and Amount
Fixed asset depreciations over time Track depreciations over time, both across all assets and on a single asset. FA Ledger Entries Depreciation Book, FA No., FA Posting Year, FA Posting Month, Amount, and FA Posting Type

Example: fixed assets current value

To track the value of one or more fixed assets, follow these steps:

  1. Open the FA Ledger Entries list, and choose Enter analysis mode. to turn on analysis mode.
  2. Go to the Columns menu and remove all columns (select the box next to the Search field on the right).
  3. Drag the Depreciation Book and FA No. fields to the Row Groups area.
  4. Choose the FA Posting Date and FA Posting Type fields.
  5. Drag the Amount field to the Values area.
  6. Rename your analysis tab to Asset overview - value, or something that describes this analysis.

The following image shows the result of these steps.

Example of how to do data analysis on the FA Ledger Entries page to see the value of an asset.

Example: asset value changes over time

To track asset value changes over time, follow these steps:

  1. Open the FA Ledger Entries list, and choose Enter analysis mode. to turn on analysis mode.
  2. Go to the Columns menu and remove all columns (select the box next to the Search field on the right).
  3. Turn on the Pivot Mode toggle (located above the Search field on the right).
  4. Drag the FA Posting Type field to the Row Groups area.
  5. Drag the FA Posting Year and FA Posting Month fields to the Column Labels area.
  6. Drag the Amount field to the Values area.
  7. Rename your analysis tab to Asset value changes over time, or something that describes this analysis.

The following image shows the result of these steps.

Example of how to do data analysis on the FA Ledger Entries page to see asset value changes over time.

Example: fixed asset depreciations over time

To track depreciation for one or more fixed assets, follow these steps:

  1. Open the FA Ledger Entries list, and choose Enter analysis mode. to turn on analysis mode.
  2. Go to the Columns menu and remove all columns (select the box next to the Search field on the right).
  3. Turn on the Pivot Mode toggle (located above the Search field on the right).
  4. Drag the Depreciation Book and FA No. fields to the Row Groups area.
  5. Drag the FA Posting Year and FA Posting Month fields to the Column Labels area.
  6. Drag the Amount field to the Values area.
  7. In the FA Posting Type filter field, choose Depreciation.
  8. Rename your analysis tab to Depreciations over time, or something that describes this analysis.

The following image shows the result of these steps.

Example of how to do data analysis on the FA Ledger Entries page to see depreciation over time.

Data foundation for ad-hoc analysis on fixed assets

When you post fixed asset journals, Business Central creates entries in the FA Entry table. Therefore, ad-hoc analysis on fixed assets is typically done on the FA Ledger Entries page.

Contributors

Microsoft maintains this article. Parts of the examples were originally written by the following contributor.

See also

Analyze list and query data with analysis mode
Fixed assets analytics overview
Analytics, business intelligence, and reporting overview
Fixed assets overview
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