Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central equips users with a powerful array of tools and features designed to streamline operations, enhance productivity, and drive success. Among the most effective tools for achieving this are the Business Central keyboard shortcuts.
Keyboard shortcuts are key combinations that provide quick access to specific functions within software applications, such as Business Central. By reducing your reliance on mouse navigation, these shortcuts help you save valuable time, minimize effort, and enhance your workflow. Whether you’re navigating through records, entering data, or accessing various elements of a page, utilizing keyboard shortcuts can significantly speed up your work and make your daily tasks more manageable.
With practice, these shortcuts become second nature, transforming your interaction with Business Central into a more efficient and enjoyable experience.
This guide aims to provide you with a comprehensive overview of the general keyboard shortcuts available in Business Central. Coupled with a helpful video tutorial, we’ll take you through the most essential shortcuts that are guaranteed to make a positive impact on your productivity.
Business Central Keyboard Shortcuts Differ from Windows to macOS
There are many keyboard shortcuts that can help your experience in Business Central. They can, however, vary from Windows to macOS so it’s important to make sure that you’re looking at the correct device type. While most of the shortcuts are consistent across Windows and macOS operating systems, there are a few exceptions that are specific to macOS.
Watch our video and refer to the table below for Business Central keyboard shortcuts that can help save a lot of time.
General Keyboard Shortcuts in Business Central
The table below outlines keyboard shortcuts designed for moving through and accessing various parts of a page. These parts encompass elements such as actions, drop-down lists, lookups, and more.
| Windows Shortcut | macOS Equivalent | Action |
|---|---|---|
| Alt + Q | Option + Q | Open the Tell Me window |
| Alt + T | Option + T | Open My Settings |
| Alt + Up | Option + Up | Open the lookup for the current field |
| Alt + Right | Option + Right | See more options in a field or action |
| F5 | Cmd + R | Refresh the current page |
| Esc | Esc | Close the current page or drop-down |
| Ctrl + Alt + F1 | Cmd + Option + F1 | Inspect page elements and data |
| Ctrl + C | Cmd + C | Copy the selected rows to the clipboard |
| Ctrl + V | Cmd + V | Paste rows from the clipboard |
| Ctrl + A | Cmd + A | Select all rows in the current list |
| Ctrl + Shift + C | Cmd + Shift + C | Copy a link to the current page |
| Ctrl + F1 | Cmd + F1 | Open the Help for the current page |
| Ctrl + F12 | Cmd + F12 | Toggle full screen mode |
| Ctrl + N | Cmd + N | Create a new record |
| Ctrl + Del | Cmd + Backspace | Delete the selected record(s) |
| Ctrl + Enter | Cmd + Return | Save and close the edit window or save changes in a list |
| Ctrl + Shift + F12 | Cmd + Shift + F12 | Maximize the current task page |
| Ctrl + Shift + I | Cmd + Shift + I | Import from Excel |
| Ctrl + Shift + E | Cmd + Shift + E | Export to Excel |
| Ctrl + Page Up | Cmd + Fn + Up Arrow | Move to the first record in a list |
| Ctrl + Page Down | Cmd + Fn + Down Arrow | Move to the last record in a list |
| Shift + Alt + N | Shift + Option + N | Create a new document or card depending on context |
Please note that macOS uses the Command (Cmd) key where Windows uses Control (Ctrl), and the Option key is used in place of the Alt key. Additionally, for some actions that involve the function keys (like F1, F5, F12), you might need to use the Fn (Function) key on Mac keyboards, depending on your keyboard settings.
For a full list of keyboard shortcuts, visit Microsoft.
Practical Examples of Business Central Keyboard Shortcuts in Action
To truly appreciate the power of keyboard shortcuts in Business Central, let’s explore some practical scenarios where these shortcuts can significantly streamline your workflow:
1. Navigating Records Quickly
Imagine you’re working with a long list of customer records and you need to review the first and last records quickly. Instead of scrolling manually, you can use Ctrl + Page Up (or Cmd + Fn + Up Arrow on macOS) to jump to the first record and Ctrl + Page Down (or Cmd + Fn + Down Arrow on macOS) to move to the last record. This instant navigation saves you time and effort, especially when dealing with extensive datasets.
2. Efficient Data Entry and Editing
Data entry is a common task in Business Central. When entering data into a new sales order, the shortcut Ctrl + N (or Cmd + N on macOS) allows you to create a new record instantly. If you make a mistake or need to delete a line, Ctrl + Del (or Cmd + Backspace on macOS) lets you remove it without reaching for the mouse. These shortcuts make data entry not only faster but also more seamless.
3. Accessing Actions and Information Quickly
The Alt + Q (or Option + Q on macOS) shortcut, which opens the Tell Me window, is incredibly useful for quickly accessing information or actions. Whether you need to find a specific page, report, or action within Business Central, this shortcut helps you locate it without navigating through menus, saving you valuable time.
4. Quick Help Access
When you encounter a feature or function you’re unfamiliar with, Ctrl + F1 (or Cmd + F1 on macOS) provides instant access to the Help documentation for the page you’re currently on. This shortcut is invaluable for learning new features or troubleshooting issues on the fly.
By incorporating these shortcuts into your daily use of Business Central, you’ll notice a marked improvement in how quickly and efficiently you can navigate the platform and manage your tasks. Keyboard shortcuts not only enhance productivity but also contribute to a more enjoyable user experience by minimizing repetitive, manual tasks.
Closing Thoughts
At Sabre Limited, we are experts in manufacturing. We stand among the best Business Central for manufacturing implementation partners across North America. What sets us apart from our competitors is that we use fixed fees instead of time and material billing and we always put the customer first.
Our areas of expertise include:
- Production Manufacturing
- Job Shop Manufacturing
- Engineer-To-Order / Custom Manufacturing
- Project Manufacturing
- Architectural Manufacturing
- Industrial Equipment Manufacturing
If you’re interested in learning more about what Sabre Limited can offer, we’ve been dedicated to helping small to medium-sized manufacturers learn and adopt Business Central. Reach out, and let’s explore how we can contribute to the success of your manufacturing journey. Contact us at info@sabrelimited.com or call (519) 585-7524. We look forward to hearing from you.
