Change Logs

The change log enables you to monitor every direct alteration a user makes to data within the database. You need to specify the particular tables and fields you want the system to record, and subsequently, activate the change log. Let's explore the process of setting up and reviewing change logs.

1. Enable the change log Access "Change Log Setup" through the "Tell me" feature, and then select the corresponding link.

Verify if the Change Log is activated on the Change Log Setup page.

2.

Select "Yes."

The change log will be activated. Note: As explained in the warning above, activating the change log may impact the performance of Business Central and significantly increase database usage, depending on the number of monitoring fields and tables you have configured.

2. Setting up fields Monitoring

Click “Setup -> Table”.

You can specify which tables you want to track changes for, and which changes to track.

If you select "Some Fields," you can access Assist Edit to choose which fields you want to audit

.Upon finishing the change log configuration, click on the "Close" button.

Note: Following the addition of one or more fields and the initiation of monitoring, you must log out of Business Central and log in again to apply your settings

.3. Working with Monitoring

Enter Change Log Entries in Tell me, and then choose the related link.

The Change Log Entries page displays changes in chronological order, showcasing all modifications made to the values in fields on the specified tables

PS: You have the option to utilize the Delete function to remove any undesired change logs.

Before deletion, you can apply filters such as Date and Time, Table No., Field No., User ID, and more

4. Retention Policy (New Feature in BC17)

Starting from the Dynamics 365 Business Central 2020 release wave 2, users have the ability to establish retention policies, determining the frequency with which they want Business Central to remove outdated data from tables containing log entries and archived records.

On the Change Log Entries page, click Retention Policy

The Retention Policy for Change Log Entries will be accessible.

Alternatively, type "Retention Policies" in the "Tell me" field, and then select the corresponding link

Subsequently, you'll be able to view all retention policies.

You can enable or disable it on Retention Policy page

Policies may encompass all data in the tables beyond the expiration date, or they can incorporate filter criteria to include only specific expired data in the policy.

Therefore, if you aim to decrease the number of entries, you can establish a retention policy to automatically delete entries after a designated period.