For quite some time there has been confusion around the option for “Continuous” in number sequences in Microsoft Dynamics AX. For instance, some people have confused the option with the process of incrementing the number from 1 to 2 to 3 for example. Their thinking being, if it is not marked as continuous it would be a static number. This thinking is incorrect. The continuous option on a number sequence is intended to fill in gaps in scenarios where a record was proposed and then later the action was aborted. For example, let’s assume I was creating a new Daily journal which used a voucher sequence that was continuous and the next number was GNJL000127. When I create my new line in the journal I will see the voucher number set to GNJL000127. While I am creating my journal, some other users create additional General journal lines and post them consuming the numbers GNJL000128, GNJL000129, GNJL000130 and GNJL000131. If I were to delete my journal line with number 000127 the number would go back to the Status list with a status of “Free.”
To view Number sequence setup click Organization administration -> Common -> Number sequences – Number sequences.
Numbers that appear in the Status list with a status of “Active” are actively assigned to a transaction/record. If the record is not committed the number will return to the list as “Free” as mentioned in the example. If the record is committed the number is removed from the status list. The items in the status list with a “Free” status are used for new records prior to the Next number listed on the number sequence. Once all “Free” numbers are used the Next number on the number sequence will be used.
When setting up your number sequences note that the Continuous option is not required for the number to increment. The Continuous option is used to fill in the gaps for numbers that are not committed and will add additional overhead to the system. Be sure to check the accounting rules for your locality to determine whether or not you may be required to use a continuous number sequence for particular postings. If you do require continuous number sequences for posting you can enforce the setup of continuous numbers by marking the option “Check continuous numbers” in General ledger parameters (General Ledger -> Setup -> General ledger parameters).