What's new: User interface changes

Applies To: Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012 R3, Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012 R2, Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012 Feature Pack, Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012

The user interface consists of features and commands that a user can use to interact with the software, especially to enter and view data and personalize forms. The user interface has changed considerably since Microsoft Dynamics AX 2009.

Overview

Item	Description
Required	Yes
Feature areas affected	All
Stakeholders	Business decision makers Technical decision makers Independent software vendors (ISVs) /developers Partners

New functionality

The user interface for Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012 is cleaner and more consistent, and can easily be adapted to specific tasks and forms. You can view important information on one central list page. Related information is displayed on FastTabs and in FactBoxes, even if the related information is not displayed in the current form. Additionally, you can more easily sort and personalize the data that is displayed.

Comparison with AX 2009

The user interface has changed considerably since AX 2009. AX 2012 includes changes to the following areas:

• Navigation

• List pages

• Filter functionality

• Forms

• Search

Navigation

What can you do?	AX 2009	AX 2012	Why is this important?
Navigate intuitively.	The navigation structure was divided into modules.	The navigation structure is divided into modules that have a more consistent design.	Users can more easily access the required forms and complete tasks.

List pages

What can you do?	AX 2009	AX 2012	Why is this important?
Use the improved Action Pane.	The Action Pane was almost exclusively navigation-based.	The Action Pane now has action buttons that the user can use to create and modify data without leaving the list page.	Users can quickly find and modify data.
View additional information about a selected record on a list page, without leaving the list page.	Limited information about the selected record was displayed in the preview pane.	Information about the selected record is displayed both in FactBoxes and in the preview pane.	Users can view additional important information about a record without opening the master record form.
View messages in a dedicated area.	Messages appeared in the Infolog or in separate dialog boxes.	All messages that are related to the list page, such as error, warning, and system status messages, are displayed in a dedicated area.	Users can view and act on important messages without leaving the form.
Automatically update the information in a form.	Data had to be updated manually, and forms did not always display the latest information.	Data is updated automatically.	The information on list pages is always current.
View related information in a FactBox.	Users had to leave the list page or form to view important related information about the selected record.	Users do not have to open another form to view any related information that is not displayed on the current list page.	Related information is displayed quickly.

Filter functionality

What can you do?	AX 2009	AX 2012	Why is this important?
Sort and filter on any column that is displayed.	Users could not sort or filter on all the columns that were displayed on list pages.	Users can sort and filter on any column that is displayed. Users can also filter across all columns that are displayed.	Users can more easily sort data.
Filter data by using common language.	The Advanced filter window was complex and difficult to use.	The filtering control uses plain language and structure to simplify filtering requests.	Users can more easily sort data.
Filter across all columns.	To filter data, users had to identify the column where data was located.	Data is filtered, regardless of the column that it is located in.	Users can more quickly and easily find data.

Forms

What can you do?	AX 2009	AX 2012	Why is this important?
View detailed information on FastTabs.	All information was visible at all times, so that the workspace was cluttered.	Users can view or condense important information in the same form.	The workspace is simplified, and related information is grouped.
Take advantage of the improved menu appearance.	Some menus were not easily readable or lacked common actions.	Menus are consistent and easy to scan. Menu commands are grouped according to usage.	Menu commands for data entry are simplified.
Switch between the header view and line view in complex forms.	Header information was displayed at the top of the form, and line information was displayed at the bottom of the form.	Complex forms have a header view, where you can view or modify the header-specific fields, and a line view, where you can view the list of lines and information about the selected line.	Forms that contain header and line information are easier to understand and use.
View related information in a FactBox.	Users had to open additional forms to view related information about the selected record.	Related information that is not displayed in the current form can be accessed quickly, without opening another form.	Related information is displayed quickly.

Search

What can you do?	AX 2009	AX 2012	Why is this important?
Use enhanced search capabilities.	Search did not include metadata and documents that are attached to records.	Search includes data, metadata, and documents that are attached to records. Therefore, users can search the data by using common nouns, such as “customer” or “cash flow report.” Alternatively, users can search for specific data, such as a customer name, product ID, or telephone number.	Search is easier and more efficient.
Use the improved search box.	The search box was located in a form that was difficult to locate. Users could not refine their queries.	The search box is a prominent element of the user interface. Several options are available to help users refine their queries.	Users can locate the search box quickly and refine their queries. Therefore, search is more efficient.

More information

For more information, see Obszar roboczy systemu Microsoft Dynamics AX.