Let’s take a look at the flow reset quantity to count in the physical inventory.
When you run a physical inventory count in Business Central, you can choose whether to count against a pre-suggested quantity or start from zero. The Reset Quantity to Count action sets the physical inventory quantity to zero on all lines in the journal, so you count blind without seeing the calculated quantity first.
You find this functionality in the standard physical inventory journal, which is used for counting on non-advanced warehouse locations. After you calculate inventory, Business Central suggests a physical quantity equal to the calculated quantity. The reset action removes that suggestion.
If you use Reset Quantity to Count, you must count and enter a quantity on every line before you post. If you post with reset lines that you haven’t counted, Business Central treats the empty quantity as zero and creates large negative adjustments on those lines.
Counting on a non-advanced warehouse location
This example takes place on a location set up as a non-advanced warehouse location. On that type of location, you count using the physical inventory journal in standard Business Central rather than a warehouse-specific counting document.
To get started, open a physical inventory journal and run Calculate Inventory. You can filter the calculation so you don’t pull in the full inventory at once. For example, filter on specific bins so the journal only contains the items you intend to count. In this case the filter applies to shelf number 12.
How Calculate Inventory suggests a quantity
When you calculate, Business Central fills the journal lines and sets the physical inventory quantity equal to the calculated quantity. This means you can count directly against the suggested numbers if you want. The system shows you what it expects to find, and you adjust only where the actual count differs.
Using Reset Quantity to Count
If you prefer to count without seeing the suggested quantity, use the Reset Quantity to Count action. This is the same logic you find in the warehouse mobile app. When you start counting shelf number 12, you select Reset Quantity to Count on the journal.
Business Central asks you to confirm the reset. Once you confirm, the physical inventory quantity is set to zero on the lines, and you’re ready to count from scratch.
Watch out before posting
After you reset the quantity to count, you have to run through all the lines and enter the counted quantity on each one. If you post the journal before counting every line, Business Central reads the empty lines as zero and posts large negative adjustments across all of them. Make sure every line is counted before you post.
Q&A
What does Reset Quantity to Count do in a physical inventory journal?
It sets the physical inventory quantity to zero on the journal lines, so you count without seeing the calculated quantity that Business Central suggested. You then enter the actual counted quantity yourself.
How do I limit a physical inventory count to a single shelf or bin?
When you run Calculate Inventory, filter on the specific bins you want to count. That way the journal only contains those lines instead of the full inventory.
What happens if I post a physical inventory journal after resetting quantities but before counting all lines?
Business Central treats the empty lines as a count of zero and posts large negative adjustments on every uncounted line. You must enter a counted quantity on all lines before posting.
Which journal do I use to count inventory on a non-advanced warehouse location?
You use the standard physical inventory journal in Business Central. Run Calculate Inventory, then count against the suggested quantities or reset them and count from zero.