Since version 5 of Dynamics NAV there has been the new application wide functionality for Record Links. You know the little paperclip in the toolbar. In Microsoft words: “The Record Links feature in Microsoft Dynamics NAV enables you to link Microsoft Dynamics NAV records to relevant documents such as reports and spreadsheets. For example, you could link documents from Microsoft Office SharePoint Server or on a file server to a sales order or purchase order.”

In earlier versions you were relying on either local customization or using a document management add-on like Matrix Docs. The new standard Dynamics NAV feature could have been a game-stopper for these add-ons, if it wasnt because of some limitations to the way it is implemented in Dynamics NAV. Looking at the Table 2000000068: Record Link, which is a system table, you will notice you can design this table and add code into the misc. triggers on the table for both field validation and RIMD triggers. Great, well not really – as the “form” used is not a real “form”. When you click the paperclip or use the shortcut key Ctrl+L to open the Record Links a form that looks like a real Dynamics NAV form opens up. But try to design it – nothing happens. Also when validating a field or inserting a record, you will notice it does not trigger any of your triggers on the table.

The functionality is available from any record in the system (almost). And if you look at codeunit 80 Sales-Post and codeunit 90 Purch.-Post, you will actually notice that the standard functionality actually moves the links from Sales/Purchase Header to the posted documents.

Codeunit 80 Samples:

SalesShptHeader.COPYLINKS(Rec);
...
ReturnRcptHeader.COPYLINKS(Rec);
...
IF HASLINKS THEN DELETELINKS;

Lets take a look at these functions that is available on the record variables. The new functions can be found from the C/AL Symbols Menu:

So if you wanted to create your own links form, it would be pretty simple. Unfortunately you would have to modify each and every form where you want the new functionality on, to override the CTRL+L shortcut (and if users still use their mouse to click on the paperclip, it still will go to the standard form).