Skip to content
  • There are no suggestions because the search field is empty.

HOMEBUILDER:  SETTING UP AND USING PRE-DEFINED PACKAGES

Pre-defined packages (also known as color charts or selection packages) allow you to bundle standard or upgraded options together for quick application to your residential construction lots. Instead of hand-selecting individual item variations for every room, you can apply an entire package in a few clicks to speed up the customer selection process.

This article covers how to configure, import, and apply pre-defined selection packages in HomeBuilder for Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central.

Prerequisite: Exporting a Base Model Map

To make sure your package structure exactly matches your home layout, you must first export the model's structure to Excel.

  1. Navigate to the Lots list page, select a Lot that has your target Model assigned.
  2. In the FactBox pane click on Selection Packages cue.
  3. Once in the Lot Selection Packages page, click Edit List, create a new record and set the date.
  4. Click Choices and select Populate. The system will scan all model items and categories tied to the model items.
  5. Click Share > Open in Excel to download this structural map. This will serve as your data source, as the basis for color chart selection.
  6. Delete the lines from this temporary lot package after downloading so the lot remains clean.

 

Creating and Importing the Package via Configuration Packages

HomeBuilder uses Configuration Packages to quickly import your predefined choices into the database.

Prepare the Excel Template

  1. Open Configuration Packages in Business Central.
  2. Use or create a package containing Table 70526289 (Package Header) and Table 70526292 (Package Line).
  3. Click Export to Excel to get an Excel file to use as a template.
  4. Open the template and populate your package structures using data from your base model map:

    Package Code: Define unique identifiers (e.g., DEFAULT for base options or FLR-UP1 for flooring upgrade level 1).

     Line Numbers: Assign chronological lines (1,2,3...) foreach distinct package bundle.

    House Area Code: Copy these columns directly from your base model map.

    Category Code: Copy these columns directly from your base model map.

    Item Numbers (Optional): If a package enforces a mandatory standard item (like a baseline carpet or a specific upgrade tile), enter the item number directly in the sheet. Leave it blank if you want the sales agent to choose the color/variant later.

Import to Business Central

  1. Back in the Configuration Packages page, click Import from Excel and choose your saved sheet.
  2. Click Apply Package to write the records into HomeBuilder.
  3. Review any errors. If a warning flags a legacy or modified category code, resolve the code conflict or manually modify the record inside Business Central.

 

Managing Pre-defined Packages

Once imported, you can find, refine, and copy your packages inside the system.

  1. Use the search icon at the top right of the menu and search for Predefined Packages.
  2. Select the package code you want to edit to view its lines.
  3. Update specific records or manage exceptions:

    Set standard items: Use F8 to quickly copy down repeating item numbers across similar house areas.

    Remove unnecessary choices: If you do not want a specific room to require a choice under a package (e.g., omitting the kitchen island from a base package), select the lines and click Delete.

TIP

To create Upgrade Level 2, 3, or 4 packages, choose an existing package and use the Copy to New function at the top of the page rather than re-importing an Excel sheet. 

 

Assigning Packages to Models

Before a package can be used on a job site, it must be linked to a specific phase and house design.

  1. Open your Models list page and select your target design (e.g., Phase 1 – Daisy model).
  2. Go to Related > Pre-defined Packages on the selected model or from the model card.
  3. Add the valid package codes (e.g., add both DEFAULT and FLR-UP1) to the model lines. This authorizes these specific bundles for use on any lot running this design.

Applying Packages to a Lot Selection

When a home buyer is ready to make design choices, apply your prepared packages directly to their lot card.

  1. Navigate to the specific Lot (e.g., Lot 22) and open the Choices screen.
  2. Instead of clicking Populate, click Add Pre-defined.
  3. Select your base package (e.g., DEFAULT) and confirm. The system populates the pre-determined items and baseline categories instantly.
  4. To layer upgrades, click Add Pre-defined again and select your upgrade package (e.g., FLR-UP1).

Note

HomeBuilder will merge the upgrade items into the existing list. It automatically keeps the layout sorted by House Area Code then Category, instantly adding any associated dependencies (like matching trim or quarter-round items) while flagging missing entries (such as a mandatory color variant choice) with a red asterisk. 

 

Cleaning Up Lot Reference Numbers

Applying multiple distinct packages sequentially can cause the underlying system reference numbers to become out of order. Before printing selection documents for a customer or locking in a contract, update the line indexing:

  1. On the lot choices screen, click Actions.
  2. Select Renumber Reference No.
  3. The system will cleanly re-index the list sequentially based on House Area and Category, preparing your selection documents for client sign-off.