---
bc-version: [all]
domain: finance
keywords: [force-doc-balance, gen-journal-template, gen-jnl-post-batch, runwithcheck, document-no, posting-date, balancing]
technologies: [al]
countries: [w1]
application-area: [all]
---

# Preserve the journal batch's document-balancing policy

## Description

A balanced G/L total does not prove that a general-journal batch satisfies its template's document-balancing policy. `"Gen. Jnl.-Post Batch"` checks balances at posting-date boundaries and, when the **journal template's** `Force Doc. Balance` is enabled, document-type/document-number boundaries. A loop over `"Gen. Jnl.-Post Line".RunWithCheck` does not reproduce these batch-level checks.

## Best Practice

Post normal persisted general-journal batches through their owning batch workflow. Keep balancing lines in the appropriate document/date group when the template requires it. The examples use two LCY G/L lines: opposite amounts under different document numbers are not a document-balanced transfer when `Force Doc. Balance` is true; the good example groups them under one document and retains the batch checks.

Do not claim every document must always balance: when that template option is false, the supported workflow can allow document imbalance while still checking the required aggregate balances. Standalone self-balancing line posting and purpose-built posting engines that demonstrably own equivalent aggregate policies are not prohibited. A `RunWithCheck` call or loop alone is not sufficient evidence of a defect.

See sample: [`preserve-journal-batch-document-balance.good.al`](preserve-journal-batch-document-balance.good.al).

## Anti Pattern

Replace a normal persisted journal batch's posting path with per-line posting or only an aggregate-total check, bypassing a demonstrated template/document/date policy. For the document-imbalance finding, require evidence that `Force Doc. Balance` applies and that separate document groups can be unbalanced; do not infer the setting from its name or a comment alone.

See sample: [`preserve-journal-batch-document-balance.bad.al`](preserve-journal-batch-document-balance.bad.al).

## References

- [Work with general journals](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/dynamics365/business-central/ui-work-general-journals).
- [Gen. Jnl.-Post Batch API](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/dynamics365/business-central/application/base-application/codeunit/microsoft.finance.generalledger.posting.gen.-jnl.-post-batch).
- [BCApps: batch balance checks](https://github.com/microsoft/BCApps/blob/8f7a04cb0db8aa96cb97e055c45c61aead49e280/src/Layers/W1/BaseApp/Finance/GeneralLedger/Posting/GenJnlPostBatch.Codeunit.al).
- [BCApps: document-balance option regression cases](https://github.com/microsoft/BCApps/blob/8f7a04cb0db8aa96cb97e055c45c61aead49e280/src/Layers/W1/Tests/General%20Journal/ERMTestMultipleGenJnlLines.Codeunit.al).