bcquality/microsoft/knowledge/data-modeling/setup-table-is-a-singleton.md
Jesper Schulz-Wedde 2b5550c346
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Improve partner onboarding and documentation navigation (#174)
Lead with a complete plugin quick start and add task-oriented usage, troubleshooting, customization, and contribution guides. Preserve the broader plugin framing, correct conflicting contract guidance, support Agents folder reviews, and align repository validation. Convert existing sample references to clickable links without changing knowledge rules.

Co-authored-by: Jesper Schulz-Wedde <jesper.schulzwedde@microsoft.com>
Co-authored-by: Copilot App <223556219+Copilot@users.noreply.github.com>
2026-09-09 17:31:03 +02:00

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---
bc-version: [all]
domain: data-modeling
keywords: [setup-table, insertallowed, deleteallowed, getrecordonce, primary-key, card-page]
technologies: [al]
countries: [w1]
application-area: [all]
---
# A setup table is a singleton: one blank-keyed row, no insert or delete
## Description
An application-area setup table (`Sales & Receivables Setup`, `Inventory Setup`, and any custom `* Setup`) holds exactly one record per company. Its primary key is a single `Code[10]` field named `Primary Key`, and the row's value is left blank. Nothing else identifies the row — there is only ever one.
The setup **card** page enforces the singleton: `InsertAllowed = false` and `DeleteAllowed = false` stop a second row or an empty table, and the page guarantees the row exists on first open — typically `OnOpenPage` with `if not Rec.Get() then begin Rec.Init(); Rec.Insert(); end;`, or a `GetRecordOnce` helper on the table. Consuming code then reads it with a plain `Get()`. The read side needs no access optimization — see `singleton-setup-tables-need-no-access-optimization.md`.
## Best Practice
`Primary Key` `Code[10]` is the sole key; the setup is surfaced through a Card page with `InsertAllowed = false`, `DeleteAllowed = false`, and an open-time guard that inserts the blank row if it is missing.
See sample: [`setup-table-is-a-singleton.good.al`](setup-table-is-a-singleton.good.al).
## Anti Pattern
An `Integer` / `AutoIncrement` key, a page that allows insert or delete, or a List page over the setup table. Any of these lets the table hold zero or many rows, so "the setup" becomes ambiguous and `Get()` may fail or read the wrong record.
See sample: [`setup-table-is-a-singleton.bad.al`](setup-table-is-a-singleton.bad.al).