8517: Report Writer in Microsoft Dynamics GP 9.0 (2 Days)
About this Course
The two-day Microsoft Dynamics GP course on Report Writer helps prepare students to set up and begin to use Report Writer. It focuses on the different ways to configure the application in a networked environment. It focuses on how Report Writer can be used to customize reports to best meet your needs. You learn how to modify existing reports or create custom reports to maximize the information you receive from the accounting system. Students completing this course should have a good basic understanding of Report Writer functionality and capabilities. Financial statements are not formatted using Report Writer and are not covered in this course.
Audience Profile
Microsoft Dynamics GP Report Writer training is recommended for people who plan to implement, configure, consult, or support Microsoft Dynamics GP and want to modify existing reports or create their own custom reports using Report Writer. The class is targeted toward application administrators, implementers, and end-users of the Report Writer application who need to understand the technical aspects of Report Writer and gain foundational knowledge of the application functionality and capabilities.
Prerequisites
Before attending this course, students should have:
- Some working knowledge of Windows 2000 or Windows XP, SQL Server 2000
- Basic understanding of Microsoft Dynamics GP modules and database storage techniques
At Course Completion
After completing this course, students should be able to:
- Determine the setup configuration they want to use for Report Writer
- Identify where modified reports are stored and how to limit access to certain reports using Microsoft Dynamics GP security
- Create user-defined sorts and restrictions so information appears in the order desired, and only the information you want appears on a report
- Understand general report layout functionality
- Place text, report fields, graphics, and other items on a report layout
- Modify existing reports to better fit their reporting needs
- Design custom reports to access important application data
- Identify the sections of a report and how to add additional headers & footers
- Link tables together so reports can be developed using multiple data tables
- Create user defined links for related tables that have common keys
- Create user-defined fields by using calculated and conditional expressions
- Understand how Field Options can be used to generate needed information
- Import reports between report dictionaries using the Customization Maintenance window functionality
Course Outline
Module 1: Report Writer Overview
This chapter gives students a general overview of the Report Writer application and provides information on some of the different Report Writer configurations that can be implemented by users of the application. Individual report security is discussed and demonstrated, and the different types of reports are discussed and defined. The terminology used throughout the class is defined in this chapter. Students should complete the exercises available for this chapter after the discussion of the topics is complete to reinforce learning on the topics covered.
Lessons
- Report Writer Features & Benefits
- Using the Reports Dictionary
- Configuring/Setting up Report Writer
- Using the Report Writer Main Window
- Defining Report Types
- Security
Lab : Creating Secondary Copies of Reports
Lab : Creating Primary Copies of Reports
Lab : Button Functions
Lab : Temporary Tables Effects on Reports
Lab : Granting Access & Printing Primary Copies
Lab : Working with Secondary Copies
After completing this chapter, students will be able to:
- Briefly describe the features and functionality available in Report Writer
- Describe the advantages and disadvantages of the different setup configurations available for Report Writer
- Understand basic terminology that will be used when using Report Writer
- Identify the different types of reports that exist in Microsoft Dynamics GP and Report Writer
- Restrict access to individual reports using the security options available in Microsoft Dynamics GP
- Understand available printing and format options when generating reports in Microsoft Dynamics and Report Writer
Module 2: Report Definition Window, Sorting, & Restricting
This chapter focuses on the Report Definition window and the functionality that can be selected on it. It also focuses on using sorts, which can be pre-defined or user-defined on any particular report. The chapter also examines the use of restrictions to reduce the amount of data that otherwise may appear on a report allowing users to focus their attention on the data they deem important. Exercises at the end of the chapter should be completed by students to reinforce learning on the topics in Chapter Two.
Lessons
- Table Information Options/Report Definition Window
- Keys, and Max Records
- Format Options
- Text Report Options
- Printing Options
- Using Sorts
- Using Restrictions
- Writing Restriction Expressions
Lab : Creating a User-defined Sort on a Report
Lab : Multiple Sorting Fields/Keys
Lab : Other Sorting Options
Lab : Creating Restrictions
Lab : Using Table Fields in Restriction Expressions
Lab : Using Constants in Restriction Expressions
Lab : Using Operators in Restriction Expressions
Lab : Constant Types and Field Storage
Lab : Writing Restriction Expressions
Lab : Secondary Copy Restrictions
After completing this chapter, students will be able to:
- Use the Report Definition window to influence how a report is printed
- Change the sort on a report from existing sorts or keys
- Create user-defined sorts from any linked table so data appears in the order preferred
- Enter restriction expressions to limit data that appears on a report
- Understand how to use constants, functions, and operators in restriction expressions
- Define the different constant types and how each is used for different table fields in Microsoft Dynamics
Module 3: Report Layout Window, Columns & Graphics
This chapter examines the many different options, functionalities, and tools that can be used to design or modify reports in Report Writer. Discussion and demonstration of features and options using the toolbox highlight most of the time spent on this chapter. Some of the features and options that are covered include placing a field on the layout, adding text or a label to a report, resizing text or fields, placing the date and time on a report, adding graphics or logos, using the divider tool to create columns on a report, using the arrange and tile tools, and many more.
There is also discussion on the different sections of a report, and what they typically contain in Report Writer. Each section is discussed, and time is spent on how users can include or exclude different sections of a report. The exercises at the end of the chapter should be completed by students to reinforce learning.
Lessons
- The Report Layout window
- Report Sections
- Using the Toolbox window
- Placing Fields in the Layout
- Adding Text or Labels to Reports
- Moving and Sizing fields
- Drawing Options
- Using Arrange & Tile Tools
- Using the Divider Tool
- Adding & Storing Graphics
- Designing a Report Layout
- Placing Table Fields & Text on Reports
- Drawing Options/Fonts
- Properties window
- Adding Graphics to the Picture Library
- Adding a Graphic to a Report
- Using the Divider Tool
After completing this chapter, students will be able to:
- Identify the different sections on a report layout
- Understand the different options available on text and graphics reports
- Use the Layout and Arrange tools when designing reports
- Place and move table fields, text, and other items on a report layout
- Size fields, text, and graphics on reports
- Apply different fonts, colors, and patterns to fields using the Drawing Options window
- Use the divider tool to create report columns on reports
- Add and store graphics such as a logo for use on reports
Module 4: Linking Tables & Additional Headers and Footers
This chapter demonstrates how tables can be linked together so that reports will be able to pull data from multiple tables. There is discussion of linking rules and the two different types of links; one-to-one and one-to-many, that can be used when linking tables.
In addition to linking, the chapter also focuses on how additional headers and footers can be created as necessary on reports. The effects of sorts on additional headers is highlighted, and the exercises at the end of the section demonstrate how these report additions can be used to design sleek and informational reports to stakeholders in your company.
Lessons
- Linking Methods
- Types of Linking
- Linking Tables
- Additional Headers
- Sorting & Additional Headers
- Additional Footers
- Additional Header & Footer Options
Lab : Linking Tables to a Primary Table
Lab : Different Types of Links
Lab : Keys and Links
Lab : Table Relationships
Lab : Creating Additional Headers
Lab : Creating Additional Footers
Lab : Using Count Field Options
Lab : Modifying Field Fonts & Sizes
Lab : Sizing Report Section
Lab : Using Additional Headers & Footers on Existing Reports
Lab : Sorts and Additional Headers
Lab : Arranging Information on a Report
Lab : Sizing Report Sections
Lab : Day One Case Study
(Appendix B)
- Creating Custom Reports
- Creating a User-defined Sort on a Report
- Multiple Sorting Fields/Keys
- Other Sorting Options
- Creating Restrictions
- Designing a Report Layout
- Placing Table Fields & Text on Reports
- Drawing Options/Fonts
- Adding Graphics to the Picture Library
- Adding a Graphic to a Report
- Linking Tables
- Creating Additional Headers
- Creating Additional Footers
- Sizing Report Sections
After completing this chapter, students will be able to:
- Identify the different methods that can be used to link tables
- Link tables using the Report Table Relationships window
- Understand the different types of table links and the table relationships for each type
- Describe the limits on linking tables in Report Writer
- Remove table links from a report
- Understand how additional headers and footers are used in Report Writer
- Explain how sorts influence the use of additional headers and footers
Module 5: Array Fields, Field Options & Calculated Fields
This chapter examines how array fields are used in Microsoft Dynamics GP and how they are uniquely stored and treated in Report Writer. Time is spent discussing the different field options that are available for fields that are placed on the report layout.
The creation of user-defined fields is discussed. Conditional and calculated expressions are demonstrated and examples given on how they can be used on reports. The concatenate functionality is discussed and is the focus of one of the exercises that is available at the end of the chapter that students should complete after the lecture on this chapter is finished.
Lessons
- Array Fields
- Adding Array fields to the Report Layout
- Field Options
- Field Types
- User-defined Calculated Fields
- Writing Calculated Expressions
- Writing Conditional Expressions
- Result Types
- Using Fields Constants & Functions in Expressions
- Concatenation
Lab : Adding Array Fields to a Report Layout
Lab : Array Field Calculations
Lab : Linking Tables
Lab : Defining Report Sections
Lab : Creating Additional Headers
Lab : Creating Additional Footers
Lab : Setting Field Options
Lab : Report Design
Lab : Concatenate Operator
Lab : Strip Function
Lab : Report Design
Lab : Creating Calculated Fields
Lab : Report Design
Lab : Conditional Calculated Fields
Lab : Calculated Fields
Lab : Creating Additional Headers
Lab : Creating Additional Footers
Lab : Using Field Options
Lab : Format, Text, & Printing Options
After completing this chapter, students will be able to:
- Work with array fields
- Create user-defined calculated fields
- Understand the difference between calculated and conditional expressions
- Place calculated fields onto reports
- Understand how to use the concatenate functionality in Report Writer
- Identify available field options for report fields
Module 6: Planning a Report
This chapter examines the process of planning a new custom report in Report Writer. The discussion is centered on the recommended steps to go through to first determine if there is an existing report that could be used and slightly modified or if indeed we need a new custom report. In addition, the chapter spends some time discussing how and where data resides in Microsoft Dynamics GP and how Report Writer can be used to access the necessary information needed for a report. There is a case study that students will complete to reinforce the planning process.
Lessons
- Determining Report Needs
- Reviewing Existing Dynamics Reports
- Planning the Report Layout
- Determining where Information Exists
- Using Table, Field & Window Descriptions
Lab : Planning a Report
Lab : Steps of Planning
Lab : Creating Custom Reports
Lab : Creating a User-defined Sort on a Report
Lab : Creating Sorts
Lab : Creating Restrictions
Lab : Designing a Report Layout
Lab : Drawing Options/Fonts
Lab : Using the Divider Tool
Lab : Adding Graphics
Lab : Linking Tables
Lab : Creating Additional Headers & Footers
Lab : Sizing Report Sections
Lab : Using Calculated Fields
After completing this chapter, students will be able to:
- Understand the basic concepts of planning a report
- Determine the needs for a report
- Plan a report layout for basic reports
- Use Table, Field, and Window Descriptions to determine what tables are needed for a report and should be linked
- Plan the use of sorts, restrictions, calculated fields and grouping
Module 7: Defining Table Relationships
This chapter explains the process and steps to create a new table relationship. The chapter delves into the components and requirements of creating a new table relationship. There is also a discussion on keys that are used to link tables together and how they can affect the type of link that is created.
There is a short discussion on one-to-one and one-to-many relationships and the benefits of trying to create one-to-one relationships if possible.
Lessons
- Table Relationship Components & Requirements
- Defining Relationships
- Selecting Keys/Sorts
Lab : Using Table, Field, & Window Descriptions
Lab : Creating a Table Relationship/Relationship Types
Lab : Report Design
After completing this chapter, students will be able to:
- Understand table relationship requirements
- Create new table relationships
Module 8: Data Types, Formats & Strings
This chapter examines the use of Data Types, Formats, and Strings in Microsoft Dynamics GP. Most changes to these items will generally not be made without Microsoft Dynamics GP Modifier, as changing this in Report Writer only affects reporting and how the information is displayed on reports. It will not change fields within the application.
Lessons
- Data Types & Formats
- Modifying Data Types
- Changing Formats
- Customizing Strings
Lab : Modifying Format Strings
Lab : Assigning Field Formats
Lab : Creating New Formats
Lab : Changing Static Text Values
Lab : Effects on Changing Static Text
Lab : Modifying Format Strings
Lab : Resources Menu
After completing this chapter, students will be able to:
- Modify a Data Type
- Change Existing Formats
- Customize Strings
Module 9: Report Scheduler
This chapter shows how the Report Scheduler can be used to automate the report printing process. The chapter covers the necessary setup requirements, the printing routine, and the process to remove reports from the scheduled printing routine.
Lessons
- Setting up Report Scheduler
- Scheduling Reports
- Managing the Printing Process
Lab : Adding a Report to a Schedule
Lab : Creating a New Publisher and Assigning Publishing Rights
Lab : Removing Reports from the Schedule
After completing this chapter, students will be able to:
- Understand the necessary steps to set up Report Scheduler
- Explain the benefits to using Report Scheduler
- Use Report Scheduler to publish and print reports
- Remove reports from the "to publish" list
Module 10: Customization Import and Export Capabilities
In this chapter, the Customization Maintenance window and process is discussed and demonstrated so that users can freely share and use modified reports. There is also some discussion of the reports dictionary files and how they are managed. The chapter also focuses some time on the older Import/Export options available and how they were used, especially in the conversion process, including a discussion of the validation process. At the end of this lesson, students will complete case studies to reinforce what they have learned in the course.
Lessons
- Customization Maintenance
- Importing Reports
- Validating Reports
- Troubleshooting the Import/Export Process
Lab : Creating Custom Reports
Lab : Creating a User-defined Sort on a Report
Lab : Creating Sorts
Lab : Creating Restrictions
Lab : Designing a Report Layout
Lab : Drawing Options/Fonts
Lab : Using the Divider Tool
Lab : Adding Graphics
Lab : Linking Tables
Lab : Creating Additional Headers & Footers
Lab : Sizing Report Sections
Lab : Using Calculated Fields
Lab : Creating Table Relationships
Lab : Changing Field Formats
Lab : Modifying Reports
Lab : Modifying a Report Layout
Lab : Create a Calculated Field
Lab : Modifying the Dynamics.set file
Lab : Importing/exporting reports
After completing this chapter, students will be able to:
- Use the Customization Maintenance window to create package files that contain report layouts and formats to share with other users
- Understand the import/export functionality within Report Writer
- Validate imported reports
- Troubleshoot import/export messages