How can i add a field to reports templates in Report Writer?

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I'm wanting to edit the "Blank Invoice Form" and "Blank Invoice Forms"

Mainly, I want to delete the Customer ID field, and replace it with Customer Name. Is this possible and if so, how can i go about doing this?

Also, there are a few other fields I want to delete such as shipping method, salesperson id, req ship date, discount, and etc... this should "break anything", right?

Thanks for your help, as you can see i'm new to report writer!

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Lyn Barr 1 on at

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Hi, Kimberly,

This isn't too hard to do, but there are a lot of steps, depending on how you're using the forms (standard or template) and whether they're already modified. Following are general instructions, which may not be enough if you're brand-new to this.

Step 1 is to make any modifications you would like to the standard report, using Report Writer. The changes you describe are pretty easy, and shouldn't break anything. You can sometimes break a report writer form, by deleting necessary fields, so you may just want to change them to "invisible." However, these specific changes should be fine, if you just want to delete those few fields you mention.

Step 2, if you're not already using a modified version of the form, is to grant security to it. That would be under Microsoft Dynamics GP >> Tools >> Setup >> System >> Alternate/Modified Forms & Reports.

If you are not using Word Templates, then that is all you need to do.

If you ARE using Word Templates, then Step 3 is to create or update a Template. First you would want to print the STANDARD form to an xml file, so that you can update the field source in the template. Then, you can drag & drop fields, as needed. The Templates have a few rules, such as that you can only have one field per cell (these templates are comprised of tables). Also, the fields you add must match the table location where they display on the Standard report.

When you have the Template the way you want it, save it somewhere easy such as your desktop. Then, you must re-import that updated template. If you hadn't used templates previously, you may also need to assign the template to the company and/or to selected customers.

Hopefully, this will get you started. See how far you get, and post back if you have specific questions.

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Thank you for your help Lyn, it's very appreciated.

Now that I've added these fields, I'm trying change their size, alignment, and make everything fit appropriately. Is there any pointers you have for me to help with this? and Moving grid lines?

Thanks again,

Kimberly

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Lyn Barr 1 on at

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In the template, or in Report Writer?

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Community Member on at

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Sorry, Report Writer

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Lyn Barr 1 on at

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In Report Writer (RW), once the report is open, you can use the "Arrange" tab of the Toolbox to line fields up. Simply highlight the fields you want to align, and then click the desired button in the Toolbox.

The Arrange tab has icons to help you align left/right/top/bottom, and also to resize height/width, and even to tile the selected fields.

Here's my favorite RW shortcut: If you want to set them all with the same font & other display settings, select a field that has the desired settings (must select that one first), then select all the other fields. Press CTRL+D, and once the window opens, just press [Enter]. All the fields will now have the same settings as the first field.

If none of the fields have the desired settings, just take the time to make the necessary changes in the Drawing Options window, prior to pressing [Enter].

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Love the pointers Lyn! Very useful. I've got one more question for you. Say you have a heading (forgive me for my incorrect lingo) such as customer name. The words aren't sitting at the right height in their box. Where is the setting to modify this? I've attached a screen shot since I've done such a terrible job explaining my problem!

Thanks :)

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Also, I have some rather long comments in my report footer. Sometimes they are getting cut off due to length. Is there a setting where i can change this? Same thing for my item descriptions.

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Lyn Barr 1 on at

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I'm actually not quite sure on that one, however, I suspect that this is a case where it looks it bit strange in Report Writer, but when you actually print the form it will look just fine.

Give that a try and see how the actual printed document looks.

Be sure that you've granted permission to the modified form, so that you'll be sure to see your version of the form. To do that, go to Microsoft Dynamics GP >> Tools >> Setup >> System >> Alternate/Modified Forms & Reports. There is usually just one ID, called DEFAULTUSER. Set the "type" to Reports, and then expand Sales >> SOP Blank Invoice Form, and then select the modified version of the form.

If the fields turn out to be top-aligned in the actual printout, it might be because of the specific font you are using. I am not aware of any settings that control vertical alignment inside of fields, in Report Writer.

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Thank you for all of your help. I might reach out some more if i'm not talking your ear off!

Thanks again!

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I'm back again. So i took your advise and went in to check permissions for my new form. After going in, and selecting sales >>invoice(working off of a copy i made of the blank invoice form), i wasn't able to see my edited form. However, i did see the form under customization maintenance in GP...

I guess now i just need to figure out how to add the new form as an option in GP? That way i can use it?

Any suggestions?

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