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Answered

Programming Required

Posted on by 3,482

Hi:

Why is so much programming required for modifying reports?

Is there ever going to be a "movement" away from that, so that lay people can get modifications conducted?

John

  • Suggested answer
    YUN ZHU Profile Picture
    YUN ZHU 73,333 Super User 2024 Season 2 on at
    RE: Programming Required

    Hi, Although using Power Bi or other external analysis tools can reduce the programming of the report, because the standard APIs and Web Services do not cover all functions, we sometimes need to add customization like modifying the DataItem of the report.

    Microsoft is working hard to solve this problem. in the April version last year, Microsoft released Excel Layout, which reduced a lot of RDLC development.
    More details: https://yzhums.com/23873/

    And with this wave, Microsoft has added an exciting In-client Analysis mode feature. 
    More details: Analyze, group, and pivot data on list pages using multiple tabs (In-client Analysis mode)
    https://yzhums.com/35080/

    I think each product has its own convenience and inconvenience, which requires adaptation.

    Hope this helps.

    Thanks.

    ZHU

  • Suggested answer
    Inge M. Bruvik Profile Picture
    Inge M. Bruvik 32,748 Super User 2024 Season 1 on at
    RE: Programming Required

    The way to move away from developing reports in Business Central is definitely Power BI and you also have the Word layouts and the Excel layouts that you can handle without coding.

  • Verified answer
    NAV_with_Narang Profile Picture
    NAV_with_Narang 2,234 Super User 2024 Season 1 on at
    RE: Programming Required

    Hi John - Your question is fair, building/modifying reports requires a good amount of expertise with AL. If someone is a learner, it is an uphill climb to be able to successfully code reports, that too when multiple Dataitems are involved

    Having said that, there are no plans illustrated by Microsoft to "move away" (in your language) from what is current. All objects written for BC are done via AL Code and so are reports. It's just that building/understanding/modifying reports takes you into a deeper dive in AL, what will make reports easier to comprehend/understand is how much time you've spent building/understanding them. Trust me, more than half of the topics in this forum revolve around report building and no one says it's a piece of cake

    However, if there are new reports you need building, many customers/partners now prefer connecting their BC environments to Power Bi and build reports there. Microsoft has given an alternative already, it depends upon who uses what. I know some customers using JetReports too. I'd suggest transition your reporting to Power BI slowly if BC Reports frustrate you out

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