Modifying Word Templates & RW Reports - More Questions

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Hi Everyone,

I have a Modified Report in Report Writer that I'm using for invoices - SOP Blank Invoice Form. When i print my invoices this is the form that prints out and to the screen. However, when i try to send emails, it sends the a word template - SOP Blank Invoice Form Template .

I've learned how to modify templates, but i'm worried about the fact that they have different names - is this going to be an issue when i try to import my template back in to GP?

Also, when i go in to alternative/modified reports, it only gives me the choice to use the original or modified version (I'm assuming in Report Writer) - nothing about templates shows up.

So needless to say i'm confused and i was hoping to get some clarification about how to use both Report Writer and Templates simultaneously in GP. Or, can i just email the Report Writer modified report through email and not worry about word templates all together?

Thanks for your help.

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serbach 571 on at

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Kimberly,

So needless to say i'm confused

You are not alone, believe me! The link between Report Writer report designs and Word templates is not clear-cut... and the documentation assumes that everything works dandy.

I don't know about the availability of webinars in this community; but if your company is a GPUG member, there's a webinar given by Mark Wiley that provides a detailed explanation of the inner workings of using Word templates here. Again, you'll need to be a GPUG member to see it.

i'm worried about the fact that they have different names - is this going to be an issue when i try to import my template back in to GP?

In a word, no. Once you've saved the Word template, all GP cares about is where it is an what's it called. The template is stored in the GP database somewhere... it isn't stored as a separate file at all. You could save your modified Word template in any folder at all; and as long as you remember where you put it, GP will simple take what you've got and absorb it into the database.

Also, when i go in to alternative/modified reports, it only gives me the choice to use the original or modified version (I'm assuming in Report Writer) - nothing about templates shows up.

That's because Word templates are managed in a separate place: Administration >> Reports >> Template Maintenance. That's where you went to select the template you wanted to modify or to create a new one. You're OK.

Sincerely,

Steve Erbach
WOW Logistics Company
Appleton, WI

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Becky Berginski on at

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Thank you for using Community Forums. My name is Becky and I will assist you.

In order to email you SOP Blank Invoice form from the Sales Transaction Entry window you will need to setup a template. Only templates can be emailed.

E-mail setup-There are a lot of great resources other than the manual that will walk you through the setup. Here is one of them:

blog.ignify.com/.../microsoft-dynamics-gp-2010-word-templates-and-e-mail-capabilities

Another Blog:

www.virtualsails.net/.../Creating-Modified-Word-Template-Reports-for-Dynamics-GP.aspx

If you have any questions please let me know.

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Bill Campbell 12 on at

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Becky the one link is useful in confirming the base configuration for the installation.

However, I am still left with the challenge of where to save the TEMPLATE that I have changed. Once I make the changes, using the tools your link points to, is great.

Last link is broken by the way.

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serbach 571 on at

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Bill,

However, I am still left with the challenge of where to save the TEMPLATE that I have changed.

Since the template is a garden-variety Word template document (XML-based), you may save it wherever you wish on your network. It's just a file. The location only matters when you want to store it in the GP database.

The key points are that in GP's "Report Template Maintenance" window:

You've selected the Report Name and you see the existing template name in the list (it has an asterisk next to its name... this template cannot be changed, only copied)

Click on New

Click the "From Existing Template" radio button

Select the existing asterisked template name

Change the name if you wish in the "New Template Name" box

Click Create

The existing, default GP Word template is copied from its location in the GP database and converted to a regular file (an XML-based template file with the name you gave it) that Word can work with

Select the new Template Name from the now-expanded list

Click the Modify button

Word opens

Edit the template to your liking

When it comes time to save the template, you are actually saving it to the file system in a folder of your choosing. It hasn't been absorbed into GP yet at this point. Save it anywhere you like with whatever name you like. Just remember where you put it!

Once you close Word, you'll be returned to the Report Template Maintenance window.

Let's assume that you saved your template with a new name, "XYZ".

Click the green "+" symbol (I'm in GP 2013 R2... I don't know that the "+" symbol is green in GP 2010... it should be next to "Available templates for the selected report")

Now the "Add template..." dialog box opens. This is the same thing as a regular "File-Open" dialog box in any Windows app. Locate the "XYZ" Word file you just saved, select it, and click the Open button.

You will now see your "XYZ" template in the list of Template Names. This means that GP has stored the XML content of your Word template into the GP database (I've forgetten which table it is). That's the answer to your "challenge"!

You still need to Assign your template to your Company or Companies as the Default template... or you can Assign it to individual Customers, Customer Classes, or any number of Customers.

It's entirely possible for you to create several Word templates from the same GP-supplied original that you then assign to different Companies or Customers.

Does this help?

Sincerely,

Steve Erbach
WOW Logistics
Appleton, WI

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Community Member on at

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Steve,

Your posts went above and beyond. Thank you so much for the level of detail and answered questions. You'll really helped dismiss the confusion!

Thanks,

Kimberly

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serbach 571 on at

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Kimberly,

You're very welcome. That's very kind of you.

Sincerely,

Steve Erbach

WOW Logistics

Appleton, WI

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Bill Campbell 12 on at

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Steve, that is truly a great answer - clear - well instructed and takes all the guessing out of the process.

Much thanks for removing the 'challenge' from the process. It was the 're-import' of the XML that I was missing.

Cheers

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serbach 571 on at

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Bill,

Excellent. Believe me, I've gone round and round with templates and Report Writer in general. Our company authorized a half-day teleconference with the amazing Leslie Vail who laid it all out for me. But it took Mark Wiley's Word template session at the GPUG Summit last October in Reno to fill in the last gaps in my understanding.

It ain't simple... but there is a consistent path to follow to make Word templates work.

Sincerely,

Steve Erbach
WOW Logistics
Appleton, WI

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