Here is an example for Dynamics GP users that want to create an Excel Report that is similar to one of the existing SmartList favorites but who also want the option of selecting from all the available data fields (columns within SmartList) when choosing the data to display.
One of my clients has a lengthy list of Sales Transaction favorites similar to the example in Figure 1. The sales manager wants to know how he can create an Excel Report that will display the same information as the favorite called Open Orders by SalesPerson
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Figure 1
The client in question has already deployed Excel Reports and Data Connections in their environment, by following the steps outlined by Clinton from DynamicsCare, so the key step for our sales manager is choosing the right data connection as a starting point for his new Excel Report. His first instinct had been to navigate to the deployed Excel Reports but from those he will not be able to access all the available fields. Likewise, not all data connections will provide the full list of all available fields. In this case the sales manager should navigate to the existing repository of shared data connections shown in Figure 2 and choose “TWO SalesTransactions.odc”
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Figure 2
There are multiple .odc files whose names begin with “TWO SalesTransactions…” but the sales manager should pick the connection whose name matches the SmartList folder that holds the Favorite that he wants to replicate and open it. Besides “TWO SalesTransactions.odc” there are two other options that are similarly named and could be investigated if our first choice doesn’t have the exact combination of fields required but usually there is only one choice. The .odc file will open as a new Excel workbook with all available data fields included. Figure 3 displays the SalesPerson column that was part of the SmartList favorite that we set out to duplicate.
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Figure 3
The sales manager can now save this Excel Report with a meaningful moniker, store it where required, and edit it as needed. The end result should be an Excel Report that is similar to the SmartList favorite that he set out to replicate.
Sheldon, ERP Consultant for Etelligent Solutions
