Tips and Tricks for Working with Reports and - DSD Business Systems

Tips and Tricks for Working with Reportsand Forms in Business Framework Modules

Forms Codes = Report Settings• Stores data (settings) about the Form Printing orReport window.• Printer selection.• Selections on Main Tab, Options.• SY_REPORTSETTING.M4T• ‘Standard’ settings only save printer settings.• Question:• If the form code saves the printer selection what happens whenanother user uses that Form Code or report?

Form Codes VS Report Settings• Behavior differences in Forms and Reports.• Forms will follow the users even to another workstation. Once auser prints to a Form Code that will be the Form Code they will seethe next time they open that form printing window.• SY_LASTFORMUSED• Reports default to the ‘Standard’ report setting unless the userdesignates the Report Setting as their ‘Default’.• A report setting can only have ONE default user.

Templates• When a new Form Code is created you have to choose a“Template”. The template selection assigns the type of CrystalReport form that form code will open.• Preprinted - SO_SalesOrder1.rpt• Plain - SO_SalesOrder2.rpt• Marbled - SO_SalesOrder3.rpt• Dot Matrix - SO_SalesOrder4.rpt• Some Reports have multiple Templates.• Template selection is done automatically based on selections in the‘Options’ section of the Report printing window.• Select ‘Print Condensed’ for portrait template - GL_DetailReportCondensed.rpt• If print condensed is not selected - GL_DetailReport.rpt

Where are these Forms / Reports coming from?• If a Custom Crystal Report has not been created all forms andreports come from the mas90\reports directory.• If the Designer button is selected in Form Printing or if the‘Designer’ selection is chosen from the ‘Save’ drop down inReport Printing, a new .rpt file is created in themas90\mas_xxx\reports\[form Printing Name]\[from code name]• Example: MAS90\MAS_ABC\Reports\GL_CHARTOFACCOUNTS\myChartAccounts• If set up in Report Manager a custom report can be made thedefault for all form codes from all companies. Those .rpt files arefound in mas90\mas_system\reports\[form Printing Name]\[fromcode name]

Crystal Work Files• Crystal work files no longer hold data.• A Temporary work file is created with a session number that isaliased in the Crystal report.• A system interuption will no longer leave data in the temp file andpossibly affect future print jobs. However, these files will stay in thesystem.• How to see data when modifying a Form.• Preview the report or form, rename the original work file to from*.M4T to *.original.• Remove the session data from the temp filename.

Fields can be added directly to Work Files• Using Customizer fields can be added directly to the CrystalWork files.• In most case you will no longer need to add additional tables to thereport or Form.• Eliminates need to create links and/or sub-reports for consistentdata.• Customizer UDF field/Table Maintenance.• Select the work table.• Create the Business Object UDF.• Update• If the added field does not appear in the report, refresh thedatabase.

One Report to Rule them ‘all’• One custom Crystal Report can be created that allunassociated Form Codes or Reports will point to.• Create a Form Code in a form printing window and press thedesigner button.• In report manager select the form and click the copy button.• Select the All Forms check box and a company code toCreate a Crystal Report that all unassociated will open in aspecific company.• Select the All Forms and All Companies and the modifiedreport will become the default for all companies for that form.

Adding Custom Reports to Menu• File name must end with CUSTOM.RPT• You can have parameter fields in the report.• Tip: Place the report file in the MAS90\REPORTS directorybefore adding the report to menu in Report Manager.• Menu names in ‘Custom Reports’ can be renamed or moved inthe list using sy_menu_ui from File > Run• TIP: The title bar does not change using this utility. DFDM can beused to change the tile bar.• Copy the menuName to menuDesription field in SY_MENU.M4T• Leave menuName in clip board and copy to taskName, taskDescription and theend of Arguments in SY_TASK.M4T

Multiple Custom .RPT’s in one Form Printing Screen• It is possible to have multiple Customized Reports and still usethe all Form Codes selection by modifyingSY_REPORTMANAGERTEMPLATE.M4T in Data File Displayand Maintenance• Special Care must be observed when modifying system records inDFDM. Always make backups of the system before modifying files.

Multiple Custom .RPT’s in one Form Printing Screen• Example• Copy all four template RPT’s into theMAS90\MAS_ABC\Reports\SO_SALESORDERPRINTING directory.• Open SO_SalesOrder2.rpt in Crystal Reports and add a text field“Order” in the page header.• Open Library Master > Utilities > Data File Display and Maintenance.• Open mas_system\ SY_ReportManagerTemplate.M4T• Click the ‘Key Scan’ look up button beside the ‘Key’ textbox.• Select S/O000SALESORDERPRINTING_UI.PLAIN• Change the TemplateDescription to “Order”• Create an all forms code selection in Report Manger.• Create a new form code in Sales Order Printing and select order.

Multiple Custom .RPT’s in one Form Printing Screen• Open mas_system\ SY_ReportManagerTemplate.M4T• Click the ‘Key Scan’ look up button beside the ‘Key’ textbox.• Select S/O000SALESORDERPRINTING_UI.Preprinted Laser• Change the TemplateDescription to “Quote”• In MAS90\MAS_ABC\Reports\SO_SALESORDERPRINTINGrename SO_SalesOrder1.rpt to SO_SalesOrder1.old• Copy and paste SO_SalesOrder2.rpt and rename the copy toSO_SalesOrder1.rpt• Open SO_SalesOrder1.rpt in Crystal reports and change thetext box to ‘Quote’.• Open sales order printing and create a new form code andselect the ‘Quote’

Definitions• UI – User interface• BF – Business Framework• Standard Form Code – Form Code or Report Setting that is notuser created• Canned Report/Form – A MAS 90/200 Crystal RPT file that hasnot been modified using Crystal Designer.• Customized Report/Form - A MAS 90/200 Crystal RPT file thathas been changed by the user or reseller.• Unassociated Form Codes – Form codes that do not have acustom crystal report associated with them.