Did you know you can duplicate a layout in Report Writer just by making a package of the original report, modifying it in Notepad, and then re-importing the package as a new report? This takes a mere minute compared to having to start from scratch and possibly taking two hours to duplicate all the work you may have done previously.
Let me explain. Let’s say you want the SAME format for your “SOP historical Blank Form invoice” that you do for your ‘SOP Blank form Invoice” in Microsoft Dynamics GP. In the ‘old days’ you would have to start making your changes from scratch, but now you can try this ’shortcut’.
Make a ‘package’ file by going to Tools > Customize > Customization Maintenance and select your first ‘modified report’ to EXPORT.
Then take that ‘package file’ that you create and open it with NOTEPAD. Then just change the line that says the name of your original file and change it to have the report name you want to modify next. See my example below where I’ve modifed the “SOP Blank Invoice Form” to replace the “SOP Blank History Invoice Form”.
- Modify first two lines in notepad to match new report.
Once you save the notepad changes, go back to Tools > Customize > Customization Maintenance & import the package file as the “NEW Report”.
Then set security for the new report and you will have duplicated the report with minimal effort!
I included this helpful “Trick” in one of our past customer webinars last fall. Perhaps we’ll repeat it again this fall!
Now, go save some time and effort and make all your reports pretty with just a few keystrokes!
Filed under: ERP Software, Microsoft Dynamics GP (Great Plains) Software, Tips for All customers | Tagged: Microsoft Dynamics GP, Report Writer, Tips and Tricks
