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Epicor Advanced Financial Reporting User Guide 10.0.600
Epicor Advanced Financial Reporting User Guide 10.0.600
Financial Reporting
User Guide
Disclaimer
This document and its contents, including the viewpoints, dates and functional content expressed herein are the
proprietary copyrighted property of Epicor Software Corporation, are intended for informational purposes only and
are believed to be accurate as of its date of publication. However, Epicor Software Corporation makes no guarantee,
representations or warranties with regard to the enclosed information and specifically disclaims any applicable implied
warranties, such as fitness for a particular purpose, merchantability, satisfactory quality or reasonable skill and care.
As each user of Epicor software is likely to be unique in their requirements in the use of such software and their business
processes, users of this document are always advised to discuss the content of this document with their Epicor support
representative, account manager and/or consulting personnel. All information contained herein is subject to change
without notice and changes to this document since printing and other important information about the software
product are made or published in release notes, and you are urged to obtain the current release notes for the software
product. The usage of any Epicor software shall be pursuant to an Epicor end user license agreement and the performance
of any consulting services by Epicor personnel shall be pursuant to Epicor's services terms and conditions. Usage of the
solution(s) described in this document with other Epicor software or third party products may require the purchase of
licenses for such other products. Where any software is expressed to be compliant with applicable laws or other statutory
or regulatory requirements in this document, such compliance is not a warranty and is based solely on Epicor's current
understanding of such laws and requirements. All laws and requirements are subject to varying interpretations as well
as to change and accordingly, Epicor cannot guarantee that the software will be compliant and up to date with such
changes. All statements of platform and product compatibility in this document shall be considered individually in
relation to the products referred to in the relevant statement, i.e., where any Epicor software is stated to be compatible
with one product and also stated to be compatible with another product, it should not be interpreted that such Epicor
software is compatible with both of the products running at the same time on the same platform or environment.
Additionally platform or product compatibility may require the application of Epicor or third-party updates, patches
and/or service packs and Epicor has no responsibility for compatibility issues which may be caused by updates, patches
and/or service packs released by third parties after the date of publication of this document. Epicor, Business Inspired
and the Epicor logo are trademarks of Epicor Software Corporation, registered in the United States, certain other
countries and/or the EU. All other trademarks mentioned are the property of their respective owners. Copyright
Epicor Software Corporation 2014. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form
without the prior written consent of Epicor Software Corporation.
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Revision: May 07, 2014 12:43 p.m.
Total pages: 255
sys.ditaval
Contents
Contents
Introduction............................................................................................................................9
Contents
Contents
Contents
Contents
Contents
Summary.....................................................................................................................................................241
Introduction |
Introduction
This user guide is a reference book that explores the Epicor Advanced Financial Reporting (AFR) applications. The
guide is aimed at use of the AFR application after installation, from preliminary configuration through report
generation and viewing. It begins by describing the various components that make up the AFR environment,
including data replication, which is required to make your financial data available to AFR, and some basic setup
steps to take when you first start using the AFR Report Designer.
The user guide then examines the elements that make up an AFR report definition: row sets, column sets, report
parameters, reporting trees, drill-downs, and also looks at the expressions used to retrieve required data from
you AFR financial database.
Learn how to generate RDL files and view reports in a web browser using Microsoft SQL Server Reporting Services
(SSRS), or alternatively in Microsoft Excel. The guide also touches on the third-party products you can use to fine
tune your report layouts, such as Microsoft Business Intelligence Development Studio and Microsoft SQL
Server Report Builder.
Finally, the guide addresses how to set up data security and restrict access to confidential company financial data
stored in AFR financial databases.
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multiple books and/or multiple companies, the report data is pulled from these multiple general ledger
sources.
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11. The AFR ODBC Driver enables you to generate a Microsoft Excel file for a report from the Report Designer,
which contains a predefined connection to the AFR data sources. You can change report parameters and
refresh the report in Excel to view the latest data.
Network Servers
Within your network environment, you can choose to set up separate servers or a single server to handle the
data processing and report generating tasks. Create the server environment you need to maximize the efficiency
of your network resources. This list describes the specific servers you need for the Epicor Advanced Financial
Reporting functionality:
1. Epicor ERP Application Database Server Users enter financial data into the Epicor ERP application
through this server. This database contains the source data that needs to be replicated out for display within
the AFR application. AFR currently supports data replication from Epicor ERP, Prophet 21, and iScala.
2. Report (AFR) Server This server contains the Epicor Advanced Financial Reporting Server functionality.
You and other users link client machines to this server to create the AFR reports. This server records the
report definitions within an AFR database. This server requires Internet Information Services to be running.
3. Microsoft SQL Server Reporting Services (SSRS) Web Site Server Users log into this server to view
the available AFR reports in a web browser.
4. Microsoft SQL Server, including SQL Server Replication, on the machine that will host the AFR
financial database.
Notice that both the replicated database and the report definition database can be located within any of these
servers. Likewise, some or all of these servers can be consolidated to run within a single server machine. Set up
the server configuration that works best with the demands placed on your network.
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Report Server
The Report Server is the primary computer that contains the AFR environment. This server processes the report
data definitions and layout configuration you will define for each report. It also typically handles the database
replication tasks that run through the SQL Replication.
The Report Server environment needs the following operating systems, applications, and available memory:
Windows 2008 or Windows 2008 R2
Microsoft SQL Server 2008 (Standard or Enterprise) with Microsoft SQL Server Reporting Services
AFR Replication Monitor
AFR Report Designer The Report Designer primarily functions as a workstation application on a separate
computer; however, if you want to create reports on the Report Server, you need to install this application in
this environment.
At least 3 GB of RAM
Logon Server
The Logon Server controls access to the Epicor Advanced Financial Reporting tools. You install this application
to validate your license from Epicor and activate the AFR tools. The Logon Server environment needs the following
operating system:
Windows 2008 or Windows 2008 R2
Workstation Environments
As described previously, you can set up separate workstation environments to create advanced financial reports.
These optional workstation environments are connected to the Report Server, so you will need to install the
Report Designer on them. You can then create the reports on these workstation environments and upload them
for use across your network. The workstation environments can contain the following applications:
Windows 7 or 8.
Report Designer Required to create advanced financial reports on the workstation.
Microsoft SQL Server BI Studio (SQL 2008 R2) or Data Tools (SQL 2012+) This solution is an optional application
you can use to refine your report layout.
Microsoft SQL Server Report Builder 3.0 This application is available for free download on the Microsoft
website. This solution is also an optional application for refining your report layout.
While the Microsoft SQL Server BI Studio and Microsoft SQL Server Report Builder are both optional items for
your AFR environment, it is recommended you use one of these tools to polish the final layout of your reports.
These tools provide you with the advanced layout and formatting functionality useful for fine-tuning the final
presentation of your reports.
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Epicor Applications
This section describes the Epicor applications you need to install within your server environment.
License Requester
Before you can use Epicor Advanced Financial Reporting, you must receive a license for the toolset from Epicor.
You do this during installation of the Epicor Advanced Financial Reporting component tools by running the Epicor
AFR License Requester from the installer. This tool automatically generates the machine identifier you then email
back to Epicor Customer Service; an Epicor support representative will then generate your license key. You enter
your name, the license duration you require, and how many concurrent users need access to Epicor AFR during
the licensing period. (The AFR Logon Server is licensed for a specific server machine; because of this, you need
to email the unique machine identifier (ID) back to Epicor Customer Service for verification and activation.)
Once you receive your AFR license key, you must apply it to the Report Server before you can begin creating
reports.
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Replication Monitor
The Epicor AFR Replication Monitor, together with the in-built AFR Replication Wizard, are programs designed
specifically to enable easy setup of SQL data replication from an ERP system database to an Advanced Financial
Reporting (AFR) financial database. The AFR Replication Monitor also provides subsequent monitoring of replication
tasks.
The AFR Replication Wizard, which you launch from within the AFR Replication Monitor, creates SQL replication
tasks which provide data synchronization between the Epicor ERP and AFR databases, using a plugin specific to
the ERP system in question. This program creates a publisher, subscriber, and job in Microsoft SQL Server. The
wizard sets up SQL replication from the source ERP database to the target AFR financial database by creating a
publication on the source SQL server and subscribing to it on the target SQL server. Once the wizard completes
the setup, and replication is initialized, the replication continues by means of SQL server.
The AFR Replication Monitor displays information about active replication tasks and their status, and enables
users to activate, deactivate, reinitialize, edit, and delete replication tasks.
Report Designer
Use the Report Designer to create financial reports. In this application, you set up the basic report layout of rows
and columns, the report parameters, define data criteria to pull specific data into the report, and preview your
new financial reports.
The advanced financial reports you create have three general report elements; these elements are rows, columns,
and reporting trees. Use this flexibility to develop each element individually and then combine the elements to
produce the various reports your end users need, without having to recreate these reports each time they are
needed. For example, if you want to see comparisons of budget vs. actual financial reports, you can combine
one row set with two different column sets and generate separate reports. Within each report, you can also
display multiple general ledger books to immediately compare the results for the selected books.
Reporting trees are hierarchies that use elements of GL account codes, and expressions based on database fields,
that enable you to filter the data that display in a report.
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You can also create dictionaries. In each dictionary you create, enter default data sets or common expressions
to use within row sets, column sets, and reporting trees. The use of dictionary definition removes the need to
re-enter complex expressions every time you need them.
The available syntax you use for expressions on report items is
documented within the Row and Column Sets, and Report
Design chapters.
The default dictionary definitions you create are typically made up of commonly used expressions, but these
expressions can be used to pull in complex data results. For example, a set of revenue accounts can be spread
across multiple account numbers because of the chart of accounts structure; you can set up an expression that
automatically pulls in all of these account numbers and name that dictionary definition Revenue_Accounts.
By creating a data set, you avoid having to specify complex details each time you want to include the Revenue
Accounts in a row set, column set, or reporting tree.
Once you create a report definition, you can preview the report data and the report structure, upload Report
Definition Language (RDL) files, and create drill down links from one report to another. Drill downs are especially
useful for displaying more detailed reports directly from within a summary report.
You connect to the web service via the AFR Report Server option in the Windows Start menu. This launches your
default web browser, and displays the SSRS Home page. From there, you can access and view your AFR reports.
The web service also launches when you click View Report in the Report Designer.
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Viewing Reports
While you design your reports, you can use the report preview to display the data results of your report. When
you preview the report, you can also update parameters you defined on the report in the Report Designer. Use
these parameters to determine what data displays on the financial report.
Once you have uploaded an RDL file, you can launch the report in a web browser, via SQL Server Reporting
Services (SSRS). This is how other report users will normally view reports. If you are satisfied with the report data
and basic layout, you can further refine the final look of the report in either the Microsoft Visual Studio or
Microsoft SQL Server Report Builder.
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activated, and a user has not been explicitly granted permission to view restricted parts of a report, the user is
not able to view this confidential data.
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instead of BI Studio. The SQL Server Report Builder is an ideal layout tool to use with your advanced financial
reports.
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You can use this application to fine-tune the layout, style, and format for a report definition RDL file created in
the AFR Report Designer. This powerful tool contains functionality you can leverage to modify almost every aspect
of your advanced financial report. Note, however, that this tool is designed for use by software developers, so
the interface is more complicated than the Microsoft SQL Server Report Builder. If you are comfortable with using
a more developer-based tool, you can use this application to load and refine the financial reports created through
AFR.
Summary
This chapter contains a high level description of the components required to run Epicor Advanced Financial
Reporting. You first need to decide how AFR will be installed on your network. Various server functions can be
placed on separate servers or installed together on one main Report Server. Likewise, you need to decide whether
users will create advanced reports directly on the Report Server or indirectly through a series of workstation
environments.
Regardless of the installation strategy you use, you must run a series of network tasks in order for users to display
and print advanced reports. First, financial information from a source Epicor ERP database is replicated to an AFR
financial database via SQL Replication tasks you set up in the AFR Replication Monitor. This replicated data must
be accessible in the Report Designer. After you develop advanced reports in the Report Designer, upload an RDL
file, and optionally refine the layout in applications available from Microsoft, you make these reports available
for display in a web browser via SQL Server Reporting Services (SSRS). Alternatively, the AFR ODBC driver enables
users to generate and view reports in Microsoft Excel. Users can launch these reports from client workstations
or from the Report Server itself.
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Granularity
The Replication Wizard enables set up of individual data replication tasks for each company, book, and fiscal year
in your ERP database. Equally, you can combine all company, book, and fiscal year data into one replication task.
The separation of companies and/or books into separate tasks can be an advantage when large amounts of data
are replicated. If it is necessary to reinitialize replication for just one company, it will be much quicker if that
company has a separate task. If you have to re-initialize replication for all companies in the one task, it could
take considerably longer.
Replication Types
The Replication Wizard creates two types of replication task:
Operational Data - Business transactions, GL daily/periodic balances, and so on.
Setup Data - Includes chart of accounts, chart of accounts segment values, company, GL book, fiscal periods,
and so on.
There is always just one Setup Info task created for each ERP database, which replicates date-independent setup
data for all the companies, books and fiscal years being replicated. This task is separate, so if you need to
re-initialize only setup data, it is not necessary to re-initialize operational data, which might take longer.
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Table
Type
Filter
GLJrnDtl
Operational
GLPeriodBal
Operational
GLBudgetDtl
Operational
GLJrnDtlMnl
Operational
COA
Setup
Company
COASegment
Setup
Company
COASegValues
Setup
Company
Company
Setup
Company
GLBook
Setup
Company, Book
FiscalPer
Setup
Company
GLAccount
Setup
Company
COAActCat
Setup
Company
Currency
Setup
Company
CurrConvRule
Setup
Company
Table
Type
Filter
CurrRateGrp
Setup
Company
CurrExRate
Setup
Company
The Epicor 9.05 plugin uses the same tables as the Epicor ERP, except it does not include the GLJrnDtlMnl table.
The following table lists the operational and setup tables used for replication by the iScala plugin.
Table
Type
Filter
Operational
GL06 (Transactions)
Operational
Operational
Setup
Setup
Setup
ScaCompanies
Setup
Company
ScaCompanyProperty
Setup
Company
ScaCompanySegment
Setup
Company
Type
Filter
gl
Operational
Company, FiscalYear
balances
Setup
Company
chart_of_accts
Setup
Company
company
Setup
Company
periods
Setup
Company
code_p21
Setup
currency_hdr
Setup
currency_line
Setup
2.
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For example, there are three transaction lines for the natural account 1090. Only two of the lines have a dynamic
segment in the GL account string.
Date
Amount
Segment1
Segment2
Segment3
Segment4 (Dynamic)
2015/10/15
10000.00
1090
02
00
2015/10/3
8.00
1090
02
00
CustomerA
2015/10/15
250.00
1090
02
00
CustomerA
The following tables illustrate the difference between the two aggregation methods.
AFR 9.05 behavior - Aggregate using the full accounting string from transaction lines:
Date
Amount
GL Account String
2015/10/3
8.00
1090-02-00-CustomerA
2015/10/15
10000.00
1090-02-00
2015/10/15
250.00
1090-02-00-CustomerA
This is the default behavior if you want to replicate to an existing AFR financial database converted from AFR
9.05.
Aggregate using balance segment settings in ERP - Aggregate using Balance Segment settings in Epicor
ERP:
Date
Amount
2015/10/3
8.00
1090-02-00
2015/10/15
10250.00
1090-02-00
With this method, the other segments are ignored for the purposes of daily balance creation.
This is the default behavior if you want to replicate to a new AFR 10 financial database.
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10. The Replication Tasks sheet displays details of existing replication tasks (if any).
11. The ERP Databases sheet displays details of the ERP database to which you are connected.
3. In the Source ERP Type field, select the type of ERP database from which you are replicating. The options
are:
Epicor 9.05 - When you select this option, only Epicor 9.05 source databases are available or selection
in the next window.
Epicor ERP - When you select this option, source databases from Epicor 9.05 and Epicor 10 are available
for selection in the next window.
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iScala - When you select this option, only iScala source databases are available for selection in the next
window.
Prophet 21 - When you select this option, only Prophet 21 source databases are available for selection
in the next window.
4. Click Next.
2. In the SQL Server field, specify the server where the ERP source database is located.
3. In the Database field, select the source ERP database.
4. Click Next.
2. In the tree view, select the companies or individual books you want to replicate.
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2. In the Re-initialization options section, select how to divide companies and books into separate replication
tasks. Available options:
All companies together All companies and books are included in one task
Each company independently from others A separate task is created for each company. The task
includes all the books selected in the company.
Each company and book independently from others A separate task is created for each
company/book combination.
3. Select Include all new companies in replication to automatically add companies created in the future to
the replication tasks.
4. Similarly, select Include all new books in replication to automatically add books created in the future to
the replication tasks.
5. Click Next.
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7. In the Replicate from year field, specify the earliest year from which you want to start replication.
8. In the Re-Initialization options section, select whether to separate different fiscal years into individual
tasks. Available options:
All years together No separation of tasks according to fiscal year.
Each year independently from others - A separate task is created for each fiscal year.
9. Select Include all new years to automatically add fiscal years created in the future to the replication tasks.
10. Click Next.
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5. In the Replication task name prefix field, accept or overwrite the default task name prefix which displays.
When created, each replication task uses the prefix,
followed by a unique numerical identifier. This is the task
ID used by SQL Management Studio in the publisher and
subscriber servers.
6. Select the Start replication immediately check box if you want replication to initialize as soon as the tasks
are created. Otherwise, you have to manually initialize each task after creation.
7. In the Select path for shared folder field, you can specify an alternative location to set up snapshot scripts.
By default, the snapshot scripts folder is located on the
Epicor ERP (Publisher) server.
8. Click Next.
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4. Click OK.
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8. Click OK.
9. Once you have added, edited, or deleted tasks as required, click Next.
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4. Click Next.
5. The AFR Replication Wizard - Configuring SQL Replication window displays. The task creation process
starts. Each action displays in the Message field, and the status bar displays the progress of the task generation
process.
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6. When the process is complete, the last message line displays the location where the log file is saved, in case
you need to review it. This file can be useful for troubleshooting.
7. Click Done.
8. The tasks display in the AFR Replication Monitor.
2. Click Initialize.
If you selected the Start replication immediately check
box on the AFR Replication Wizard - Miscellaneous
window, it is not necessary to initialize the tasks, as they
initialize as soon as they are created.
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2. Select a task and click Edit to adjust the following aspects of the task:
Add or remove companies, books, and fiscal years.
Select/clear the Include all new companies in replication and Include all new books in replication
check boxes.
3. Remove a task by clicking the Unsubscribe button. When you remove a task in the Replication Monitor,
the related SQL entities - publisher, subscriber, job - are deleted from SQL automatically.
4. Click Refresh to view the current status of a task.
5. Click Suspend to temporarily stop replication tasks.
There may be occasions when your company needs to
generate a large number of reports in the AFR Report
Viewer. If you want to ensure exactly the same data is
used for all the reports, you can temporarily suspend
replication tasks, to ensure no new data is added to the
AFR database during report generation.
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8. The Last Error and Last Error Time fields provide information on errors encountered in a particular task.
For details on troubleshooting, view the application help.
9. The Change Queue field displays the number of items due to replicate from the source ERP database to
the target AFR database. If, after some time, this number does not reduce, it may indicate an issue with the
replication.
10. If you need to update the Windows user and password details, for example due to their expiry, navigate to
the ERP Databases sheet and click Change replication task credentials.
Summary
Now that the database replication process is duplicating financial data, you are ready to build your AFR reports.
You next need to configure the Epicor Advanced Financial Reporting tools within the report server environment
and any workstation environments you need. These tools connect to the subscriber databases, so you can display
the financial data regularly generated through data replication. The next chapter documents how you set up and
configure the AFR reporting tools.
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2. In the text of this file, within the <ReportViewer> element, locate the <ReportManagerUrl>,
<WebServiceUrl> and <AFRReportServerURL> lines .
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3. These correspond to the fields used when the AFR Logon Server was setup during installation.
4. If you do not know these URLs, you can use the Reporting Services Configuration Manager. To launch
this program, navigate to: Start > All Programs > Microsoft SQL Server 2008 > Configuration Tools
> Reporting Services Configuration Manager. Connect to the server.
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7. Copy the URL text and paste it between the [ ] within the ReportManagerURL line in the configuration file.
8. Now follow these same steps for the Web Service URL. Return to the Reporting Services Configuration
Manager. On the left navigation menu, select Web Service URL.
9. In the Web Service URL section, review the Web Service URL.
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10. Copy the URL text and paste it between the [ ] of the WebService URL line in the configuration file.
11. In the <AFRReportServerUrl> element, you specify the URL of the AFR Report Server. This URL is used by
the AFR installer to extract the URL for shortcut creation.
12. This setting was initialized during installation, using the value specified in the AFR Report Server URL field
on the AFR Logon Server settings installation screen.
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13. This URL was used by the AFR installer to extract the URL for creation of the AFR Report Server shortcut.
Request License
If your license expires, or you need a new license to enable the batch schedule feature, you have to request a
new one from Epicor Customer Support.
When the request is verified, Epicor Customer Support will generate the new AFR license and email it to you. For
details on how to request a license, refer the AFR Installation Guide.
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Windows Path: Start > All Programs > Epicor Software > Advanced Financial Reporting > License Requester
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3. When the license and server are validated, the Log on to Report Definition DB window displays.
5. Enter your User and Password or select the Use Windows credentials check box to enter your network
ID.
6. Select an existing report definition database in the Database field.
7. To convert an existing database from a previous AFR version, select the Show previous versions check
box, then select a database from the Database list. You will be prompted to give the database a new name.
8. Click OK.
The Report Designer launches.
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3. Enter the Database Name you want for your new database.
4. Click Create. The database is generated.
5. In the Log on to Report Definition DB window, click OK. You have created the new report definition database.
The definitions for the advanced financial reports you will build are stored within this database.
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8. In the Web Service URL section, review the Report Server Web Service URLs information. This URL
displays as a blue underlined link. Verify this URL is the same as the one you entered on the Settings > RDL
window in the Report Designer.
9. Return to the Settings > RDL sheet in the Report Designer. To verify you have a valid URL, click the Test
connection button.
10. If the connection works, you see a message stating the Reporting Services server is connected. Click OK.
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11. The Data source Name is the folder that will contain your reports in SSRS. This is automatically created by
AFR.
12. The Default SSRS Folder is called AFR, unless you decide to change it.
If security considerations mean you require several separate folders on the same server, each must have a
different name.
13. Select the SQL Server where the AFR financial database is located.
14. In the Database field, select the database that contains replicated AFR financial data.
15. Click OK.
Summary
This chapter looked at three important fields in the Logon Server config file, which you may need to configure.
Once your AFR installation is configured, you can launch the AFR Report Designer, connect to the Logon Server
and create a new Report Definition Database, or select an existing one.
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2. The Settings window displays. Notice this window has four sheets General, RDL, Preview and Default
Formats.
The rest of this section explores the options available on each of these sheets.
General Settings
The General settings sheet contains overall settings for the Report Designer. These options define how various
functions perform while you create advanced financial reports.
1. Click the General tab.
2. In the Rows in a new row set field, enter the number of rows you want to display within new row sets.
This value is for convenience - it limits the number of rows you will typically need within each new row set.
Enter a value that best reflects your average reporting needs. If you do not have enough rows when creating
reports, you can always add more rows. You can also delete any unwanted rows from your row sets.
3. In the New row number increment in a new row set field, enter the numerical gap you want to have
in between rows in a row set. The default value is 10, meaning rows are numbered 10, 20, 30, and so on.
It is useful to have a gap, so you can later add additional rows in between, if required. For example, you
might create an addition row 15 betweeen rows 10 and 20.
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4. If you want Report Definition Language (RDL) files to automatically open in Microsoft Visual Studio when
you generate them, select the Edit generated RDLs by default check box.
5. Select the Use summary balances check box to indicate summary balances will be used in a report. When
selected, the Report Designer uses the Summary and Summary/Detail balance types. If you do not select
this check box, the Report Designer uses the Detail and Summary/Detail balance types.
6. The Show Nan and Infinity as field defines how NaN (null) and Infinity values will display on your
advanced financial reports. The default value is an en dash (-), but you can enter another symbol if you
prefer.
7. Select the Use column names in the expression builder check box to indicate that column names display
within the Expression Builder window. You use this window to create calculations for specific fields within
each advanced financial report. If you select this check box, the columns names are available for use in
expressions as you need.
8. In the Default 'edit' access role field, enter the default user or group with Edit rights on new reports.
When you create a new report, this user or group can then automatically make changes to this report. You
can then give other users and groups Edit rights to the report on the Security sheet. For more information,
review Chapter 5: Report Design; the Report Security section describes this functionality.
9. In the Default 'view' access role field, enter the default user or group with View rights on new reports.
When you create a new report, this user or group can then automatically launch and view the report. You
can then give other users and groups View rights to the report on the Security sheet.
10. In the SQL query timeout seconds field, define how long a query can be idle before it stops, or times out.
You enter this value in seconds; for example, 180 seconds (3 minutes).
11. If you select the Start Column Expressions Assistant for new columns check box, the assistant will
launch whenever you create a new column in a column set.
12. If reports are likely to contain more than 5,000 rows, enter a suitable value in the Maximum rows in a list
field.
This value applies to both report preview and report RDL files launched in a web browser.
13. Select the Enable segment display order to display GL account strings in the same segment order as they
display in the Epicor ERP application.
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RDL Settings
Use the report definition language (RDL) settings to define how your RDL files interact with SQL Server for
Reporting Services (SSRS). You define the location of both the web service and the reporting database. The RDL
files can then access the SSRS functionality and display data from your database.
To configure the RDL Settings:
1. Click the RDL tab.
2. The Web service URL used for the report server displays in the top field. This URL is received from the
Logon Server and set by default when the report definition database is created. The setup places the URL
in the logon server config file.
3. To verify this connection, click the Test connection button.
4. The Data Source Name field displays the name of the AFR Report Definition Database, with the prefix
'DS1_'.
5. In the Default SSRS Folder, you can specify the folder where all newly-generated or imported RDL files are
stored. The default folder is AFR.
If you change the default folder, it does not affect RDL
files that were already generated.
6. The SQL Server field displays the location of the AFR financial database which provides the financial data
when you launch a report RDL file.
7. The Use Windows credentials check box is selected by default. If specific AFR login credentials are used
instead, clear the check box and enter the username and password.
8. In the Database drop-down list, select the AFR financial database that contains the replicated financial
data to display on reports when you launch a report's RDL file in a web browser.
To launch and view reports in a browser, you must specify
a database in this field.
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Preview Settings
Use the Preview sheet to set up how reports will display in the preview window. This sheet defines the server
and the database used to pull in data for display on each financial report preview when you click Generate
report preview in the Report Designer.
To configure the Preview settings:
1. Click the Preview tab.
2. The SQL Server drop-down list displays the SQL Server that contains the AFR financial database. If the
database for previews is on a different server, specify the address in this field.
3. The Use Windows credentials check box is selected by default. If specific AFR login credentials are used
instead, clear the check box and enter the username and password.
4. In the Database drop-down list, select the database that contains the financial data to use in report previews.
The AFR financial database used for report previews can
be the same as the database used for reports when you
launch an RDL file. However, you may want to use a static
sample database for previews, with data that does not
change, so you can be sure what results to expect as you
create and preview your report designs. Also, you may
want to avoid using the real financial database for
previews, as a matter of security.
Default Formats
Use the Default Formats sheet to set up how dates and periods will display by default in reports. If no default is
specified, the system default is used.
To configure the Default Format settings:
1. Navigate to the Default Formats tab.
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2. The Sample fields display the default date format and fiscal period format, unless you specify a different
format.
3. In the Fiscal Period Format field, enter a default display format.
Use Y (year) and P (period) to format the period display.
The default is YYYY[-S]/PP, for example, 2015/07.
4. Right-click in the Date Format field to select a format from the options which display.
5. When you finish defining the global settings you want for the Report Designer, click OK.
2. Select the report element you want to export. In this example, you select the Reports option.
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4. Enter the File Path to which you will save the elements. You can directly enter this path or click the ellipsis
button (...) to find and select the location you need.
5. Select Include Security Settings to retain the security settings of the report element.
6. If you are exporting reports, select the Include RDLs check box to export the RDL files as well.
7. When you finish, click OK.
The selected report elements currently open in the Report Designer are exported to the location specified.
You and other users can now import these report elements into another environment that contains the
Epicor Advanced Financial Reporting toolset.
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3. Either manually enter the File Path to the directory that contains the exported report elements, or click the
ellipsis button (...) to search and select this location.
4. Select Include Security Settings to import any security settings in the reports and their elements.
Even if this option is not selected, the current user is always added to the list of users who can edit and view
the report.
5. To include RDL files in the import, select the Include RDLs check box.
The import file will not contain RDLs if they were not
included in the export. In such cases, the RDL files can be
uploaded to the SSRS server manually using, for example,
Microsoft SQL Server Report Builder. You would then
run the Refresh RDL List command from the Actions menu.
6. Click OK.
7. If you attempt to import an element which is already in the memory, an Object Exists warning message
displays for each item, prompting you to decide whether to overwrite the existing element or not.
9. Click Save on the Standard toolbar to save the reports in the database.
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3. In the SQL Server field enter or select the SQL server location from which you want to import.
4. In the Database field, select the Management Reporter database you want to import.
5. Click OK.
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6. The Select MR objects to import window displays. You can select reports and/or underlying elements to
import.
After conversion, the report and/or objects imported are available in the report designer.
If there are unexpected errors, the message Conversion finished with errors displays. In this case, review the
log file in the location specified on the message.
In certain expected cases, where a Management Reporter
element is not converted to AFR, and must be addressed for
the AFR report to function correctly, the unconverted element
displays in the relevant AFR dimension enclosed between the
special characters /* and */. These items display in the log file
marked Warning. For more information on this subject, refer
to the Epicor AFR MMR Conversion Guide on Epicweb.
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Summary
The Report Designer contains several settings and tools you use to fit the application within your report
development environment. Modify the various available settings to set up the Report Designer defaults as you
need.
Use the search, export, and import functionality to manage your report elements. Use these features to export
the report elements into a backup location, and optionally import these existing report elements into other Report
Designer environments.
Use the sheets in the Settings window to set up a number of important defaults, such as the database used to
retrieve financial data, as well as default date display formats, or the standard number of rows in a row set.
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Row Sets
Row sets are one of the primary elements on each advanced financial report. Each row set contains a series of
rows; you can add or remove rows as you need. You can also define the expression each row uses to pull in
specific data. You do this by selecting a row type that defines what displays on the row. For example, you can
enter an expression to define which GL accounts display on each row. You also determine the numerical format
for each row, as well as font, alignment, and color of the text within the row.
Additionally, each row set can be linked to a drill-down report. For example, users can launch a drill-down report
to display more detailed data related to a summary report. Each row set can also be assigned to multiple versions.
Leverage this key feature to create row definitions that can be used for different companies or GL books which
use a different chart of accounts. Versions are very important if your organization has a multi-company or
multi-book environment; you can then use the same advanced financial report to create reports that display data
from different GL sources throughout your organization.
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Row Definitions
Use the sheets under the Row Definitions tab to add, edit, delete, and review report rows. Through this
functionality, you indicate what financial information displays on the various advanced financial reports that use
this row set. You also indicate the text color, cell color, font type, size, and style displayed on each row.
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The controls and fields you can modify on the List sheet are also available on the Row Definitions > Detail >
General sheet, where you can also set the Numeric Format for individual rows. If you select a row in the grid,
press Tab to quickly move through the updatable options on each row.
To set row definitions on the List sheet:
1. Navigate to the Row Sets > Detail > Row Definitions > List sheet.
5. Select the row Type from the list. The row type either indicates what data is pulled into the row or defines
a format item used to organize other rows. Available options:
Account Sum Use this row type to select specific accounts, a range of accounts, or a series of account
categories. The financial values from these selected accounts or categories are totalled and the resulting
sum of these values display in this row. To define what accounts are summarized on this row, enter an
expression in the Expression field. For example, the expression 5* is analogous to the expression SUM({5*})
in an Expression row type (see below).
Account List Use this row type to develop a financial detail report. When you use this row type, you
do not define each row to pull in data from a specific account. Instead, you can leverage this row type
to select a list of accounts and their values. You can then create an expression to define the list of accounts
that displays on the report. For example, you can create an expression that dynamically pulls in all income
accounts. The expression syntax is the same as in the Account Sum type.
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When the report is run, this row automatically displays a list of all active income accounts, with each
account in a separate row. Use this powerful row type to build financial reports that dynamically build
results depending on the current state of the chart of accounts. Use the Settings field to determine which
account segments to group by.
Row Sum Select this row type to add other rows together. You can set up a row that totals values for
a list or selection of other rows. For example, the expression 10:100 is analogous to the expression
SUM([R10]:[R100]) in an Expression row type.
Expression Use this row type to build a mathematical equation that will calculate an amount to display
in this row. Various parameters are available in the Expression Builder to create the expression, which
can refer to features of other rows, and include complex calculations. You can use this row type to add
a row range to an account amount without having to create separate row definitions. For example,
SUM({5*}) + SUM([R10]:[R100]).
Single Under Score Places one underscore line across the bottom of this row. Use this type to break
up the rows into different sections or to indicate subtotal and total rows.
Double Under Score Places two underscore lines across the bottom of this row. Use this type to break
up the rows into different sections or to indicate subtotal and total rows.
In column definitions, you can use the Include
underscore line option to determine if underscore
rows apply to the column.
Single Line Places one line across the middle of this row. Use this type to break up the rows into
different sections or to indicate subtotal and total rows.
Double Line Places two lines across the middle of this row. Use this type to break up the rows into
different sections or to indicate subtotal and total rows.
Page Break Select this row type to indicate the next row will display on a new page. Use this row type
to divide the report into the various logical sections you need.
Group Start Use this type to designate the beginning of a row grouping. If you enter a Group Start
row, you must also enter a Group End row. For example, row grouping can be used to loop through a
range of accounts and output the inner rows for each account.
Group End Use this type to designate the end of a row grouping. All rows between a Group Start
row and its corresponding Group End row are included in the grouping.
6. The Expression field defines what displays within each row. Depending on the row type, you can define a
specific account, a range of accounts, a total value from selected accounts, or calculate an amount using a
mathematical or logical expression. Although you can directly enter an expression in this field, you can also
click the ellipsis button (...) to launch the Expression Builder. A later section explains how to use this tool.
When a user runs a report that uses this row, the values that display reflect the expression defined for the
row.
You can leave a row blank to create additional space on
the report. You do not define an expression for a blank
row, but you have to select a row type. This row type can
either be Account Sum or Account List. Because you do
not define an expression, however, this row will appear
blank when the report is generated.
7. Select the Hidden check box to hide this row. When this report displays at runtime, the row does not display,
but any report calculations based on the row still display in other visible rows.
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8. In the Books field, you can optionally specify company/book combinations by which to filter the row. The
selected company/books must use the same chart of accounts as the report's main company/book. Click
the ellipsis button (...) in the field to use the Expression Builder to view and select valid combinations.
Book filters set on a row override the report parameters.
9. In the Period From and Period To fields, you can optionally specify date or period values to filter the row.
These values override the values you set on the report parameters. Use the Expression Builder to help create
more complex period or date expressions.
10. If the row type is Account List, use the Settings field to determine how to group account segments. Click
the ellipsis button () in the Settings field.
11. The Account List Settings window displays.
12. Select the check box for the segments by which you want to group data into rows. For example, if you want
to group the rows in an account list by segment 1 only (usually the natural account), select Segment 1. The
resulting expression displays in the Settings field, where an asterisk (*) denotes the selected segments. Thus
the row displays data grouped by the selected segment values, not by individual accounts.
By default, all segments are selected.
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1. In the Tree View, select a row you want to define. In this example, you select row 10.
2. Navigate to the Row Sets > Detail > Row Definitions > Detail > General sheet.
You can update the various fields in the same way as on the List sheet.
3. Select the Override report numeric format check box to enable the fields in the Numeric format pane
and override the report's default numeric format. (The default numeric format for a report is configured on
the Reports > Detail > Options sheet.)
4. The following numeric values are available for formatting:
Rounding - Select from No Rounding, Nearest Hundred, Thousands, Milllions, and Billions. To
round to whole numbers, combine the Rounding selection with the Decimal Places selection.
Decimal places - Enter the number of decimal places with which you want the report values to display
(up to 12). The default decimal places value is 2.
Thousand separator symbol - Enter the separator symbol of your choice. When this field is left blank,
values display without a separator symbol; for example, 1000.
Currency symbol - Enter the symbol for the current report's currency; for example, $. You can also use
non-currency symbols. For example, if a particular row displays percentages, use the % symbol.
Wrap negative numbers in symbols - In their rightful fields, enter an open symbol and a close symbol
in which you want negative numbers to display; for example, ( ).
Show zero as - Select how to display zero (0) values on the selected report: As is, Blank, String. If you
select String, an extra field displays, where you can enter the symbol you want to use to represent zero.
Show currency after value - Clear this check box to have the defined currency symbol display before
values instead of after values; for example, $531.80. By default, this check box is selected.
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5. Continue modifying each row as you need. When you finish defining the rows, click the Save button on
the Standard toolbar.
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3. The Expression Builder window displays the controls you need to build an account summary row.
4. You can begin by entering an account number within the Expression field.
5. You can also enter account options within the Account Builder grid. For example, you can enter a range
of accounts . Any changes you make then display within the Expression field.
The segment headers that display in the Account Builder
depend on the company and chart of accounts you select
in the Available accounts/segments section below.
6. Alternatively, use the Available accounts/segments section to select the company and chart of accounts
(COA) you want to use, to display a list of valid GL accounts for that company/COA combination. This can
help ensure you select valid values for the company and COA you want to use in the report.
7. Select the Company you need from the drop down list. All companies replicated to your AFR financial
database display on this list.
8. Select the Chart of accounts you want to use for this row. All charts of accounts created for the selected
company display in the drop down list.
9. Use the Accounts of chart [Selected chart] sheet to view the available full GL accounts.
10. If a specific segment has focus in the Account Builder grid (in this example, the Chart segment has focus),
click the Values of segment '[Segment Name]' sheet to view and select from the segments available.
Some example expressions for Account Sum and Account List rows:
5*:6*
7*
8*^*-00
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1000-01-00, 1010-01-00
The asterisk (*) acts as a wildcard in expressions. A colon
(:) denotes a range, a comma (,) denotes individual,
separately selected items, and ^ denotes exclusion. For
example, 1^*-00 - represents all accounts starting with
1 in the first segment except those whose segment 2
value is 00.
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3. The Expression Builder window displays the controls you need to create a sum of other rows.
4. All of the rows available within the current row set display within the Row Selector grid.
5. Select the first row you want to include in the range.
6. Press Shift and click the end of the range that you want, or press Ctrl to select rows individually.
You can select just a single row number if required.
7. Notice the Expression field displays the range of the rows you selected.
8. To save this row sum expression, click OK.
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1. Click the Type drop-down list and select the Expression option.
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4. Notice that two default Math functions are available Sum (Summation) and Trunc (Truncate). Select these
functions to include them in your expression.
5. Notice that four Constants functions are available Nan (Not a Number), Infinity, True, and False. Select
these functions to include them in your expression.
6. One Logical function is available If. Select this function to include it in your expression.
7. Just like the Account Sum and Account List versions of the Expression Builder, you can select Accounts,
Account Categories, and Dictionary.
8. Select a Company and Chart of Accounts to help you select valid values from the grid.
9. If the expression you constructed is valid, the Expression is valid message displays in the lower left corner
of this window.
As you build the expression, it is immediately validated.
If there is an error, the incorrect section of the expression
is highlighted in red. An explanation for the expression
error displays in the bottom left corner.
10. You can also select Rows to display a list of available rows to use in your expression.
11. Use the Row Selector pane to select individual rows or a range of rows.
In the Expression row type, row numbers must be enclosed
in square parentheses, with the prefix 'R', for example
[R20].
12. Alternatively, you can manually enter the whole expression you require for the row in the Expression field.
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Expression Syntax
The following table displays the syntax conventions you can use within the Expression Builder window. Use these
options to build the expression you need for each row.
Expression
Name
Expression
Syntax
Description
Example
Account
{SVAL1-...-SVALn}
1000-01-100
{[ABC]*[-*]}
{1*}
{[A]?[BC]*}
{*-00}
Account
Account
Range
Starting account :
Ending account
{1000-01-100}:{9999-*}
-or{1000-01-*}:{9999-??-999}
Account
Range
Starting account :
Ending account ^
Excluded account
or
range of accounts
Account List
Account1,
Account2,
...AccountN
Account
Category
#[#]categoryID
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#ASSETS,##LIAB_EQUIT
Expression
Name
Expression
Syntax
Description
Example
Row
Reference
[Rn]
[R10]
Row Range
[Rs]:[Re]
[R10]:[R50]
Dictionary
Definition
Reference
$definitionName
$payroll
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6. Use the Text Color and Background Color options to select a different color for the font and background
in the row.
7. Click the Decrease Indent and Increase Indent buttons to change the indent amount for the selected
row.
The indent only applies to the Description field.
8. When you finish modifying the format of each row, click Save.
2. In the Drill Down Report field, use the drop down list to select from currently open reports.
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3. You can also click the ellipsis button () to search and select from all existing reports.
4. In the RDL Path field, you can select an alternative RDL path and filename for the drill-down report, for
example if you have more than one RDL file associated with the report.
If <Default> is selected in this field, AFR forms the path by concatenating the default RDL path with the
name of the report definition, adding '.rdl'.
5. Select the Display as inline subreport check box if you want the drill down report to display within the
parent report. If you leave this check box clear, the drill down report will launch in a separate window when
you click on a row in the parent report.
6. The various parameters available for the selected drill-down report display within the Parameters grid.
The Value fields contain the expression used by the drill-down report to pull in attributes from the parent
financial report. You can click the ellipsis button (...) to launch the Expression Builder and modify these
expressions, but drill down parameter values are usually left unchanged.
7. Click Save.
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1. In the Tree View, select the row for which you want to set a drill down.
2. Navigate to the Row Sets > Detail > Row Definitions > Detail > Drill Down sheet.
3. Select from currently open reports in the Drill Down Report list.
4. Alternatively, click the Search button to display all existing reports. Either select an option from the drop
down list or use the search window to select a report.
5. Click Save.
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5. The company code and COA code display within the VersionId grid.
6. Click the Save button to record your changes.
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7. Click and drag the Versions sheet and dock it at the edge of the screen. This makes it easier to select the
version and see its row definitions at the same time.
8. Navigate to the Row Definitions sheet. The row definitions for the selected version display.
9. On the Versions sheet, select the new row set version.
10. Update the Expression field for Account Row, Account List, and Expression fields, according to its chart of
accounts structure. You cannot change the row Number, Description or Type.
11. Click Save.
User-Defined Properties
The purpose of user-defined (UD) properties is to enable the user to maintain some report data within the report
itself. The UD property values are not stored in the financial database, but they are available in column expressions
and treated the same way as data retrieved from the financial database, for example, via DebitAmount.
UD properties are useful with conditional column expressions (the IF function), and enable the user to apply
column expressions only to specific rows tagged with a UD property value. UD properties can also be used to
query non-AFR data from the financial database, and use the data in the report.
Once you create a new property, you can assign values to the properties on each row in the Row Definitions
sheet. You can reference these properties in column expressions to display the values on reports or use them as
variables in expressions. When you create new user properties, you give each property an alias. Use that alias to
refer to the property in column expressions. Use the format Row.Alias.
There are five types of user-defined properties available: Character, Number, Boolean, DateTime, and Query.
You can create up to ten properties of each type.
Example If certain rows in your report will give negative
amounts, but you want to show them as positive, create a
Boolean user property with a name like ReverseSign. On the
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Query
The Query property enables you to query data from non-AFR tables in the AFR financial database, using standard
SQL query syntax. The user is responsible for maintaining that data. You can use SQL Server Replication (outside
of AFR Replication Monitor) to set up a data feed from an ERP system to a table in the AFR financial database.
Alternatively, you can create your own tables and use a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet to maintain the data in
those tables. For example, this could be daily budget forecasts in a hospitality business.
In addition to the Name and Alias fields, you also create an SQL query using the Query Builder, which then
displays in the Default field.
For example, if you want to incorporate elements of statistical accounting in your report, you could query other
database tables, to query values such as Head Count, Production Units, and so on. You can then reference that
query in a column expression, using the format Row.[Alias] (where [Alias] is the actual alias for the particular user
property).
Non-AFR tables are not part of the standard replication tasks
set up with the AFR Replication Monitor. Therefore, to replicate
other tables from your ERP financial database, use SQL
Management Studio to create a new table within the AFR
financial database, and set up a replication task to replicate
the required tables from your ERP database to your AFR
financial database.
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1. Navigate to the Row Sets > Detail > User Properties sheet.
7. In the SELECT field, specify the database field(s) to retrieve from the table.
8. In the FROM field, right-click to select from a list of all non-AFR tables found in the preview AFR financial
database.
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9. In the WHERE field, right-click to select from report parameters, for example Company ID, Row or Cell
values.
To prevent users from bypassing data security settings,
AFR prohibits entry of any known AFR database objects
(tables, views, and so on) in the SELECT, FROM and
WHERE values.
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> Row Definitions > List sheet and change the Account Sum rows to Account List, and change their description
to {account} or {account description}.
You cannot copy AFR elements between two instances of the
AFR report designer. All copy/paste operations work within the
same instance of the process only.
To copy a row set:
1. In the Tree View, select the row set you want to copy.
5. To make a separate copy of the dictionary linked to this row set, select the Dictionary check box.
6. To make a separate copy of the drill down reports attached to the row set, select the Drill-Down
Reports check box.
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7. Click Paste.
8. A new Copy_Of_ row set displays in the Tree View.
9. If you elected to copy the dictionary or drill downs, a new copy of each element also displays, including all
the elements of the drill down report.
If not, the row set refers to the same elements as the original row set.
10. Click Save on the Standard toolbar.
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Change the row description, expression, and any other fields as required.
Row Grouping
Use row grouping to group and sort data on a report by each unique value of a specific database field or fields.
Use the Group Start and Group End row types to set up groups. All rows between the Group Start and Group
End are included in the group. A group can include several rows of different types, including Account List, Account
Sum, and Row Sum. When you run a report, row groups repeat enclosed rows for each unique value of the
field(s) specified in the Group Start Expression field. You can also provide headings for each group in the report,
as well as formatting rows to visually separate the groups data.
The current unique value of the field specified in the Group Start expression is AND-ed with the expressions of
each row contained in the group. Exceptions are the non-expression row types, and Row Sum rows, which are
not affected by the group.
Groups can be nested. A row expression is logically AND-ed with all current values of the parent groups. When
a user drills down from a cell within a group, the group's unique value is logically AND-ed with the cell's
corresponding effective account, book and time filters. In that respect, groups are similar to inline drill-down
reports.
To set up row grouping by fiscal year on an existing row set, including group headers:
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1. Navigate to the Row Sets > Detail > Row Definitions > List sheet.
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7. Click the Number header twice to sort the rows into numerical order.
8. In the Type field for the new row, select Group End.
9. Click the asterisk (*) to create a new row.
10. Renumber the row to come between the Group Start row and the data rows.
11. Right-click in the Description field and select the Group Start row expression: FiscalYear. Leave the
Expression field blank.
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13. You can also add the keyword to other row descriptions, for example in rows which display totals, to help
identify groups when you view the report.
14. Click the Number header twice to again sort the rows into numerical order.
Renumber Rows
As you have manually added some rows in between other rows, you can tidy up the irregular row numbers by
using the Renumber Rows function.
1. In the Tree View, select the row set.
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8. Click Save.
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9. A report which uses Row Grouping in the row set will group data by the field(s) specified in the Group Start
expression. In this example, the report is grouped by fiscal year.
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3. Use the Select Chart of Accounts drop-down list to select the chart of accounts you want to use to create
the row set.
4. Select from the three options on how you want to create rows.
Build Row Definitions using Account Categories Hierarchy - create rows based on account categories,
for example, ASSETS, GROSS PROFIT, and so on.
Build Row Definitions using Segment Values - create rows based on accounting segment values in
your chart of accounts, for example, natural account, department, cost center, and so on.
Construct Row Definitions using Sections - create rows based on partitions and sections that you
name.
In this example, you select Construct Row Definitions using Sections.
5. Click Next.
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2. In the Specify Partitions grid, click the asterisk (*) in the Number field.
A new partition line displays, with a number.
3. Enter a Partition Name.
4. Select the Reverse Sign check box if credit amounts for all accounts under the partition are expected to
display as positive values.
When you create the row set, a ReverseSign user property
(boolean) is created in the row set. You can then use the
value of user properties in cell expressions, for example
to show negative amounts as positive. The Reverse Sign
check box in the wizard does not actually reverse the sign
of financial data - it only determines whether the
ReverseSign user property is set to TRUE (selected) or
FALSE (cleared).
6. In the Specify Sections grid, click the asterisk (*) in the Number field.
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9. To load hard-coded partitions and sections based on a balance sheet or income statement report structure,
you can also click Load Balance Sheet Sections (default) or Load Income Statement Sections (default).
Once you have loaded the sections, you can still edit the
details if required.
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Fill Sections
1. The Row Set Wizard - Report Sections Filling window displays.
2. The grid on the left side displays the natural accounts available for selection.
3. The Balance Sheet Accounts and Income Statement Accounts check boxes enable you to filter the
available natural accounts by their type.
4. Select the Partition and Section where you want to place some accounts.
5. Select accounts in the left-hand grid, and click the Right Arrow button to add the accounts to the selected
section.
Hold Shift to select a range, or Ctrl to select discrete accounts.
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6. The selected accounts now transfer to the right-hand grid - they are now part of the section currently selected
in the Section field.
7. In the Specify if details for each account to be included in Report field, specify what row type will be
created for all the rows. Available options:
No details - Creates Account Sum rows in the row set.
Summarized by Natural Account - Creates Account List rows with only the first account segment
selected in the Settings field.
Full details - Creates standard Account List rows, where each unique GL account string displays on a
separate row.
8. When you have selected accounts for all sections in all partitions, click Next.
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2. In the Rows Formatting grid, you can format the display of levels in the row set.
3. When you generate the row set, three User Properties are created. The Level field gives the numeric value
that will populate the Level user property for each row type.
4. The Line Type field gives the value that will populate the LineType user property. There are always three
different line types in a row set created in the wizard:
Header
Footer
Summary or Details - depending on whether the data rows are Account Sum or Account List respectively.
5. There are three levels of row type:
Partition - Header or Footer.
Section - Header or Footer.
Summary or Details - This represents the data rows in the row set, of either Account Sum or Account
List type.
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6. Right-click in the Description field for a row type, to include other keywords in the header or footer.
7. In the Exposition field, you can specify what information the partition or section header or footer will
display in the row set. Available options:
Title Only - Displays only the description of the partition or section. This is the default for headers.
Title and Totals - Displays the description and the sum total for the partition or section (using a Row
Sum row). This is the default for footers.
Hide - The partition or section header or footer does not display.
8. In the Conditional Placeholders section, in the Value field, you can change the default text (if any) that
displays in Title Only or Title and Totals row descriptions. For example, Title and Totals footers display the
text Total by default.
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9. In the Indent size field, enter the amount of indent between each level on the report. The default is 2
characters.
10. Use the formatting toolbar to change the appearance of particular row types.
11. Select a row type in the grid, then change font, size, alignment or color on the toolbar.
12. When you finish formatting the row types, click Next.
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4. Click Save.
You can still edit the row set to make more specific
adjustments according to your requirements.
5. When you generate the row set, the three user properties are included. The LineType property corresponds
to the Line Type value in the Row Definitions Formatting window in the wizard. There are four possible
values:
Header (Partition or Section)
Footer (Partition or Section)
Details (Data)
Summary (Data)
6. Level - A number which corresponds to the Level value in the Row Definitions Formatting window in the
wizard.
7. ReverseSign - Check box which corresponds to the Reverse Sign setting specified in the Report Sections
Definition window in the wizard.
For details on user properties, see the User Properties section earlier in this chapter.
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Column Sets
Column sets define the horizontal dimensions of the data that displays within your advanced financial reports.
Through each column definition you create within a column set, you indicate what range and type of data will
appear in each row cell on the report. Note that each column definition defines all of the data that appears
vertically within each row cell running down the length of the report, but the entire column set indicates what
data displays horizontally across the report.
You can set up a range of options for display within each column. You can also specify in which currency each
column will display. The most typical columns you will create within your advanced financial report are the
following:
Account Balance (Actual or Budget)
Account
Account Description
Separate Debit and Credit Amount Columns You can then display the debits and credits for a single account
or a transaction within separate columns.
Mathematical Formulas Create these columns to combine other columns to display financial results like
variances and other information.
Just like row sets, you can also copy and paste column sets to reuse for similar reporting needs.
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3. Select the Base table option. The base table you select determines the items or details you can use on each
column you add within the column set. Available options:
Summarized balances The standard base table used for creating financial reports that display a Period
to Date or Year to Date balance report.
Transaction lines The base table you use to display details of individual financial transactions. This
type can only be used in conjunction with the predefined _Transaction_List_Row_Set.
4. In this example, select Summarized Balances and click OK.
5. The Column Sets > Detail sheet displays.
6. The Base table you selected displays in the top field on this sheet.
7. Enter the Name you want for the column set. Notice this text value cannot have any spaces.
Use the underscore (_) to represent spaces.
8. Optionally, select a Dictionary to enable use of common expressions in the column set.
9. Click the List sheet to see a summary of all the column sets currently open in the Report Designer.
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Create a Column
To create a column:
1. Click the Down Arrow next to the New button; select Column.
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2. Navigate to the Column Sets > Column Definitions > Detail sheet.
3. You can change the Number for a column, if you want to change the order of columns. The increment for
column numbers is 10.
4. The column Name is C[ColumnNumber] by default. You use the Name to refer to this column in expressions.
You can change the name if you want.
5. To complete the primary details for the column, enter a Header value. This value displays as the column
title on the report; it should define the values contained within the column. You can enter this value directly,
or right-click this field to include an expression.
In this example, you select the {Company.Name} dynamic expression. The column header will display the
name of the company from which the current financial data is pulled.
6. Accept the default for this column to include an underscore line.
7. Click the Currency drop-down list to select the financial data currency for the column. To convert values
to the report currency specified in the report parameters, select Report Currency. If you leave this field
blank, no currency conversions are performed on the columns data. If you specify a value in the Currency
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field, you must also select a book in the Book field. However, the currency you select is not restricted by the
book you select.
The currencies available in this field are taken from all the companies in the AFR financial database.
For more details on setting up the report parameters for
currency conversion, see the Report Design chapter.
8. Use the Visible drop-down list to determine whether the column displays on the final report. Available
options:
True - The column displays in the report.
False - The column does not display in the report.
Column.IsNotZeroOrEmpty - The column only displays if there is at least one field in the column which
contains a text value or non-zero integer.
Column.FromPeriod >= @FromPeriod - The column only displays if the column's Period From filter is
equal to or later than the FromPeriod value in report parameters.
Column.ToPeriod <= @ToPeriod - The column only displays if the column's Period To filter is equal to
or earlier than the ToPeriod value in report parameters.
<Expression...> - Opens the Expression Builder, where you can specify other parameters to create an
expression which evaluates as true or false.
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Unposted Balances
In Epicor ERP, unposted transactions are also saved. These transactions are replicated to a separate table in the
AFR financial database: GLJrnDtlUnpost . This table stores all unposted transactions in AFR. In turn, the
GLDailyBalUnpost and GLPeriodicBalUnpost tables store daily and periodic balances for unposted transactions
only.
Some report users require the ability to see posted balances separately from unposted balances. Therefore, in
the report parameters, you can select what kinds of balance data will display in the report - posted, unposted,
or both. However, in each column, you can override the report parameter. Therefore, you can create separate
columns to view posted and unposted balances side-by-side.
1. In a column definition, the Posted Status drop-down list enables you to select which kinds of balance the
column will display:
<Default> - Uses the posted status specified in the report parameters.
Posted - Only posted items are included in the balances.
Unposted - Only unposted items are included in the balances.
Both - both posted and unposted items are included in the balances.
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3. Select one of the Date or Parameters options. In this example, you select the Period option.
4. Use the Expression field to enter the year and period values manually.
5. The grid at the bottom of the window displays the values required to complete the expression.
6. If you entered values acceptable for the selected function, the ExpressionValid message displays in the
bottom left corner.
7. Click OK.
The expression you selected displays in the From field.
8. Repeat these steps to create an expression for the To field. This field indicates the date or fiscal period up
to which the current column will report.
You can continue to add filters and mathematical expressions to further define what financial data will
display within this column. These options are discussed in the next sections.
The following tables list the expressions available for filtering the financial data within the From and To fields.
They contain the available categories, functions, syntax, and descriptions.
Report Parameters
In the From and To fields, these parameters can only be used as arguments for functions which return a period
or date value.
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Parameter
Expression Syntax
Description
Example
Account
@Account
Parameter
Expression Syntax
Description
Book
@Book
@Currency
Example
USD
This example is for a currency
ID that would be used for
Cross Rate Conversions.
FromDate
@FromDate
FromPeriod
@FromPeriod
(@FromPeriod + 1)
Adds one fiscal period to the
reports @FromPeriod
parameter.
@ToDate
ToPeriod
@ToPeriod
(@ToPeriod 3)
Subtracts three fiscal periods
from the reports @ToPeriod
parameter.
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Date Parameters
These parameters are used as arguments for functions which eventually return a fiscal period. You can use these
parameters in conjunction with the previously described report parameters to build the period expression.
Parameter
Expression Syntax
Description
Date
Example
Date(Year(@FromDate) + 1)
Returns the next date one year
after the From Date value.
Now
Now()
CurrentPeriod
CurrentPeriod ()
CurrentPeriodLastYear CurrentPeriodLastYear
()
CurrentPeriodLastYear ()
PeriodStart
PeriodStart (<fiscal year, Indicates the first period from PeriodStart (2011, 2)
number>)
which financial data will be
pulled for display within the
current column.
PeriodEnd
Period
PeriodEnd (2011, 2)
PeriodFromDate
PeriodNumber
FiscalYear
FiscalYear(<period>)
FiscalYear (@ToPeriod)
Returns the fiscal year for the
current To Period value.
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Parameter
Expression Syntax
Description
Year
Year(<date>)
Month
Day
Day(<date>)
Example
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1. Click the ellipsis button (...) located next to the Accounts field.
2. The Expression Builder window contains similar options to the account filters you can set up for rows.
3. In the Categories pane, select between Accounts, Account Categories, and Dictionary.
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4. Click the Company drop-down list to define from which company the available options will come.
5. After you select the company, click the Chart of accounts drop-down list to select the chart of accounts
that contains the accounts or categories you want to use in the account filter.
6. Select values in the grid.
7. The Expression field displays the selection(s) you make.
8. Click OK.
9. The column Accounts field is populated.
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3. Locate and expand the Company tree for the company you want to use.
4. The COA Code node displays the available charts of accounts in the selected company.
5. From the COA Code tree, expand the chart of accounts you want to use.
6. The BookId tree displays the GL books which use the selected COA. Select the book you want to use to
filter the column.
For replicated financial data which does not include the
Book feature, for example Prophet 21, iScala and
Enterprise data, a single book value exists with a default
ID: 1.
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1. Enter the column expression in the Expression field. Enter this directly or click the ellipsis button (...).
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3. Use the Categories pane to select the items you want to place within your expression.
A large number of options is available; see the sections below for more details.
4. In this example, you select the Period Balance option under the Financial Data node.
5. The available keywords display in the Financial Data Selector pane.
6. Select a value, for example Opening Balance.
7. The Expression field updates.
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8. To add to the expression, click in the Expression field in the place where you want to add further details.
Enter symbols and select additional values as required.
9. If what you enter is valid, the ExpressionValid message displays in the bottom left of the window.
10. Click OK.
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Row Properties
Use these functions to include row information within your column expression. These functions are contained
under the Row node within the Categories pane.
Property
Expression
Syntax
Description
Example
Row expression
RowExpression
Row number
RowNumber
RowNumber
Returns the number of the
particular row.
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Property
Expression
Syntax
Description
Example
Account
description
AccountDescription
Returns both the account
number and the account
description.
Account
Account
Row.Account
Row.Account
Row.Book
Row.Book
Row.From
Row.From
Row.To
Row.To
User-defined
properties
Row.Character01 or
Row.Property1, where
Property1 is an alias.
Cell Properties
Use these functions to return values from a specific cell in the report. These functions are contained under the
Cell node within the Categories pane.
The effective filter is calculated by AND-ing the corresponding row and column filters (if defined) and the
corresponding report parameters (if some filters are not specified for the column or row) .
Property
Expression Syntax
Description
Cell.Account
Cell.Account
Returns the effective Account filter for the cell where this
expression is used.
Cell.Book
Cell.Book
Returns the effective Book filter for the cell where this
expression is used.
Cell.From
Cell.From
Returns the effective From filter for the cell where this
expression is used.
Cell.To
Cell.To
Column Properties
You use these functions to reference column information within your expression. These functions are contained
under the Column node within the Categories pane.
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Property
Expression Syntax
Description
Example
Column name
ColumnName(column
reference)
Column expression
ColumnExpression(column
reference)
Column number
ColumnNumber(column
reference)
ColumnAccountFilter
ColumnAccountFilter(column
reference)
ColumnBookFilter
ColumnBookFilter(column
reference)
ColumnBudgetFilter
ColumnBudgetFilter(column
reference)
ColumnToPeriodFilter(column
reference)
ColumnToDateFilter
ColumnToDateFilter(column
reference)
ColumnFromFilter
ColumnFromFilter(column
reference)
ColumnToFilter
ColumnToFilter(column
reference)
Description
Example
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Description
Example
Trunc
Trunc(numerical
expression)
Nan
Nan
Nan
Infinity
Infinity
Infinity
If
IF(logical expression,
value if true, value if
false)
Evaluates the logical expression and returns IF([C10] > [C20], Over
the second argument value if true; otherwise, budget!,)
it returns the third argument value.
True
True
False
False
References
You use these functions to reference cells and column information within the expression. These functions are
contained under the References node within the Categories pane.
Parameter
Expression
Syntax
Description
Example
[C10]
Column range
[Cs]:[Ce]
Column list
[Cn], ...[Cx]
Cell reference
[Rx,Cy]
Cell list
[Rx,Cy], [Ra,Cb]
Binary operators
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Field Expression
Example
BudgetAmt
BudgetAmt x (-1)
DebitAmount
GLPeriodBal
CreditAmount
GLPeriodBal
OpeningBalance
OpeningBalance
GLPeriodBal
OpeningDebitBalance
OpeningDebitBalance + DebitAmount
GLPeriodBal
OpeningCreditBalance
OpeningDebitBalance +
OpeningCreditBalance
Available fields in Transaction Lines column sets - all taken from the GLJrnDtl table:
Field Expression
Company
FiscalYear
JournalNum
JournalLine
Description
JEDate
FiscalPeriod
PostedDate
JournalCode
SegValue1
SegValue2
SegValue3
SegValue4
SegValue5
SegValue6
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Field Expression
SegValue7
SegValue8
SegValue9
SegValue10
SegValue11
SegValue12
SegValue13
SegValue14
SegValue15
SegValue16
BookID
FiscalYearSuffix
FiscalCalendarID
SysRowID
DebitAmount
CreditAmount
BookDebitAmount
BookCreditAmount
Dictionary Parameters
You use these functions to use the definitions set up within a selected dictionary for your expression. These
functions are all contained under the Dictionary node within the Categories pane.
If you want to create an expression based on a dictionary, you
must first create the dictionary. To learn about creating
dictionaries, review the Dictionaries section in the Report Design
chapter.
Parameter
Expression
Syntax
Description
Dictionary
definition
$definitionName
Example
$Movement
The definitions expression
is: DebitAmount +
CreditAmount
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3. The Column Expression Assistant Generate Multiple User-Defined Columns window displays.
4. In the Reporting Indicators section, use the check boxes on the left to select the accounting metrics you
want to include in the column set, for example Debit or Credit.
There are three possibilities for the text that is included in each column header:
Report Indicator
Abbreviation
Column Header Text
5. Use the Column Header Text field to enter your own text to include in the column header.
This takes precedence over the Report Indicator.
6. If you select Use abbreviation instead of Indicator Name when Column Header is not specified, the
Abbreviation field is used for columns whose Column Header Text is blank.
7. In all other cases, the Report Indicator field is used in the column header text.
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2. For Rolling Period ranges, enter a value in the No. of Periods field, to specify how many periods to cover.
The default is 12. The Rolling Period ranges create multiple columns.
3. The Split By field enables you to group periods together in a column. For example, for normal fiscal quarters,
enter 3. The default is 1, which means each period has a separate column.
4. The Progressive Total check box only applies to Reporting Indicators of the Change type, for example,
Net Change. If the check box is selected, each column displays cumulative values.
Progressive Total: For a twelve month period range, the
first column displays totals for period 1, the second
column for periods 1 and 2, and so on until the twelfth
column, which displays totals for the whole range.
5. The Hide when out of range check box is selected by default. This means a columns Visible field is set
to False if its period range is outside the From/To report parameters.
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2. Fiscal year selection works on the offset principle, relative to the Reporting Year - previous years have a
negative Offset value, later years have a positive value.
3. For Custom Year Offset, manually enter a numeric offset, in the Offset field, relative to the Reporting
Year - negative for preceding years, positive for subsequent years. In all other cases, the Offset field is
read-only.
4. Select the Full Fiscal Year check box for a year to force the use of the whole fiscal year as the period range
for that year. This overrides the Fiscal Period Range selection. This is used especially to compare balances
of different years.
5. Use the Difference and Difference, % check boxes to create columns to display the difference between
the selected fiscal year and the Reporting Year. These settings apply to all selected Reporting Indicators.
6. The system displays the number of columns to be generated.
7. Select the check box and Review them with XX generated before to launch the Review Generated
Columns window when you click OK. This enables you to review, rearrange or delete columns as required.
If you choose not to review the columns, the new columns
are created when you click OK, and display in the Report
Designer.
8. Click OK.
Review Columns
Review the columns to be generated, and make adjustments if required.
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1. If you chose to review the columns, the Column Expression Assistant - Review Generated
Columns window displays. Here you can review details of each column that will be created.
2. If you are creating Rolling Periods columns, the Split field displays the fiscal period groupings. For example,
1-3 means the column covers periods 1 through 3.
3. The Column Header field displays the text that will be used to create the column header expression. To
override this, manually edit this field.
4. Use the check boxes in the Reporting Indicator field to select columns to rearrange.
5. Use the Move Up, Move Down, Delete Marked, and Delete All buttons to rearrange or delete columns.
6. Click the Add Predefined Column Groups, Add Multiple User-Defined Columns, or Add Single
Column buttons to relaunch a version of the Column Expression Assistant to add in more new columns.
7. Click OK to generate the columns.
8. The new columns display in the Report Designer. On the List sheet, you can view all the columns created.
9. The Expression field is populated according to the Reporting Indicators selected in the assistant.
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10. The Header text for financial data columns also includes an expression to display the period range for the
column.
11. The Period From and Period To fields contain expressions based on the Fiscal Period Range settings you
selected in the assistant.
12. Review individual columns on the Detail sheet.
13. Note the Visible field is populated with an expression for certain column types, based on the Hide when
out of range setting in the assistant.
14. Click Save on the Standard toolbar.
You can still edit any columns if required.
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Use the check boxes to select which groups of columns to generate. There are distinct types of group:
4. Row Number and Description - Indicates if columns for Row Number and Row Description will be
generated.
5. Balances and changes - Indicates if balances and changes will be generated for each period range or
period range cluster. This type generates five reporting indicators for each :
Opening Balance
Debit Amount
Credit Amount
Net Change
Closing Balance
6. Balance compare to - Indicates if Closing Balance is compared to End of Previous Year, and/or Same To
Period of Previous Year.
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7. Net Change compare to - Indicates if Net Change is compared to Same Periods of Previous Year, and/or
Budget.
8. Budget Filter - Allows selection of a budget. This is only available when Net Change Compare To:
Budget is selected.
9. If you select Use abbreviation instead of Indicator Name, the abbreviation for each reporting indicator
is used in the Column Header text. You can see this if you review the columns below, or when you generate
the columns. For example, the abbreviation for Debit is Dr.
10. The system displays the number of columns that will be generated, based on the selections you have made.
11. Select the and Review them with XX generated before check box to launch the Review Generated
Columns window when you click OK. This enables you to review, rearrange or delete columns as required.
12. Click OK to generate the columns.
If you chose to review the columns, the Column Expression Assistant - Review Generated Columns
window displays. This is the same as described in the Generate Multiple User-Defined Columns section
above.
13. The new columns display in the Report Designer, on the List sheet.
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4. In the Reporting Indicator field, select the accounting metric you require for the column.
If you select Budget, the Budget Filter field enables, so you can select the required budget.
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5. In the Period Range field, select the required fiscal period range.
6. In the Fiscal Year Offset field, select the required fiscal year value, relative to the Reporting Year.
7. If you selected Custom Year Offset, also specify a value in the Offset Value field.
8. If you are creating a new column, the Replace Existing column header check box is selected, and cannot
be cleared. However, if you are updating an existing column, you can clear this check box to keep the existing
column header.
9. Select Use abbreviation instead of Indicator Name when Column Header is not specified to use the
Abbreviation in the column header, instead of the Reporting Indicator name.
10. In the field below the check boxes, review the expression that will be created.
11. Click OK.
12. The column displays in the column set.
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The Header, From and To fields are populated according to the selections you made in the assistant.
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3. On the General tab, select the check box Start Column Expressions Assistant for new columns.
4. Click OK.
Now, in a column set, when you select File > New > Column, or click the asterisk (*) to create a new
column, the Column Expression Assistant Single Column Update opens.
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1. From the Tools menu, select Wizards > Column Set Wizard.
3. Select the Identification Columns you require in the column set. Each selection will create a column with
the Identification Column name in the Expression field.
4. The Column Header Text will be used in the column header expression. You can edit this text manually.
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5. In the Generate columns for predefined set of amounts section, you can select various report types.
Based on this selection, certain Reporting Indicators, Period Ranges, and Fiscal Years are created in the
column set. For details of what columns are created for each set, review the Application Help.
6. Select Activate Column Expression Assistant to review and adjust columns if you want to review and
potentially edit the columns before generating the column set.
7. Click Next.
8. If you elected to activate the column expression assistant, the Column Set Wizard Review Generated
Columns window displays. This works in the same way as the Review Generated Columns window you
access in the Column Expression Assistant. For further details, review the Column Expression Assistant section
above.
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11. Enter a suitable name for the column set and click Finish.
12. The new column set displays in the Report Designer.
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3. In the Tree View, select any column set, then select Paste from the Edit menu.
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5. This window indicates that a dictionary may be connected to the copied column set; use this window to
indicate whether the new column set should make a copy of the connected dictionary.
If you clear the check box for connected elements, the
new column set will use the exact same connected
element, instead of a copy of it.
6. Click Paste.
7. A copy of the column set now displays in the Report Designer.
Select the column set to change the column set name, and modify column definitions as required.
8. Click Save.
Summary
Each advanced financial report contains various elements you create and define. The fundamental report elements
are the row set and the column set.
Each row set contains a series of rows, to display financial data, to sum other rows, or to format the layout with
lines and underscores. You enter an expression in each row used to pull in specific data. You do this by selecting
a row type that defines what appears on the row, then create an expression with the Expression Builder or enter
it manually.
Additionally, each row set can be linked to a drill-down report. When the report is launched, users can then click
rows in the report to display the drill-down report, either inline or in a separate window.
Row sets can also be constructed with the Row Set Wizard to assist in large or complicated row set definitions.
Column sets determine what aspect of the financial data displays in each column, for example, debit amounts,
credit amounts, or some more complex calculations. The combination of row set and column set determines
what data will display in each cell on the report.
To help with the cosmetic aspect of reports you can format the appearance and numeric format of each row
and column.
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Reports
To build a report definition, combine a row set and column set(s), and set the report parameters. You can
optionally include a reporting tree as well. All of the expressions defined on the rows and columns, as well as
any standard values pulled in through dictionaries and reporting trees, are then reflected in the report.
Row sets are typically used to specify which GL accounts you want to view in the report. Column sets define
what type of amounts we want to see at the intersection with each row, for example Debit or Credit, plus some
additional constraints.
You can also define global options and presentation options for each report, including currency conversion details.
Add report headers and footers to display simple static information, or dynamic details that change according
to the selected report parameters.
When you have created the report, you can evaluate it with the report preview option. If you are not satisfied
with the preview, you refine the generated information by modifying row sets, column sets, parameters, display
options, and so on, until the report displays the correct data in the way you require.
When you are satisfied with the report setup, generate an RDL file, which enables you to launch the report in a
web browser - this is how everyday report users will view their reports. Alternatively, you can generate the report
in Microsoft Excel.
Even if the report is ready, and can be viewed in Excel, or its RDL file can be viewed in a web browser, you can
further refine the RDL layout using either Microsoft SQL Server BI Studio or Microsoft SQL Server Report Builder.
Open the report RDL file in one of these tools and modify it so the report displays using additional formatting
and other attributes that you want. For more information on using these tools, review the Report Layout chapter.
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Create a Report
You begin by creating the overall report record. The first details you define are the report name, the row set,
and optionally the reporting tree you want to include. You also enter an overall description for the advanced
financial report.
To create a report:
1. Click the Down Arrow next to the New button; select Report.
7. Click the List sheet to view all the reports currently open in the Report Designer.
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Column Sets
Each report must have at least one column sets - multiple column sets are also an option. For example, you might
have a column set for one type of report, another column set for a second type report, and then a more
comprehensive report which combines both column sets to display more data in a single report. You add, organize,
and remove column sets to reports on the Column Sets ub-sheet below the Reports tab.
To assign column sets to your report definition:
1. Navigate to the Reports > Detail > Column Sets sheet.
2. Click Add.
3. The Search Column Sets window displays.
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8. To change the order in which the column sets will display on the report, select a column set in the grid and
click the Move Up or Move Down button.
9. To remove a column set from the report, select it on the grid and click the Delete.
10. When you have added column sets, click Save on the Standard toolbar.
You cannot combine Summarized Balances and
Transaction Lines column sets in one report.
Report Parameters
Parameters define which company and GL book, which period or date range, and which currency to use for the
report. You can also optionally set the default reporting tree node and account filter for the report as a whole.
These default values are applied when you open the report for viewing. You can change these values when you
view the report. These defaults enable you to see the report data as soon as you launch a report, so you don't
have to enter parameter values every time. If you
When you create a drill down report, it may not be necessary
to include report parameters, as these will be taken from the
parent report.
To define report parameter defaults:
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2. In the Account field, optionally specify a default value - an account or account category expression - to
filter the whole report.
3. In the Book field, select a company/book combination from the drop-down list.
You can select multiple books for a report.
4. To help select multiple books, select <Expression...> from the drop-down list.
5. The Expression Builder displays a list of available companies, with all applicable charts of accounts and
their GL books. You can select individual books as required.
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6. Select <ALL COMPANIES> to include all valid company/book combinations in the Book parameter. This is
represented by the wild card * (asterisk).
7. Select a book under the <ALL COMPANIES> node to include all company/book combinations for a specific
book. For this, use the expression *.BookID.
This is useful when you have many companies but all use the same GL book.
8. Click OK to confirm your selection.
9. In the Currency field, select the report currency from the drop-down list.
Available currencies come from the replicated data in the AFR financial database.
10. If the selected currency is not the base currency of the book(s) selected in the Book field, update the exchange
rates in the CurrencyConversions field.
11. Use the CrossRateCurrency to define a currency against which the conversion factors will be calculated.
12. Define date or period values in the From and To fields.
13. You can select a value from the drop-down list. Select <Expression...> to launch the Expression Builder
for assistance in selecting valid keywords.
14. In the Posted Status field, you determine whether the report will include data for Posted transactions,
Unposted transactions, or Both.
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This setting is only applicable to replicated financial data that includes data for unposted transactions, for
example Epicor ERP.
15. When you have defined the parameters, click Save on the Standard toolbar.
Available Parameters
The following table contains the available report parameters. It describes each parameter and displays examples
of possible values.
Parameter
Description
Example
Account
Book
Epic06.Main,
Epic03.Corporate
CrossRateCurrency Defines the cross-rate currency against which the conversion GBP
factors will be calculated.
Currency
CurrencyConversions Defines the exchange rate to convert the cross-rate currency USD * 1.00,EUR / 0.854
to other specified currencies.
From
Date(2010,07,16)
-orPeriod(2010,7)
To
ReportingTreeNode Defines the reporting tree node that is selected when you
run the report. If a reporting tree is attached to the report,
you can select a node name from the list.
Presentation Options
There are two presentation styles, which affect how you can select parameters when viewing the report in SSRS:
Standard, and Advanced.
Standard - With the Standard style, at report runtime, each parameter (except Reporting Tree Node) displays
in a simple text box above the report, in which you can manually type the required values, including currency
conversion details. The parameters are accompanied by a NULL check box, for when a field is left blank and
not in use.
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Advanced - The Advanced presentation style enables you to decide what kind of drop-down list, check box,
or calendar pop-up is available for each parameter at runtime, according to the particular report requirements.
For example, you can determine whether the reports book selection is multi-book, or restricted to just one
book. Similarly, you can decide whether to have drop-down lists to select the fiscal year and period, or a
calendar pop-up to select specific dates. You can also specify how currency conversion is executed for the
report. Set all these options in the Advanced Presentation Options section.
These settings do not apply to report preview or reports
generated in Excel.
To set advanced presentation options:
1. Navigate to the Reports > Detail > Parameters sheet.
3. Select a Book selection type from the drop-down list. See the Book Selection Type section below for
details.
4. Select a Period/Date range selection type from the drop-down list. See the Period and Date Range
Selection Type section below for details.
5. Select the Use Fiscal Year combo-box check box to include a drop-down list for selecting the fiscal year
in the report at runtime. If you clear this check box, the fiscal year must be entered manually.
6. Select the Use Fiscal Period Number combo-box check box to include a drop-down list for selecting the
fiscal period at report runtime.
7. In the Currency Conversion Definition field, determine how currency conversions will be performed in
the report. The following options are available:
No Currency Conversions - Recommended when currency conversions are not required in the report.
The typical case is for a single-book report in the book currency, or a multi-book report where all the
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book currencies are the same. If this option is selected, currency conversion parameters do not display
in the Report Viewer at runtime.
Simple Currency Conversion Definition - Recommended when currency conversions are required,
but currency exchange rates are not replicated into the AFR financial database. In the report parameters,
enter the report currency and cross-rate currency, and enter exchange rates in the CurrencyConversions
field.
Advanced Currency Conversion Definition - Recommended when currency conversions are required,
and exchange rates are replicated from the source ERP application, and can be used to extract defaults
for conversion factors. With advanced conversion, you can select currency related settings in the Report
Viewer at runtime.
8. Click Save on the Standard toolbar.
For more details on setting parameters in reports at runtime, see Chapter 8: Report View and Use.
Single Book - Separate Company and Book combo-boxes - Two separate drop-down lists on the report,
one for selecting a single company, the other for selecting a single book. The books available depend on the
company selected:
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Single Book - Company combo-box only - A single drop-down list on the report, where you can select
only a company. The main book in the company is automatically used for the report. This option is ideally
suited to companies with only one book:
Multiple Books - Combined Company.Book combo-box - A single drop-down list on the report, with a
separate check box for each Company.Book combination. This enables you to select multiple books to display
on the report:
Multiple Books - Company combo-box only - A single drop-down list on the report, with a separate check
box for each company. This enables you to select multiple companies. The main book in each company is
automatically used for the report. This option is ideally suited to companies with only one book:
Predefined Book(s) - The report is executed for the book(s) specified in the report parameters. You cannot
change the selection at when viewing the report.
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From/To Periods (One Fiscal Year) - Select one fiscal year, and specify From Period and To Period values:
To Period/Duration - Select To Fiscal Year and To Period values, specify the Duration Type (Periods or Fiscal
Years), and set the duration:
YTD/Balance - Select a Reporting Fiscal Year, and a To Period value. Suitable for YTD and balance reports,
for example, Trial Balance:
From/To Date - Select a date range using the calendar pop-ups in the From Date and To Date fields:
Cut-Off Date/Duration - Select a date using the calendar pop-up in the To Date field, specify the Duration
Type (Days, Weeks, or Month), and set the Duration:
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Options
You can set global report options on the Options sheet. These set the default format on the report. However,
you can override the default format on individual rows, or on individual columns.
To define the report options:
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2. If you select the Hide rows with zero values check box, any financial data rows where all values are zero
will not display when you run report.
if you create rows of type Account Sum or Account List,
but leave their Expression field empty, these rows always
display. The enables you to use such rows as section
headers within your reports.
3. In the Numeric Format section, set defaults for the display of numbers on the report. for example, the
number of decimal places to display. You can also set specific formats for individual rows in a row set. See
the Set Column Numeric Format section in the Row and Column Sets chapter above for details of the options.
4. In the Wrap negative numbers in fields, optionally enter characters, for example parentheses, to display
negative numbers.
5. Select an option from the Show zero as drop-down list As is, Blank, or String.
6. If you select String, an extra field displays, where you can enter the symbol you want to represent zero.
7. Enter a Thousand separator symbol if required. If not, thousands display without a separator, for example,
11599.
8. Enter a Currency symbol to use for financial values on the report. Select the Show currency after value
check box to display the symbol after financial values, instead of in front.
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9. In the Rounding option field, select from No Rounding, Nearest Hundred, Thousands, Milllions, and
Billions. To round to whole numbers, combine the Rounding selection with the Decimal Places selection.
10. Increase or decrease the default number of Decimal places.
11. In the Date / Fiscal Period Formatting section, you can set defaults for the display of dates and fiscal
periods on the report. The formats you define here override the defaults for the whole AFR financial database,
which you can define on the Settings > Default Formats sheet. See the Designer Settings and Tools chapter
for details on the available options.
12. In the Page orientation section, select either Portrait or Landscape. The default is Portrait.
13. In the Paper size field, select an alternative size from the drop-down list. The default is A4. If you select
another size, the Width and Height fields update.
14. Alternatively, you can manually change the page Width and Height. The values are in inches. If you do,
the Paper size field changes to Custom.
15. Click the Save button on the Standard toolbar.
16. If your changes to the page orientation or size mean the report columns are wider than the page width, a
Save message displays, prompting you to choose whether to shrink the column widths.
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17. You can view the current column widths, and their relation to the overall page width, on the Reports >
Detail > Body sheet.
Body
The Reports > Detail > Body sheet displays the current width of columns in your report definition, in relation to
the page width. You can manually shrink or widen each column, or use the Fit Columns functionality to
automatically fit column widths to the page width.
The Body sheet works together with the Page Orientation and Page Size settings on the Report > Options sheet.
If you select a smaller page size on the Options sheet, the system prompts you to decide whether to shrink column
widths to fit the new page size. Updated page sizes then display on the Body sheet.
To change column widths:
1. In the Tree View, select the report whose column widths you want to adjust.
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7. To make the columns fit the current page width exactly, select Fit Columns from the Actions menu.
8. The new columns widths display, and the columns fit the page width.
9. Navigate to the Reports > Detail > Options sheet.
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9. To change the display format of a header or footer row, select the row you want to adjust.
10. Use the buttons on the formatting toolbar to change the font, alignment, and color settings.
11. You can also adjust the width of header and footer sections. Click and drag the divider to the right of a
section to drag it to a new width.
12. A dotted line marks the current page width, based on the Page orientation and Page size settings on the
Reports > Detail > Options sheet.
13. To automatically resize the header and footer section widths to fit the page width, select Fit Header and
Footer from the Actions menu.
14. When you finish setting up headers and footers, click Save.
Description
Output Example
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{FiscalYear.Period}
Displays the fiscal year for the FromPeriod or ToPeriod value 2012
in report parameters.
{Book.Name}
Defines a comma delimited list of book names based on the Main Book1, Book 2
Book field in report parameters.
{Book.CurrencyCode}
{Book.ID}
{ColumnSet}
Defines a comma delimited list of column set names linked Column set 1, Column set
to the report.
2
{Company.Name}
{Company.ID}
{ColumnSet}
Defines a comma delimited list of column set names linked Column set 1, Column set
to the report.
2
{NodeName}
MAIN, CONS
ANZ Region
Expression Syntax
Description
Output Example
{Page}
{PageCount}
10
{ReportName}
Balance Sheet
{ReportDescription}
{ReportTree}
Displays the name of the reporting tree linked to the report. Regions
{RowSet}
BalanceRow, RowSet2
{Today}
08-16-2010
{Now}
Displays the current time and date in the format you select 2012-07-13 16:54:35
in the submenu.
{User}
Report Preview
After you design a report, you can preview the results directly in the Report Designer. Use the report preview to
verify the report displays the data you want. The preview also displays the formatting you applied to rows,
columns, headers and footers. If the report has issues with its data or presentation, you can adjust the report
definition, then preview the report again.
You can use a different AFR financial database for the preview function. This can be useful if you want to keep
the preview data static, using a database that doesn't update with live, changing data. Also, you may want to
use a different database for security reasons.
When you are satisfied with the data displayed on the report preview, you can either generate the report in
Microsoft Excel or you can upload a Report Definition Language file (RDL) for the report. These RDL files contain
the parameters of the data the report will extract from the database when it displays in a web browser via the
Report Server. You can launch these files from the Report Designer as well. If you want to make further changes
to the report layout, you can refine the look of the report in either Microsoft SQL Server Report Builder or
Microsoft SQL Server BI Studio . After you make changes to this report with these layout tools, you can then
upload the RDL file and launch the report in a web browser for final verification.
To learn a little more about using the Microsoft BI Studio layout tool, review the Report Layout chapter.
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1. From the Tree View, select the report you want to preview.
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4. The Parameters you set up on the report display in the top section of this window. You can change the
values in these fields to test the data results.
5. If you defined values for the Header on the report definition, these values display above the report body.
6. The account descriptions, amounts, column headers, and other information display in the report body. As
you change the parameters on the report, the data that displays updates within this table.
7. If you defined values for the Footer on the report definition, these values display below the report body.
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8. To change the parameters, click in the Expression field of a specific parameter and select an option from
the drop-down list. You can also enter values manually.
9. Click the Refresh button to update the window. Data that matches the new parameter now displays on
the report.
10. When you finish checking the preview, click Close.
Reporting Trees
Reporting trees are hierarchies of filters you attach to report definitions. At runtime, you can select a reporting
tree node to filter the report. Reporting trees use elements from general ledger account segments, and logical
expressions based on database fields, to define subsets of data by which to filter the financial report. Specific
logic determines the relationship between parent and child nodes in the reporting tree hierarchy. The data each
node gathers depends on its position in the hierarchy and the child node filters below it.
Reporting trees determine the data that displays on each node using both AND logic and OR logic. Any parent
nodes above a child node use AND logic, while any child nodes below the same node use OR logic. The child
nodes act as filters that define the selected financial data. For example, you create a reporting tree that gathers
financial data for restaurants and bakeries within an international hotel chain. This reporting tree starts with
Country as the root, parent node, Hotels as the first child node, and Restaurants and Bakeries within each Hotel
as the second-level child nodes, and the Bars contained within each Restaurant as a third level child node. When
you generate a financial report that uses this reporting tree for a specific hotel, the filter value from the root
Country node is added to the filter value of the Hotel node. Data for the bakeries, restaurants, and bars only
displays for the selected hotel, within the selected country.
You can create account and expression filters on each node, to define the data selected by the reporting tree.
These expression filters limit the report to displaying financial data that match the filter. The Parent and Child
Node Logic section below explores this functionality.
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Use the sheets under the Reporting Trees tab to create, modify, and delete reporting trees and manipulate the
parent and child nodes which define the overall hierarchy and filter expressions contained within each reporting
tree.
You can also use the Reporting Tree Wizard to set up reporting trees with multiple levels, all in a few simple
steps. The Reporting Trees that are generated can be automatically produced with the wizard, based on the
companys chart of accounts structure and the settings selected in the wizard.
7. When you finish defining the main details of your reporting tree, click Save on the Standard toolbar.
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Create a Node
Each node defines the particular accounts, account categories, dictionary definition, and/or logical expression by
which to filter data. When you use a reporting tree on a report, the nodes define the filters. You can arrange
nodes in a parent-child arrangement, which enables increased filtering as you proceed down the hierarchy.
This example illustrates how to create a node to filter by a particular department (in the Account field), and fiscal
period (in the Expression field).
To create a new reporting tree node:
1. Click the Down Arrow next to the New button and select Reporting Tree Node.
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7. Select the Company and Chart of Accounts you want to use for the Account expression.
8. In this example, you select the Division segment in the AccountBuilder grid.
9. You can now select the Values of segment <'Selected Segment'> sheet in the Available
accounts/segments section.
10. In the grid, select the segment value(s) you require.
11. The Expression field updates according to your selection.
The following expressions are available for use within a reporting tree node:
Type
Example
Account
1000-01-20
Account list
Account range
1000:1599
Category
#ASSETS
Category list
#LIAB_EQUIT,#NET_INCOME
Dictionary definition
$AP_Accounts
12. When you finish, click OK. For more information on how to use the controls on the Expression Builder,
review the previous Define the Columns Accounts and Row Expressions sections in Chapter 4: Row and
Column Sets.
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13. You can also specify a logical expression for the node, based on database fields. To help create the expression,
click the ellipsis button (...) next to the Expression field.
15. In the Categories pane, select the table from which to use a database field.
16. In the FinancialDataSelector pane, select the required database field.
17. Click OK.
18. To review the nodes available within the current reporting tree, click the List sheet. All the nodes available
within the reporting tree display in the grid. You can edit the nodes here as well.
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19. Create and modify nodes as required. When you finish, click Save on the Standard toolbar.
2. Click and drag this node onto another parent node to create a child relationship. In this example, you make
the Sales node a child node of the East_Division node. This relationship displays in the Tree View.
3. To review all of the child nodes you have placed under a parent node, select a parent node in the Tree View,
then navigate to the Child Nodes sheet.
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4. The child nodes display in the grid. You can modify the values in the grid as well.
5. Arrange all nodes as you need. When you finish, click Save on the Standard toolbar.
Level
Account or Expression
Effective Filter
-East_Division
*-00
*-00
--Sales
*-*-10
*-00-10
---2014
FiscalYear = 2014
---2015
FiscalYear = 2015
----January2015
FiscalPeriod = 1
Notice the parent nodes in this table share a logical AND relationship with the nodes above them up to the top
level node. If you create a node with the Account and Expression fields blank, when you select this node in a
report, any child nodes of the selected node apply with OR logic.
The following example illustrates the use of empty nodes. The Effective Filter column displays the filter that applies
when you select the node in a report.
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Node
Level
-USA
*-11
--EastCoast
---Boston
*-*-01
*-11-01
---NewYork
*-*-02
*-11-02
---Philadelphia
*-*-03
*-11-03
--WestCoast
---LosAngeles
*-*-14
*-11-14
---SanFrancisco
*-*-15
*-11-15
---SanDiego
*-*-16
*-11-16
*-11
*-11-01 OR *-11-02 OR *-11-03
2. From the Edit menu, select Copy. The reporting tree is now copied to your clipboard.
3. Select the Reporting Trees node.
4. From the Edit menu, select Paste.
5. The Copying a reporting tree window displays. This window indicates that various elements are connected
to the copied reporting tree; use this window to indicate a copy of these elements should be included in
the copied element.
6. To also make a copy of the dictionary linked to the reporting tree, select the Dictionary check box.
7. Click Paste.
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8. A copy of the reporting tree now displays. You can change the Name of the reporting tree, modify expressions
on each node, and modify the parent/child node structure to reflect what you need in the new reporting
tree.
9. Click Save.
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6. The Max Length field displays the maximum length of values for the selected segment. This field is read-only.
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7. In the Effective Length field, you can specify a shorter length than the Max Length. If you do, the node
expressions for that level use the * wildcard to the right of the effective length.
8. Select the Catch-All check box to create an extra node which captures all segments not available at the
time of generation. This is important for dynamic segments, especially if they are linked to ERP entities.
9. The Node Name Template enables you to determine how each node is named. Right-click to select from
the available keywords:
[Level] The level in the reporting tree.
[SegmentNo] The segment number, taken from the chart of accounts.
[SegmentName] The segment name, as displayed in the Source Segment field.
[XXXX] The effective segment value of the node.
[AccountMask] The effective account mask for the node.
Each node must have a unique name. If the template you
enter does not enable this, an error message displays
when you create the reporting tree.
Other text displays as written.
10. Click Next.
11. The Reporting Tree Wizard Create Reporting Tree window displays.
12. Enter a name for the reporting tree, or keep the default which displays.
13. Click Finish.
14. The new reporting tree displays in the Report Designer, complete with nodes, parent/child relationships,
and account expressions.
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Dictionaries
Dictionaries contain reusable definitions for expressions which can be maintained in one place, and referred to
from other expressions by their alias. You create dictionaries when you need to reuse a set of parameters within
multiple reports. A specific dictionary can be selected on row sets, column sets, and reporting trees. Then, when
you create report elements, for example a row set, you can reuse the definitions within the row expressions,
instead of having to recreate them every time.
Each dictionary contains primary information that describes its purpose. You can then add multiple definitions
as you need, to cover the various expressions you might want to reuse.
Sections in the Row and Column Sets chapter describe how you select a dictionary within a report element. Each
row set, column set, and reporting tree can only have one dictionary assigned.
Some examples of dictionary use include:
To create your own account categories and use them throughout several reports.
To create a shortened name for long expressions, to avoid mistakes and to simplify report editing.
Create a Dictionary
You define the primary information for a dictionary on the Dictionary > Detail sheet.
To create a dictionary:
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1. Click the Down Arrow next to the New button; select Dictionary.
6. The current dictionaries display within the grid. If you want, you can modify the Name and Description of
each dictionary.
7. When you finish creating and modifying a dictionary, click Save on the Standard toolbar.
Create a Definition
Definitions are elements that pull in data through expressions you create. In effect, a definition is a user-defined
keyword used to represent a set of data, such as a series of accounts, a mathematical expression, or some other
item that you often use in different places. So, instead of having to enter a the same complex expression every
time you need it, you can just enter a short definition name. Each dictionary can contain multiple definitions, so
you can build custom dictionaries to use on various row sets, column sets, and reporting trees. Create definitions
to pull in consistent data across your advanced financial reports.
To create a dictionary definition:
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1. Click the Down Arrow next to the New button; select Definition.
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6. The Categories section contains the various functions available within the Report Designer. The Row,
Column, Math, Date, Accounts, Account Categories, and Dictionary functions are described in the
previous chapter; review these sections for details and examples of these functions.
7. Create the expression you need by selecting the functions and then modifying them within the Expression
field. In the example, you select Accounts to create an account expression.
8. Click OK.
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9. Repeat these steps to create all the dictionary definitions you need. You can review all of these definitions
on the List sheet.
10. All of the definitions for the current dictionary display in grid.
11. When you finish creating and modifying the definitions for the current dictionary, click Save on the
Standard toolbar.
When you select this dictionary in a row set, column set, or reporting tree, you can then use dictionary definitions
in expressions and fields.
Copy a Dictionary
Like other report elements, you can copy dictionaries. You use this feature when you want to create a new
dictionary similar identical to an existing one. Once you make the copy, modify it to reflect the specific requirements.
To copy a dictionary:
1. In the Tree View, select the dictionary you want to copy.
2. From the Edit menu, select Copy. The reporting tree is now copied to your clipboard.
3. From the Edit menu, select Paste.
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You can now make changes to the copied dictionary and its definitions as you need.
You can also copy, paste, and delete individual definitions.
Use Shift to select a range of definitions, or Ctrl to select
discrete items
Report Security
You indicate which Windows users and groups have access rights to each report through the Security sheet. Two
levels of security rights are available. You can indicate which users and groups have View rights, which means
these selected users/groups can launch and review an AFR report, but cannot make changes to it. You can also
assign Edit rights; users assigned this security level can both view and change the report. Only existing Windows
accounts for users and groups can be entered on this sheet.
When you create a new report, a default edit account and view account are automatically added to the Security
sheet. You enter which accounts appear by default within the Settings window on the General panel. For more
information about these fields, review Chapter 6: Designer Settings and Tools.
When users are not assigned either View or Edit rights and they try to launch the report, they will receive an error
message. For reference, this message lists the users and groups who do have access to the report.
Security Setup
When AFR is installed, an AFR Administrator login is defined, which automatically populates with the Windows
credentials for the current user. This user then has access to the Security sheet and can assign users and groups
access rights to specific reports. For all other users, the Security sheet is hidden.
This security information is stored in a report definition database table. The data is encrypted and so is protected
from tampering. If AFR detects any tampering with its secure information, an error message displays.
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1. Click the Down Arrow next to the New button; select View Access.
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3. A new row displays in the Edit rights pane. Enter the group or user account you want to give Edit rights.
4. Click Save on the Standard toolbar.
When you navigate away from this row, the account is validated against existing Windows accounts to make
sure the account exists. Repeat these steps to add all the users/groups for whom you want to grant Edit rights
on the selected element.
Copy a Report
Report definitions can be copied so you can rapidly create a report similar to the original report definition. You
have the option of making a copy of the row set, drill-down reports, column sets, and reporting tree elements
from the original report, or you can elect to use the exact same elements.
To copy a report definition:
1. In the Tree View, select the report you want to copy.
2. From the Edit menu, select Copy. The report is now copied to your clipboard.
3. From the Edit menu, select Paste.
4. The Copying a report window displays. This window indicates the various elements connected to the
copied report definition. If you select an item, a copy is made of that element. If you clear the check box
for an item, the new report will use the original element - the exact same element as used in the report
from which you are copying.
5. Click Paste.
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7. If you selected not to copy an element, the original element is used in the new report.
8. If you did select to copy an element, a new element is created, with the Copy_Of_ prefix.
9. Click Save on the Standard toolbar.
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2. Click the Generate RDL File button on the Standard toolbar, or from the Actions menu, select Generate
RDL file.
3. The Rdl generator window displays.
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9. If you want, you can also link, or map, specific elements from the selected template .RDL file onto different
sections of your report. Use this functionality to fine tune which elements from the template .RDL file are
used for different sections of the generated report. To do this, click the Style Map sheet.
10. Select the Target Table from the template .RDL file that contains the elements you want to map.
11. Indicate which area of the report you are mapping different styles by selecting one of the Tablix part
options. You can map to the Header, Detail, or Footer sections of the report.
12. Use the ReportColumn list to select a column from the report. When you generate the report, this column
will use the style from the selected Template column.
13. Select the Template table that contains the alternate style you want to use. All of the tables available on
the template .RDL file display on this list.
14. To complete the style map, select an element from the Template column. This element uses the style you
want to substitute for the selected Report column.
15. If you are only making parameter and style map changes to an existing .RDL file, click Save.
RDL Parameters
Use the RDL Parameters sheet to set options for the particular RDL file you are generating. By default, the
parameters come from the Reports > Parameters sheet in the Report Designer, but you can change them for
each particular RDL generation.
1. To change presentation options for this particular RDL generation, click the RDL Parameters sheet.
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6. Whenever you select an RDL file in the Tree View, the RDLs sheet displays.
RDL Merge
The RDL Merge tool facilitates keeping RDLs up to date with changes made to the report definition in the AFR
Report Designer. Whenever a new element, for example a column, is added to a report definition, the user does
not have to edit the related RDL file and add the column there also, nor generate a new RDL and re-apply any
customization. Instead, the user can either let the system make automatic updates to the RDL, or specify which
column the new column should take its formatting and style from (left or right). Also, if the user has added
customization to the existing RDL file which conflicts with AFR requirements to support styles defined in the
Report Designer, the RDL Merge tool assists the user to make decisions on whether they want to keep the
customization, or reset it with an expression required to support such styles.
The RDL Merge tool is invoked when the user clicks Save in the Report Designer and any of the following
conditions are true:
A column is added or removed.
Column width is changed on the Reports > Detail > Body sheet.
A Header/Footer row is added or removed.
Header/Footer column width or row height is changed.
Save or Save and Merge RDLs is selected on the Save toolbox sub-menu.
The Merge on Save option on the RDLs sheet has changed from None to either Manual or Automatic
since the last save.
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The drill-down mode has changed to or from Inline since the last save. If this was the only change made, the
RDL Merge window does not display, but the merge still takes place.
The RDL Merge does not detect changes made in the RDL file
itself. Therefore, if you make changes to the RDL outside the
AFR Report Designer, for example in MS SSRS Report Builder,
the RDL Merge tool is not invoked if you save the report
definition.
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1. The example report has three columns. The Reports > Detail > Body sheet displays their current width.
2. When you run your report in SSRS, there are three columns, each with distinct formatting.
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4. Click Save.
5. In the report's column set, create a new column.
6. Click Save.
7. If the Save window displays, prompting you to decide whether to shrink columns to fit the page size, click
Yes to shrink columns
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10. When you run the report in SSRS, the new column has the same formatting as the column adjacent to the
left.
The next section looks at the extra steps required when the Merge on Save setting is Manual.
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2. On the report's RDLs sheet, set the Merge on Save field to Manual.
3. In the report's column set, add a new column and make some formatting changes, for example to the font
color and background.
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7. Elements subject to the RDL Merge tool display in the tree view on the left.
8. In the lower grid, the Existing RDL properties display. For example, the existing column widths display.
9. In the upper grid, the Result RDL properties display. If you click OK now, these settings will be used to
update the resulting RDL file. For example, column widths are adjusted to fit all columns on the page.
10. By default, most settings for the new column are taken from the left adjacent column.
11. Alternatively, you have the option to retain the existing setting for a particular item. For example, in the
Width field for one column, select Existing.
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12. The other column widths update accordingly to fit the page size.
13. In the fields for the new column, select AFR Generated to use the formatting you set for the new column
in the Report Designer, instead of taking the formatting from the left adjacent column.
14. When you have selected the required settings, click OK.
The Merge tool closes, and the RDL file is updated.
15. When you launch the report in SSRS, the new column displays, formatted according to the settings in the
Merge tool.
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there. You may require this function if you have modified an RDL file outside the Report Designer, for example
in MS SSRS Report Builder, and you want to make sure it is in sync with the report definition.
If discrepancies are found, the Merge window displays in the same way as it would if the Merge on Save option
was set to Manual.
Convert RDLs
Use the Convert RDLs command on the Actions menu to convert previously-customized RDL files to the latest
version of AFR. This is only necessary in certain special circumstances.
The Convert RDLs command is only available when you select either a report node or an RDL node in the Tree
View.
An example scenario in which this command could be required is:
A report definition is imported into AFR without an RDL file.
An old-version RDL file for the report is placed in the SSRS directory via an external application, namely MS
Visual Studio or MS Report Builder.
Select the Refresh RDL list command from the Actions menu.
Select Convert RDLs from the Actions menu.
In general it is not necessary to convert RDLs when you upgrade
to a new version of AFR.
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7. When you are ready to display the runtime version of the report, select View report option from the Actions
menu. For more information on displaying reports, review Chapter 8: Report View and Use.
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Summary
The Report Designer contains key features you use to ensure reports access and display data using a consistent
structure. You can create reporting trees that define a filter hierarchy; data that matches the selected filter is
then pulled into the report. Reporting trees can be used on multiple reports, ensuring you can use the same filters
across various financial reports. You can also set up dictionaries with multiple definitions to reuse a large set of
parameters like similar account expressions and logical calculations. You create dictionaries when you need to
reuse the same set of parameters within multiple reports.
When you have created the row set, column sets, and reporting trees, you can then assemble these various items
into a report. To create a report, you select the row set used on the report. You then select one or more column
sets and modify their sequence to determine how the data within the row set will display on the report. You can
also add a reporting tree to filter data on the report.
Set the report parameters to determine defaults for the company and GL books, fiscal periods, and currencies
included in the report, and set the presentation options, to determine how parameters are selected at report
runtime.
When you finish the design, you are ready to preview and view your financial report. Use the preview to verify
your report setup displays the correct financial information in the format you need.
Once the report definition is complete, you can upload an RDL file to the reporting server, which you can then
launch in a web browser, to view the final report. The RDL Merge tool enables you to make changes to a report
definition and automatically update its RDL file, or manually select how to update certain items in the RDL file.
If required, you can use either Microsoft SQL Server BI Studio or SQL Server Report Builder to further fine tune
the report layout.
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The next time users log into the Report Designer to create reports, these templates are available. When you are
ready to upload an RDL file for a report definition, select Generate RDL File from the Actions menu. You can
then select the desired template from the Template drop-down list in the RDL Generator > Parameters window.
You can also create templates using Microsoft SQL Server
Report Builder. This application has a simpler interface - you
may find it easier to use for designing report templates which
are not overly complex. If you use this application, be sure to
save the template RDL files to the RDL Templates folder
described in the following section. Users can then select this
template from the Template drop-down list.
Main Menu Path: Start > All Programs > Epicor Software > Advanced Financial Reporting > Report
Designer
4. Enter the Report name you want for the template file.
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5. To include the template in the Template File list for future selection, you must indicate the location of the
RDL template folder in the Save to folder field. Click the ellipsis button (...) to select a path.
The usual path is: Program Files\Epicor
Software\AFR\RDL Templates. You can save the
template RDL file to another folder, but this template file
will not display as an option in the Template File
drop-down list. Instead, users will have to browse to the
correct folder to find the file.
6. You finish the template by adding image files and other default items to the template within Microsoft
Visual Studio. To automatically launch this application after you upload the report definition to the template
folder, select the Edit the generated RDL check box.
7. Click Upload.
You receive a message that the upload process was successful. After you close this message window, the
RDL Generator window closes.
8. If you selected Edit the generated RDL, Microsoft SQL Server BI Studio launches, displaying the generated
RDL file. Use this application to define the default layout you want for the RDL file which will be used as a
template. The rest of this chapter describes some of the report items and data regions you can add to an
RDL file.
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9. The next time you generate an RDL file, your new template is an option on the Template file drop-down
list.
Pre-Defined Reports
A set of pre-defined reports is available for download from EpicWeb for use with Advanced Financial Reporting.
The report files are exported into xml format, and include pre-formatted RDL files.
Once you have downloaded and saved the reports package from EpicWeb, you can import the file into the Report
Designer, then tailor them to the requirements of your company. For example, you will need to adjust the accounts
referenced in certain report rows.
To import the pre-defined reports:
1. From the File menu, select Import > Exported AFR Reports.
3. In the File Path field, click the ellipsis button (...) to search for the xml file you want to import.
4. Select the Include RDLs check box to include the pre-formatted RDL files.
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5. Click OK.
6. The report and its elements display in the Report Designer.
7. On the Reports > Detail > General sheet, the Description field displays instructions on how to modify the
report to fit your companys requirements.
8. Click Save on the Standard toolbar.
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1. From the Tree View, select the report RDL file you want to work on.
2. From the Actions menu, select Edit RDL, or double-click on the RDL node in the Tree View.
3. The RDL launches in Microsoft BI Studio - the AFR Microsoft Visual Studio window displays.
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5. The number of columns which display is based on the report's column set(s). The column header row and
the data rows all have the Expr phrase inside each cell on the report table.
You are now ready to fine-tune the look and feel of the report.
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1. Select an existing text box. Notice the items borders display, and each side of the item has dimension handles
(the white squares).
2. To change the size of the box, click and drag a dimension handle.
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3. You can enter some default text that displays each time this report generates.
4. Click the four-way arrow handle to drag the item to another position on the report.
Remember to save your changes periodically.
2. From the Parameters section in the Tree View, drag the Book item onto the report layout.
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3. The text box now displays on the report with the @Book parameter.
4. Another simple example is to use the Page Number and Total Pages keywords from the Built-in Fields
section.
This will display the current page and total number of pages, for example, 1 / 5.
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1. All the current report RDL files available within the AFR project display within the Reports folder in the
Solution Explorer pane.
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Data Regions
Data regions display financial data in a graphical way that better communicates some aspect of the information
on the report. Data regions are linked to specific datasets that exist within the report definition, and so they
contain field values pulled in from these selected datasets.
Several types of data regions are available on AFR reports. Available options:
Table Table data regions organize selected data through a grid format. The grid contains columns that
separate the data into different types, while each row below the columns displays data contained within a
specific record.
Chart Chart data regions display a graphical representation of the financial data. Several chart types are
available, and each organizes the data values through different groups that graphically illustrate relationships
between the data. The visual options on each chart are defined through scale breaks, custom attributes,
custom palettes, secondary axes, and data point tooltips.
Matrix Similar to a table, a Matrix data region contains columns and rows. However, Matrix data regions
can group together rows through aggregated data summaries, placing related records together under a
different header you can then expand and review.
List A List data region displays a customized group of fields that pull data from a single report database
table. You can add text boxes inside the List data region that display the data you want from selected fields
within the database table.
Gauge Gauge data regions measure and display financial data through either a radial or linear configuration.
Each gauge is typically linked to one or more data points. Each gauge can also be placed on its own within
the report. A gauge can also be embedded within a tablix data region.
Tablix (Table + Matrix + List) This data region displays its data in a grid format, either grouped through
aggregated data summaries from a Matrix, or freely formed through an open List.
Add a List
You use the Toolbox to add a list to the report. To add a list:
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4. To define the table from which you will pull the data for the list, click the edge of the list to display the gray
bars.
7. In the Dataset name field, select the dataset to use for this data region. You can use one dataset for each
data region.
8. If you want to separate your list from the rest of the report, click the Add a page break before check box.
9. To make sure the list contents display together, select the Keep together on one page if possible check
box.
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3. Click inside each text box to enter any additional text for each label. For this example, you enter User
ID:,Server:, and Time: beside the respective keyword.
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Navigate to: Start > All Programs > Epicor Software > Advanced Financial Reporting > AFR Report
Server.
4. SSRS opens in your web browser. Navigate to your AFR reports folder and select the report whose RDL file
you just deployed.
5. The report displays. Navigate to the section of the report that contains the list.
Your list displays the data generated through the expressions defined in each field.
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3. Use the Configuration drop-down list to indicate the specific configuration you want to modify. By default,
the Active(Debug) configuration displays.
4. To define the active solution configuration and its platform, click the Configuration Manager button.
5. You can modify various properties. Use the StartItem property to indicate which report definition activates
first when you launch the debugger within Microsoft Visual Studio.
6. Use the Deployment properties to indicate whether the data sources will be overwritten and to define the
target data folder, report folder, and server options for the AFR project.
The most important property is the TargetServerURL.
This defines the location of the server which will be used
to deploy the project.
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Summary
When you finish creating report definitions within the Report Designer, you next generate Report Definition
Language (RDL) files. You can open these files in Microsoft SQL Server Report Builder or Business Intelligence
Studio, where you can fine-tune the layout you need on each report. To streamline the layout process, you can
create report templates that contain default items you want included on each report. Use templates to define
layout standards for the financial reports you and other users will create.
You can launch Microsoft BI Studio directly from the Report Designer. Once the report layout displays within this
application, you can add various items to the report. These items include text boxes, images, lines, and rectangles.
Use these report items to display dynamic information and enhance the look of the report. You can also add
data regions, such as charts, tables, lists, matrixes, gauges, and tablixes.
When the layout is complete and the RDL file is deployed, users can display the relevant report in a web browser
via SSRS. If further adjustments are required, simply launch the RDL file in BI Studio from within the Report
Designer.
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use these controls to define the environment for the specific folder. The default folder for report RDLs uploaded
from the Report Designer is called AFR. This folder also contains the data source required to display these reports.
When you launch a report RDL directly from the Report
Designer, you do not see the main Home page. Instead, the
report automatically displays in the web browser. You can then
click the Home button to navigate back to the home page.
After you have organized the Report Server environment and configured its settings, you and other users can
then launch, display, and print advanced financial reports in the web browser.
1. The default folder for Epicor Advanced Financial Reporting is AFR.
2. You can change this default folder in the Report Designer. On the Settings > RDL sheet, specify a different
value in the Default SSRS Folder field.
SSRS in AFR
The SSRS Home page and its sub-folders contain the functionality you use to organize and administer advanced
financial reports. Use the controls to assign user permissions and configure the site settings. You can also launch
the Microsoft SQL Server Report Builder and then upload new or modified RDL files to make them available
for viewing.
For detailed information on SQL Server Reporting Services, please refer to the SQL Server Reporting Services
documentation provided by Microsoft.
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2. To change security settings for a specific report, select the Security option from the report's drop-down
list.
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3. On the Security sheet which displays, you can change security settings for the report.
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2. Microsoft SQL Server Report Builder launches with the selected RDL file loaded.
3. The Report Data pane contains items you can use to enhance the report, in a similar way to Microsoft SQL
Server BI Studio.
Use this application to modify the report layout as you need, then save the changes. For more information on
how to use this tool, review the documentation and courses published by Microsoft.
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1. In SSRS, navigate to the folder where your AFR reports are stored.
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2. On the menu for a report you want to add to the schedule, select Subscribe.
3. The report's Subscription page displays.
4. Set Report Delivery Options, including file format and save location.
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6. You must fill out the AFRLogonServerURI_ field. Clear the Use Default field to enable text entry in the
field.
7. Enter the AFR Logon Server URI. Make sure you include a forward slash (/) at the end.
You can see the Logon Server URI on the status bar in the
Report Designer.
8. Click OK.
The report is now part of the schedule, and will be saved to the location specified, according to the schedule.
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Report View
The purpose of the AFR Report Server, in conjunction with SSRS, is to generate and view your advanced financial
reports. When you have created a report definition in the AFR Report Designer, you will either upload its RDL file
from the Report Designer, or make additional adjustments in Microsoft Visual Studio or SQL Server Report Builder.
The report is then ready for you and other users to display in a browser, save, and print.
2. Click the folder that contains your advanced financial reports. By default this folder is called AFR.
If you changed the Default SSRS Folder on the Settings > RDL sheet in the Report Designer, that folder name
displays.
3. All of the reports available within this folder display as links.
4. The data source (DS) is created by the AFR Report Designer when the user generates and uploads an RDL
file.
This corresponds to the Data Source Name on the Settings
> RDL sheet in the Report Designer.
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5. The connection details are formed using the report definition database which the user is logged into, and
the AFR financial database specified on the Settings > RDL tab in the Report Designer.
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6. Click the report you want to display. The report generates and displays on its own page within the browser.
Report Parameters
The top section of the report page contains the available parameters on the report. You defined these parameters
when you created the report definition within the Report Designer. When you view the report in a web browser,
you can modify these parameters to change the data that displays on the report. If you use the advanced
presentation style, the parameters available depend on the advanced presentation options specified on the
Parameters sheet during report design.
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1. Click within the parameter fields to manually enter different values. For example, you can change the From
and To values on the report.
2. If you do not want to use a parameter to regenerate the report, select the Null check box next to this
parameter.
3. You can also restrict what information displays based on the reporting tree defined on the report. If a
reporting tree is assigned to the report, all of the reporting tree nodes are available on the
ReportingTreeNode list. Select the node you want from the drop-down list. When you regenerate the
report, the accounts that match the filters on the selected reporting tree node display. For more information
on this functionality, review the Reporting Tree section in Chapter 5: Report Design.
4. Click View Report to regenerate the report.
5. You can also click the Refresh button on the Main toolbar or the Report toolbar. The report then displays
with the changes.
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2. In the Book field, select a Company.Book combination. Depending on the presentation options, you can
select only one, or multiple books.
3. The Report Currency field defaults from the Currency field in report parameters. You can select a different
currency if required. This is the currency in which data displays if a columns Currency field specifies Report
Currency.
If you don't set a currency on columns in the report, the
columns display in the book currency, regardless of the
currency you select on the report. Therefore, it is
important to set the currency when you create column
sets. Use the @Currency setting in columns to use the
currency you select on the report.
4. In the Rate Calculation Type field, select from the following two currency conversion options:
Spot Rate uses exchange rates based on the Rate Date parameter (see below).
Period Average applies exchange rates based on a weighted average for the specified report period
or date range.
5. In the Rate Type field, select the required type. This corresponds to the Rate Type in Epicor ERP, and specifies
the conversion methods for currency pairs. Epicor ERP allows for more than one rate type, therefore this
option is also available for advanced currency conversion in AFR.
6. If you use the Spot Rate calculation type, you can specify a date for the exchange rate in the Rate Date
field, using the calendar pop-up.
7. The Cross-Rate Currency field defaults from the same field in report parameters. The cross-rate is the
currency against which the conversion factors will be calculated. Select from the drop down list to change
this if required.
Conversion works according to the following logic: The
source book currency is converted to the cross-rate
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8. The Default Rates field populates with the required exchange rates, which are taken from the replicated
data in the AFR financial database.
9. The Currency Conversions field also displays the conversion rates. In this field you can manually change
the effective rate if required.
10. Click View Report to run the report. The report displays.
Advanced Currency Conversion is only usable if your
company replicates financial data from Epicor ERP. If you
replicate data from a different source, use Simple Currency
Conversion, which enables manual entry of
currency-related details.
11. To minimize the parameters section, click the Show/Hide Parameters button.
12. If you included the @Currency keyword - or another report parameter you can change at report runtime in a column header, or in a report header or footer, the current parameter value displays.
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2. You can zoom in and out of the report by selecting a size from the Zoom drop-down list.
3. To search for a specific piece of data on the report, enter a value in the text box and click Find. Click Next
to cycle through each matching value found in the report.
4. Click Refresh to update the report after you make changes to the report parameters.
Exporting Reports
You can export a snapshot of the formatted report data into various file formats. You can then open the report
in a third-party application that displays this format and view or modify the report using the functionality available
within the third-party application.
Export a Report
To export a report:
1. Select a file format from the Export drop-down list. Available options:
XML file with report data
CSV (comma delimited)
Acrobat (PDF) file
MHTML (web archive)
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Excel
TIFF file
Word
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2. Your report is exported into the selected format. You can save it, or launch it within the relevant third-party
application. In this example, you launch the report as a PDF in Adobe Reader.
Depending on your browser settings, you may have to take further steps to open or save the file.
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To generate reports in Excel, the Epicor AFR ODBC Driver must already be installed. For details on how to install
the driver, refer to the AFR Installation Guide.
4. Click Save.
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5. The report file opens in Microsoft Excel. The Report Parameters sheet displays the same values as the
Parameters sheet in the Report Designer.
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Summary
Use the available settings and the management functions to configure and manage the AFR environment within
SSRS. Use these features to define security permissions for specific users, create folders to organize the reports,
and upload report RDL files and data sources into specific folders.
Once you have configured the environment, users can access the report folders in a web browser, to generate
the available advanced financial reports. Each report displays on its own page. Users can modify the parameters
on the report and then refresh to display the changes. The report page also contains navigation tools to help
users locate a specific page or piece of data they want to view.
Users can also export the reports into several different file formats. The report can then be opened in third-party
applications, or hard copies can be printed. The AFR ODBC Driver enables setup of a data link between Microsoft
Excel and the AFR application, so you can view reports, update parameters, and format the report according to
particular display requirements.
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5. Click OK.
2. If you want to upgrade the existing database, click Yes. After conversion, you are logged on to the database.
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You are now ready to enter account sets, account masks, and users or user groups. But first, get familiar
with the main screen in the Financial Data Security Manager.
Navigation
Once you log on to a financial database, the AFR Financial Data Security Manager launches. The Financial
DBs tree displays all the companies found within the database. All their books and charts of accounts display as
separate sub-nodes.
2. Use the Activate Financial Data Security check box to switch on/off the data security settings for the
database.
3. Expand the database node to display a list of all the companies in the financial database, including the <ALL
COMPANIES> item.
4. Expand a company to display the Books and COAs nodes.
5. Expand the Books node to display a list of all the GL books in the company.
6. Expand a book to display a list of all account sets within the book. If no account sets have been created,
you only see the <ALL ACCOUNTS> set.
If possible, expand an account set to display any users and user groups assigned to that account set.
7. Expand the COAs node to display a list of all the charts of accounts (COA) in the company.
8. Expand a COA to display all the account sets for that COA, including the <ALL ACCOUNTS> set.
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If possible, expand an account set to display all the account masks created in that account set.
Security Levels
You can set up effective security at different levels of detail: Database, Company, Book, or Account Set.
1. To assign access to all the companies and books in a financial database, assign users at the ALL COMPANIES
> Books > ALL BOOKS > ALL ACCOUNTS level.
This is the most general level of security, and offers users the same access as if financial data security were
not applied.
2. To assign access to all the books in one specific company, assign users at the CompanyName > Books >
ALL BOOKS > ALL ACCOUNTS level.
3. To assign access to all the accounts in a particular book within one company, assign users at the
CompanyName > Books > BookID > ALL ACCOUNTS level.
4. To assign access to specific accounts within a particular books chart of accounts (COA), create an account
set and account masks in the relevant COA, and assign users to the account set in the relevant book.
Account Sets
An account set is a portion of financial data, which contains one or more account masks, which use the syntax
found in AFR Report Designer. Examples of account masks are: account ranges, account lists, categories. An
account set can contain several account masks.
Account sets are specified for each particular chart of accounts (COA). There is also a pre-defined account set,
<ALL ACCOUNTS>, which can be used in the context of a particular COA, or for all the COAs in a database.
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Account Masks
Account Masks are the expressions you create for a particular account set, such as account masks, account ranges,
and categories. These expressions can be entered manually, or by using the Expression Builder. To enter an
account expression, the account set must already exist. You select the required account set in order to create a
GL account expression within it.
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1. In the Financial DBs Tree, expand the required COA, and select the account set to which you want to add
an account mask.
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7. Press Shift to select a range of accounts, or Ctrl to select specific accounts in the grid.
8. Click Account Categories to select from available categories instead of accounts.
9. The selected items create an expression in the Expression field.
10. When you finish making your selection, click OK.
11. Click Save.
12. The new account mask now displays in the Financials DBs tree, under the account set.
13. The account set also displays under the relevant book to which the COA is attached.
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1. In the Financial DBs Tree, expand the required book, and select the account set to which you want to
assign a user.
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2. If no user or group has data security rights assigned, an error message displays. Close the message, and
assign rights to a user or group.
3. Click Save.
Summary
The AFR Financial Data Security Manager offers security options at the database, company, book, or account set
level. Set up account sets and account masks at the COA level, and assign users at the book level. Once data
security is activated, when users or user groups view reports, they only see the financial data to which they have
security rights.
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Index
Index
A
account masks 246
account sets 245
activate afr financial data security 249
add a list 210
add text boxes (data regions) 213
add text boxes (report items design) 206
add the company text boxes 206
adjust report parameters 239
advanced financial reporting applications 14
afr installation options 12
afr odbc driver 237
afr replication monitor 21
afr replication monitor installation 21
assign a user permission to an account set 248
assign edit rights 181
assign edit security rights on the current element 182
assign view rights 180
available parameters 149
D
data regions 210
data tools 20
date parameters 110
default formats 52
define budget filter 116
define child nodes 169
define the columns accounts 111
define the columns book 113
define the fiscal period 107
define the report header 159
deploy all RDL files in project 217
dictionaries 175
dictionary parameters 125
display the list data region 214
display the modified report 207
body 157
F
final data results 175
financial data fields 124
financial data security manager 17
financial data security manager (install options) 13
format each row 73
G
general settings 49
generate a report in excel 238
generate multiple user-defined columns 126
generate predefined groups of columns 131
generate the rdl file 184
granularity 22
H
header footer expressions 160
headers and footers 159
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Index
I
import management reporter database 56
import report elements 54
indicate row definition details 64
initialize replication tasks 34
L
launch afr replication monitor 25
launch column expression assistant when creating a new column
136
launch the afr financial data security manager 242
launch the report builder 222
leverage the list sheet 61
license requester 14
list data regions 210
log on to the financial database 243
logon server 13
M
math, constants, and logical parameters 122
microsoft business intelligence studio 202
microsoft sql server report builder 18
modify report parameters 231
modify reports with advanced currency conversion 232
monitor and change replication task status 35
N
navigate in the application 244
navigation 244
network servers 12
numeric format, column 106
O
options 154
P
parent and child node logic 170
pre-defined reports 201
presentation options 149
preview settings 52
preview the report 161
primary environment requirements 12
Q
query, user properties 79
S
security levels 245
security setup 180
set up a row drill-down report 75
set up a row set drill-down report 74
simple currency conversions 153
SQL server BI studio 20
SSRS Security 221
summary 20, 36, 59, 197, 218, 241, 250
summary, row sets and column sets 142
T
the afr financial data security manager 242
the afr report project 198
the afr report server 219
the epicor financial report designer 60
U
unposted balances 105
update single column 133
upgrade a financial database 243
use report viewing controls 235
use the rdls sheet functionality 196
user properties 78
users and user groups 248
using afr replication monitor 24
252
Index
versions 76
view report 229
viewing reports 17
workstation environments 13
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Index
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