How to: Bind a Dataset to a Data Method
Important
This content is archived and is not being updated. For the latest documentation, see Microsoft Dynamics 365 product documentation. For the latest release plans, see Dynamics 365 and Microsoft Power Platform release plans.
Applies To: Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012 R2, Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012 Feature Pack, Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012
You can access non-Microsoft Dynamics AX data in a data method and use the data in a Microsoft Dynamics AX report. This topic describes how to bind a dataset to a data method when you want to display non-Microsoft Dynamics AX data on a report. For information about how to define a data method, see How to: Define a Data Method in C#. When the reporting framework recognizes the data method as a data source, you can see the data method in the Select a Data Method dialog box. To be recognized, the following conditions must be true:
The return value of the data method must be an IEnumerable<DataRow> instance.
The class and report must have the same name. This means that a data method is specific to one report.
You must build the business logic project.
You must add the business logic project to the AOT.
If you want to display Microsoft Dynamics AX data on your report, you should use a report data provider or a query data source. For more information, see Guidance for Choosing the Data Source Type.
Tip
You will not find examples of reports that use a dataset bound to a data method included with Microsoft Dynamics AX.
To bind a dataset to a data method
In Visual Studio, from the File menu, point to New and then click Project.
In the New Project window, click the Microsoft Dynamics AX installed template and then click the Report Model template.
Give the reporting project a name and then click OK.
In Solution Explorer, right-click the reporting project, point to New, and then click Report.
In Model Editor, select the report. In the Properties window, the Data Method Library property must be set to the business logic project that contains the data method that you will bind the dataset to. If the report is in the same solution as the business logic project, the reporting framework will default a business logic project. You can also set the Data Method Library property to point to a business logic project in a different solution.
In Model Editor, right-click the Datasets node and then click Add Dataset.
In the Properties window, set the Data Source Type property to Business Logic.
Click the Query property ellipsis (…) button.
In the Select a Data Method window, select a data method from the list and then click OK. This window displays a list of all data methods that are available for the report.
You can also execute data methods to view the results in the results pane. To execute a data method, select the data method in the list, and then click the execute query button located at the top of the window. Alternatively, you can press F5 to execute a data method.
If a data method has parameters, a dialog box displays that lets you specify parameter values. If a parameter is a collection, it can contain a single value or a set of values. For a single value, simply supply the value. For a set of values, specify a semicolon-separated list (such as element1; element2; element3).
In Model Editor, expand the Fields node. The report model lists the fields that are defined in the data method. Next you can create a report design to use the data in a report. For more information, see How to: Create an Auto Design for a Report.