How to display a string label instead of an integer representation of a radio group in Microsoft Dynamics GP

This article describes how to display a string label instead of an integer representation of a radio group in Microsoft Dynamics GP.

Applies to:   Microsoft Dynamics GP
Original KB number:   926393

Introduction

A setting that you configure by using an option isn‘t stored in a table in Microsoft Dynamics GP.

Note

Options are also known as radio buttons.

The setting is stored as an integer that represents the selected option. This integer is known as a radio group. If you want to display the value of an option, you can use the integer value that is based on the position of the selected option in the tab sequence. The first position has a value of 0, the second position has a value of 1, and so on. If you want to convert a setting that you configure by using an option into a string representation, use the RW_Token user-defined function. However, because the RW_Token function expects an integer that starts with a value of 1, you must create a calculated field that adds a 1 to the integer value. To create this calculated field, follow these steps.

Step 1: Back up the Reports.dic file

Back up the Reports.dic file if you have any modified Microsoft Dynamics GP reports. To do it, follow these steps:

1. On the Tools menu, point to Setup, point to System, and then select Edit Launch File.
2. If you're prompted for the password, type the system password.
3. In the Edit Launch File window, select the product for the report that you want to modify. Note the path that appears in the Reports box.
4. Select OK to close the Edit Launch File window.

Step 2: Open Report Writer

1. On the Tools menu, point to Customize, and then select Report Writer.
2. Use the appropriate step:
   • In Microsoft Dynamics GP 9.0, select Microsoft Dynamics GP in the Product list, and then select OK.
   • In Microsoft Business Solutions - Great Plains 8.0 and 7.5, select Great Plains in the Product list, and then select OK.

Step 3: Modify the report

1. Open the report layout of the report that you're modifying.
2. In the Toolbox window, select Calculated Fields in the Resources list, and then select New.
3. Type a name for the calculated field in the Name box.
4. In the Resources list, select the table for the radio group field that you want to modify. In the Field list, select the radio group field that you want to convert, and then select Add.
5. Select the plus sign.
6. Select the Constants tab, and then select Integer in the Type list. In the Constant field, type 1, and then select Add.
7. Select OK.
8. Select New, and then type a name for the string field.
9. In the Result Type list, select String. In the Expression Type list, select Calculated.
10. Select the Functions tab, and then select User-Defined.
11. In the Core list, select System. In the Function list, select RW_Token, and then select Add.
12. Select the Constants tab. In the Type list, select String.
13. In the Constant field, enter the list of strings, and then select Add. Separate the strings by using a token character.
14. In the Constant field, enter the same token character, and then select Add.
15. Select the Fields tab, and then select the calculated field that you created.
16. Select Add.
17. Select OK.
18. Drag the new calculated field into the report.

Note

The following examples are some sample calculated fields:

• FUNCTION_SCRIPT(RW_Token "One|Two|Three|Four|Five|Six" "|" Radio_Group)
• FUNCTION_SCRIPT(RW_Token "Balance Sheet,Profit and Loss" "," Posting_Type)
• FUNCTION_SCRIPT(RW_Token "Debit:Credit" ":" Typical_Balance)

For more information, see the Report Writer Programmer's Interface document in the Software Development Kit (SDK). You can install the SDK from the Tools folder of CD2 of the Microsoft Dynamics GP installation CDs.

Step 4: Grant security to the modified report

To grant security to the report, use one of the following methods.

Method 1: Use the Advanced Security tool

1. On the Tools menu, point to Setup, point to System, and then select Advanced Security. If you're prompted for the password, type the system password.
2. Select View, and then select by Alternate, Modified and Custom.
3. Expand Microsoft Dynamics GP or Microsoft Great Plains, expand Reports, expand the node for the appropriate series, and then expand the node for the report that you modified.
4. Select Microsoft Dynamics GP (Modified) or Microsoft Great Plains (Modified), select Apply, and then select OK.

Note

By default, the current user and the current company are selected when you start the Advanced Security tool. Any changes that you make are for the current user and for the current company. However, you can select additional users in the User area of the Advanced Security window. You can select additional companies in the Company area of the Advanced Security window.

Method 2: Use Microsoft Dynamics GP security

1. On the Tools menu, point to Setup, point to System, and then select Security. If you're prompted for the password, type the system password.
2. In the User ID list, select the user ID of the user who will access the report.
3. In the Product list, select the product for the report that you modified.
4. In the Type list, select Modified Reports.
5. In the Series list, select the series for the report that you modified.
6. In the Access List box, double-click the report that you modified, and then select OK. An asterisk appears next to the report name.