Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012 R3 Reporting Cookbook

Table of Contents

Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012 R3 Reporting Cookbook

Credits

About the Authors

About the Reviewers

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Preface

What this book covers

What you need for this book

Who this book is for

Sections

Getting ready

How to do it…

How it works…

There's more…

See also

Conventions

Reader feedback

Customer support

Errata

Piracy

Questions

1. Understanding and Creating Simple SSRS Reports

Introduction

Reporting overview

Using a query as a data source in a report

Getting ready

How to do it...

How it works…

Connecting VS to AX

Retrieving metadata and data

Verify the query

No joins

Creating auto designs from datasets

Getting ready

How to do it...

How it works…

Grouping in reports

How to do it...

How it works…

Adding ranges to the report

How to do it...

How it works…

Deploying a report

Getting ready

How to do it...

Location of deployment

How it works

Creating a menu item for a report

How to do it...

How it works…

Creating a report using a query in Warehouse Management

Getting ready

How to do it...

How it works

2. Enhancing Your Report – Visualization and Interaction

Introduction

Creating multiple data regions and charts in reports

Getting Ready

How to do it…

How it works…

Creating a chart data region

Getting ready

How to do it…

How it works…

Creating a new layout template

How to do it…

How it works…

Expression in reports

How to do it…

How it works…

Understanding prefix symbols in simple expressions

Aggregation in reports

How to do it…

How it works…

Adding an image in auto design

How to do it…

How it works…

See also

Formatting reports

How to do it…

How it works…

Adding unbounded parameters in reports

How to do it…

How it works…

System parameter

User-defined parameters

Bounded parameters

Unbounded parameters

Parameters and data source types

Query parameters

Dynamic filters

See also

Adding filters to data regions

How to do it…

How it works…

Adding document map navigation to reports

How to do it…

How it works…

Creating drill-up/drill-down actions in reports

How to do it…

How it works…

3. Report Programming Model

Introduction

Opening a report through a controller

Getting Ready

How to do it...

How it works...

Report programming model

Model

Controller

Report data contract

Report controller

Report UI builder

View

Modifying the report query in controller

Getting Ready

How to do it...

How it works...

Opening a report with a dialog

How to do it...

How it works…

Creating a report using the UI Builder class

Getting Ready

How to do it...

How it works…

Adding a lookup on a report dialog using the UI Builder class

Getting Ready

How to do it...

How it works…

Connecting the UI builder class with a contract class

Getting Ready

How to do it...

How it works…

Adding ranges from unbound parameters to a query

How to do it...

How it works…

RDP vs RDL data contract

Modifying the UI by caller

How to do it…

How it works…

Turning off a report dialog

How to do it...

Setting up security for reports

How to do it…

How it works...

Adding up the report menu item into privilege

How to do it...

How it works…

Calling multiple reports from a controller

How to do it…

How it works...

Calling multiple reports simultaneously using a single controller

How to do it...

How it works…

Debugging a report model

How to do it…

Changes to model and adding new classes

How it works…

Adding data methods in business logic

How to do it…

How it works...

Data method vs Expressions

Adding a URL drill through action in reports

How to do it…

How it works...

Debugging business logic

How to do it…

How it works…

Unit testing business logic

How to do it…

How it works...

Creating a report using a controller and the UI Builder class

How to do it...

How it works…

4. Report Programming Model – RDP

Introduction

Creating a simple RDP report

Getting ready

How to do it…

How it works…

RDP

RDP class

RDP data contract

UI builder

Choosing RDP for a report

See Also

Testing the RDP report

How to do it…

How it works…

Creating a simple precision design

Getting ready

How to do it…

How it works…

Creating an advanced RDP report

How to do it…

Testing the RDP

How it works…

Creating a report with multiple data sources in a single table

How to do it…

How it works…

Creating a group view report

How to do it…

How it works…

Adding headers and displaying company images

How to do it…

How it works…

Debugging RDP

See Also

Using an existing temp table in RDP

How to do it…

How it works…

Pre-processing reports

How to do it…

How it works…

Clean up

5. Integrating External Datasources

Introduction

Adding a datasource through business logic

Getting ready

How to do it...

How it works…

See Also

Using an XML feed as a datasource

Getting ready

How to do it…

How it works…

Spin-off recipes

Building a parameter lookup using business logic

Getting ready

How to do it…

How it works…

Business logic

Building a report through an external datasource

Getting Ready

How to do it…

How it works...

Adding a parameter for an external datasource query

Getting Ready

How to do it…

How it works…

Creating a customer summary OLAP report

Getting Ready

How to do it…

How it works…

See also

Adding a parameter lookup for OLAP

Getting Ready

How to do it…

How it works…

Company parameter

EndDate parameter

Main query

Designing an OLAP table report with SQL Report Builder

Getting Ready

How to do it…

How it works...

Designing a map sub-report with SQL Report Builder

Getting Ready

How to do it

How it works...

Creating a sub-report in auto design

Getting Ready

How to do it...

How it works...

Creating a sub-report in precision design

Getting ready

How to do it...

How it works...

See also

6. Beyond Tabular Reports

Introduction

Creating a matrix report

How to do it…

Basic report design

Creating a matrix report

How it works…

Creating a multicolumn matrix report

Getting ready

How to do it…

How it works…

Creating a column chart report

Getting ready

How to do it…

How it works…

See also

Creating a line chart

Getting ready

How to do it…

How it works…

There's more…

Chart reports in auto design

Gauges in reports

Getting ready

How to do it…

List and rectangle controls in reports

How to do it…

How it works…

Adding reports to the role center

How to do it…

How it works…

7. Upgrading and Analyzing Reports

Introduction

Upgrading a report from its previous version

How to do it…

Defining the data source

Mapping the parameters and fields

Mapping the design

Datasets in AX 2012 R3 vs AX 2009 reports

Developing the controller

Handling UI events

Analyzing and modifying an existing report

How to do it...

How it works…

Implementing validation in reports

Getting ready

How to do it…

How it works…

Surrogate fields in reports

How to do it…

Surrogate keys in query-based reports

Surrogate keys in RDP

How it works…

Spin-off idea

Grouping and ordering controls in the report dialog

Getting ready

How to do it...

Grouping in report model

Grouping in the UI builder

Grouping in contracts

How it works…

RDP with multiple temporary tables

Getting ready

How to do it…

How it works…

Multi-value lookup

Getting ready

How to do it…

How it works…

Inventory dimensions in reports

Getting ready

How to do it…

How it works…

Financial dimensions in query reports

How to do it…

How it works…

Financial dimensions in RDP reports

How to do it…

How it works…

8. Troubleshooting and Other Advanced Recipes

Introduction

Assessing report performance and usage

Getting ready

How to do it…

How it works…

Handling long-running reports in AX

How to do it…

Design-based resolution

Configuration-based resolution

Data extension-based timeout

Server-side WCF timeout

Client-side WCF timeout

Report execution timeout

Specifying timeouts for all reports

Specifying timeouts for a specific report

User session timeout

Troubleshooting reports in AX

How to do it…

Deployment-related issues

Unable to deploy

Unable to refresh

Rendering-related issues

Data-related issues

Query-based report

RDP-based report

Controller issues

Auto e-mail, save as file tasks in reports

How to do it…

Saving the report to a file

Sending the report through e-mail

How it works…

Handling events after report completion

How to do it…

How it works…

Generating and displaying barcodes in reports

How to do it…

How it works…

Hiding controls by context

How to do it…

How it works…

Using AXEnumProvider as the dataset for parameters in reports

Getting ready

How to do it…

Adding a new report design to print management

How to do it…

Deploying language-specific reports to speed up execution time

How to do it…

How it works…

Improving the functionality of reports

How to do it…

9. Developing Reports with Complex Databases

Introduction

Creating reports by fetching the data using complex queries

Getting ready

How to do it…

Creating reports by fetching the data using views

Getting ready

How to do it…

Creating reports by fetching the data using maps

Getting ready

How to do it...

10. Unit Test Class and Best Practices Used for Reports

Introduction

Creating a unit test class for a contract class

Getting ready

How to do it...

Creating a unit test class for a controller class

Getting ready

How to do it...

Creating a unit test class for an RDP class

Getting ready

How to do it...

Best practices for AX 2012 report development

Report design

AOT queries

Data source table

RDP class

Contract class

Controller class

UI Builder class

General best practices

Index

Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012 R3 Reporting Cookbook

Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012 R3 Reporting Cookbook

Copyright © 2015 Packt Publishing

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, without the prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embedded in critical articles or reviews.

Every effort has been made in the preparation of this book to ensure the accuracy of the information presented. However, the information contained in this book is sold without warranty, either express or implied. Neither the authors, nor Packt Publishing, and its dealers and distributors will be held liable for any damages caused or alleged to be caused directly or indirectly by this book.

Packt Publishing has endeavored to provide trademark information about all of the companies and products mentioned in this book by the appropriate use of capitals. However, Packt Publishing cannot guarantee the accuracy of this information.

First published: September 2013

Second edition: March 2015

Production reference: 1240315

Published by Packt Publishing Ltd.

Livery Place

35 Livery Street

Birmingham B3 2PB, UK.

ISBN 978-1-78439-538-4

www.packtpub.com

Credits

Authors

Deepak Agarwal

Chhavi Aggarwal

Kamalakannan Elangovan

Reviewers

Parag Gunwant Chapre

Muhammad Anas Khan

Henrik Marx Larsen

Commissioning Editor

Usha Iyer

Acquisition Editor

Neha Nagwekar

Content Development Editor

Natasha DSouza

Technical Editor

Ankur Ghiye

Copy Editors

Puja Lalwani

Adithi Shetty

Alpha Singh

Trishla Singh

Project Coordinator

Rashi Khivansara

Proofreaders

Simran Bhogal

Maria Gould

Bernadette Watkins

Indexer

Monica Ajmera Mehta

Production Coordinator

Komal Ramchandani

Cover Work

Komal Ramchandani

About the Authors

Deepak Agarwal (Microsoft MVP) is a Microsoft Certified Professional and has been working professionally on Dynamics AX since 2011. He has worked with different versions of Axapta, such as AX 2009, AX 2012, R2, and R3. He has had a wide range of development, consulting, and leading roles, while always maintaining a significant role as a business application developer. Though his strengths are rooted in X++ development, he is a highly regarded developer and has knowledge of technical aspects of Dynamics AX development and customization. He has also worked on base product development with the Microsoft team.

He was awarded the Most Valuable Professional (MVP) on Dynamics AX in 2013 and 2014 by Microsoft.

He has also contributed to the following books:

Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012 Reporting Cookbook

Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012 Programming

Microsoft System Centre Configuration Manager

Deepak shares his experience with Dynamics AX on his blog at http://theaxapta.blogspot.in/.

Sincere thanks to my friend, Himashu, for his motivation and support.

I would also like to thank Mr. Kamalakannan Elangovan, the author of Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012 Reporting Cookbook, Packt Publishing, the earlier version of this book. Thanks to the Packt Publishing team for this great opportunity. It's a privilege to work with you all.

Also, thanks to all the reviewers who invested their time and provided useful feedback, which helped us a lot to make this book more effective and useful.

Chhavi Aggarwal started working on Dynamics AX in 2012. She is a Microsoft Certified Professional and has worked on both the 2009 and 2012 versions of Dynamics AX. She is an expert in SSRS reports and has also done a lot of customization and development in Dynamics AX R2/R3 through X++. She has a very deep knowledge of the technical aspects related to Dynamics AX R2/R3, as well as sound technical and logical skills in customization and development. She has also worked with the Microsoft team for standard base development.

I am grateful to my loving parents for motivating and supporting me through thick and thin. Sincere thanks to Mr. Puneet Agarwal (elder brother) and Mrs. Ankita Agarwal (sister-in-law), in addition to my dearly youngest brother Ankit Aggarwal for being the strongest pillars in my most difficult times.

I offer my immense reverence to the honorable Mr. Kamalakannan Elangovan, the author of the previous version of Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012 Reporting Cookbook, who has always been a great source of inspiration. Also, a special thanks to the Packt Publishing team, who always stood beside us throughout this entire journey.

I am overwhelmed by the invaluable role played by the reviewers for their helpful comments and suggestions.

Kamalakannan Elangovan has over 8 years of development experience in Dynamics AX. He shares a passion for product development and has pioneered multiple ISV solutions on Dynamics AX. In the past, he has worked with Innovites to create the first multidimensional ISV solution for cable industries called InnoVites for cable. Building the solution from scratch, he gained great insights into building, selling, and promoting a product among customers and partners in the Microsoft Ecosystem. You can find out more about him at http://about.me/casperkamal.

Kamal is enthusiastic about sharing his learnings with the community, which led him to create one of the first few blogs for AX in 2006. It is currently available at http://kamalblogs.wordpress.com. He is active on Twitter and is very well known in the community by his pseudonym, Casperkamal.

First of all, I would like to thank my wife, Sangeetha, and my little daughter, Anu, for their considerable support during the long hours I put into this book. I also want to apologize for the time I stole from them to invest in this book.

Thanks to Dhangar Naveen who spent a considerable number of hours working along with me in making the examples involved in each recipe.

Special thanks to the wonderful team at Packt Publishing who have patiently guided and supported me in making this book a reality.

Also, a big thanks to the readers of my blog, my fellow bloggers, and the Dynamics AX community, who have directly and indirectly inspired me to create this book.

About the Reviewers

Parag Gunwant Chapre is currently working with Tieto Software Technologies Limited as a senior technical consultant. He completed his BE in CSE from Nagpur University in the year 2008 with first a division. He has over 6 years of experience in MS Dynamics AX 2009/2012 and ASP.NET/C#.NET.

Parag has worked with top MS Dynamics AX companies, such as Systems Advisers Group (SAG Global), Tectura Corporation at Noida, and Tata Consultancy Services in Pune. He has worked on different versions of Axapta, such as AX 2009, AX 2012 R2, and R3.

His work experience includes Windows and web applications, SSRS development, Microsoft Dynamics AX 2009/2012, Application Integration Framework (AIF), Microsoft Dynamics Connector, and MS Dynamics CRM.

He completed his certification in Windows and web application (.NET), Installation and Configuration, Introduction development, and MorphX Solution Development in MS Dynamics AX 2009/2012.

He has received much appreciation from various clients for developing SSRS reports and MS dynamics AX Integration with MS Dynamics CRM.

I would like to thank my parents and sister for their continuous support, guidance, and encouragement.

Special thanks to Rashi and the Packt Publishing team, who provided me with a chance to review this book.

Muhammad Anas Khan is a Microsoft Certified Professional, working as a technical consultant for Microsoft Dynamics AX at MazikGlobal, where he is responsible for delivering consultancy for Dynamics AX implementation projects. His technical expertise includes Application Integration Framework (AIF), forms, SSRS and SSAS reporting, Batch Framework, Role-based Security and custom workflow development.

He has more than 6 years of experience in the software industry, where he held various engineering positions to develop global enterprise systems. His career vision is to frame the right problems and find efficient solutions that deliver value to customers, partners, and shareholders. He has a master's degree in computer science from IBA University and lives with his family in Karachi.

You can find him on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/muhammadanaskhan, and read his Dynamics AX blog at http://dynamicsaxinsight.wordpress.com/.

I would like to thank my family for their continuous support especially my brother, Sohaib Khan, for guiding me well throughout my career.

Special thanks to Rashi and the whole Packt Publishing team for giving me the opportunity to review this book.

Henrik Marx Larsen has been implementing ERP across a number of industries, including wholesales, manufacturing, and financial services since 1994. In 1998, He started working with Microsoft Dynamics AX (formerly known as Damgaard Axapta) as a developer and helped deliver many projects across Europe. In recent years, Henrik Marx Larsen has worked as a Solution Architect on a number of enterprise projects and today is heading international jewelry giant PANDORA's global implementation of Microsoft Dynamics AX. He holds a BSc (Hons) in Computer Science from De Montfort University.

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