Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012 Reporting Cookbook

Table of Contents

Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012 Reporting Cookbook

Credits

About the Author

About the Reviewers

www.PacktPub.com

Support files, eBooks, discount offers and more

Why Subscribe?

Free Access for Packt account holders

Instant Updates on New Packt Books

Preface

What this book covers

What you need for this book

Who this book is for

Conventions

Reader feedback

Customer support

Downloading the example code

Errata

Piracy

Questions

1. Understanding and Creating Simple SSRS Reports

Introduction

Reporting overview

Using a query as a datasource in a report

Getting ready

How to do it...

How it works...

Creating an auto design from a dataset

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 the report

Getting ready

How to do it...

How it works...

See also

Creating a menu item for the report

How to do it...

How it works...

See also

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…

Expressions in layouts

How to do it…

How it works…

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 datasource types

Query parameters

Dynamic filters

See also

Adding filters to data regions

How to do it…

How it works…

Adding a document map navigation to reports

How to do it…

How it works…

Adding a drill up/drill down navigation to reports

How to do it…

How it works…

3. A Report Programming Model

Introduction

Opening a report through a controller

Getting Ready

How to do it...

How it works...

Report programming model

Model

Controller

View

Modifying the report query in the controller

Getting Ready

How to do it...

How it works…

Adding ranges from unbound parameters to the query

How to do it...

How it works…

RDP versus RDL data contract

Modifying the UI by caller

How to do it…

How it works…

Turning off the report dialog

How to do it...

Setting up security for reports

How to do it…

How it works...

Calling multiple reports from a controller

How to do it…

How it works...

Debugging a report model

How to do it…

Making changes to the model and adding new classes

How it works…

Adding data methods in business logic

How to do it...

How it works…

Data methods versus 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...

4. Report Programming Model – RDP

Introduction

Creating a simple RDP report

Getting ready

How to do it…

How it works…

Report Data Provider (RDP)

RDP class

RDP data contract

UI builder

Choosing RDP for a report

See Also

Testing the RDP

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…

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…

Preprocessing reports

How to do it…

How it works…

Clean up

See also

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…

The 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…

Designing an OLAP table report with SQL Report Builder

Getting ready

How to do it…

How it works…

Designing a map subreport with SQL Report Builder

Getting ready

How to do it…

How it works…

Creating a subreport in auto design

Getting ready

How to do it…

How it works…

Creating a subreport 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 the previous version

How to do it...

Defining the datasource

Mapping the parameters and fields

Mapping the design

Datasets in AX 2012 versus AX 2009 reports

Developing the controller

Handling UI events

See also

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 a report dialog

Getting ready

How to do it...

Grouping in the report model

Grouping in the UI builder

Grouping in the contract

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 reports

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

See also

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 reports

RDB-based reports

Controller issues

See also

Auto e-mail and Save as file tasks in reports

How to do it…

Saving the report to a file

Sending the report through an e-mail

How it works…

Handling events post 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…

Making your reports function better

How to do it…

A. Introduction to SSRS

Introduction

Why SSRS?

Reporting architecture

The report database

The report server

The Report Manager

Report Definition Language (RDL)

Dynamics AX reporting extensions

Data Processing Extensions (DPE)

Report Definition Extensions (RDE)

AX 2009 versus AX 2012

Development

Understanding AX reports

Artifacts

Reports (AOT\SSRS reports)

Reporting projects (AOT\Visual Studio Projects\Dynamics AX Model Projects)

Report model

Datasets

Design

Auto design

Precision design

Installation and configuration checklist

Components to be installed

Configurations in Dynamics AX

Reporting services configuration manager

Native mode versus SharePoint integrated mode

Index

Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012 Reporting Cookbook

Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012 Reporting Cookbook

Copyright © 2013 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 author, 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

Production Reference: 1170913

Published by Packt Publishing Ltd.

Livery Place

35 Livery Street

Birmingham B3 2PB, UK.

ISBN 978-1-84968-772-0

www.packtpub.com

Cover Image by Prashant Timappa Shetty (<sparkling.spectrum.123@gmail.com>)

Credits

Author

Kamalakannan Elangovan

Reviewers

Deepak Agarwal

Emad Mokhtar Habib

Umesh Pandit

Nasheet Ahmed Siddiqui

Saptha Wanniarachchi

Acquisition Editor

James Jones

Lead Technical Editor

Amey Varangaonkar

Technical Editors

Iram Malik

Manal Pednekar

Larissa Pinto

Project Coordinator

Apeksha Chitnis

Proofreader

Chris Smith

Indexer

Tejal R. Soni

Graphics

Ronak Dhruv

Production Coordinator

Manu Joseph

Cover Work

Manu Joseph

About the Author

Kamalakannan Elangovan has over eight 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 worked with Innovites to create the first multidimensional ISV solution for cable industries called Innovites for cable. Building the solution from scratch, he has gained great insights into building, selling, and promoting the product among customers and partners in the Microsoft Ecosystem. You can learn more about him at http://about.me/casperkamal.

He is enthusiastic about sharing his learning 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 through twitter and the community, popularly 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 have put behind this book. I also want to apologize for the time I have stolen from them to invest in this book.

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

Special thanks to the wonderful team at Packt 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 in this work.

This book is dedicated to Dick De Jong, who selflessly mentored and trained me in the art of software development.

About the Reviewers

Deepak Agarwal [B.Tech, MBA] is a Technical Consultant and has been working professionally on Dynamics AX since 2011. He is a team member of the very first AX project in the Manufacturing Domain. Though his strengths are rooted in X++ development, he is a highly regarded developer and has solid knowledge of technical aspects of Dynamics AX and X++ reporting.

Deepak blogs on Dynamics AX on his blog http://theaxapta.blogspot.in/.

A big thanks to my dear sister Khushbu Agarwal for her support and understanding of my long hours spent on this work.

Emad Mokhtar Habib is a passionate and an enthusiastic software developer, loves to learn new technologies, and is always seeking for the better to be the best. He has worked with many Microsoft partners. He is builds software to improve and help businesses. He runs a professional and technical blog, EmadMokhtar.com, and shares his thoughts and readings on Twitter and LinkedIn. He is working for Arabesque Group now and as a freelance Web Developer.

I want to thank my lovely wife who helped me in reviewing this book and always took care of me and my environment. I also want to thank my family and friends for motivating me and always pushing me to do my best.

Umesh Pandit is a Techno Functional Consultant with KPIT Cummins Infosystems Ltd. He has done Masters of Computer Applications with first division, having specialization in ERP from Ideal Institute of Technology, Ghaziabad.

He has worked with the top IT giants, such as Google India and Cap Gemini India. He has a deep understanding of ERP systems, such as Microsoft Dynamics AX. He has worked with different versions of Axapta, such as AX 3.0, AX 4.0, AX 5.0 (AX 2009), and AX 6.0 (AX 2012). He has a vast knowledge of Microsoft Technologies, such as SQL, CRM, TFS, Office, Windows Server 2008, Windows Server 2003, Office 365, Microsoft Dynamics NAV, SSRS, SSAS, VSS, and VCS.

I would like to thank my friend Pramila, who encouraged me in this passion.

Nasheet Ahmed Siddiqui has studied Computer Science at the University of Karachi, Pakistan. He has over seven years of consulting experience, playing a variety of roles, including Software Engineer, Senior Software Engineer, Team lead, and Technical Consultant in Dynamics AX and Microsoft technologies.

He started working in 2006 for e-Creatorz, where he was developing and managing web applications. He started his Dynamics AX career with MazikGlobal (a subsidiary of Tyler Technology Ltd, U.S.A and Microsoft Corporation). He was the core developer in the development of the Dynamics AX 2012 and AX 2012 R2 features for Microsoft. He was directly involved with the Microsoft team to build the features for the AX 2012 and AX 2012 R2. Since 2012, he has been working for Othaim Markets, where he is responsible for the customizations, development, and implementation of new verticals (Property Management System and Maintenance Management System).

He has a solid knowledge of and skills in technical aspects of Dynamics AX 2009 and 2012. He is also working as a freelance Dynamics AX Technical Consultant. He has provided development services to many organizations in Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and Canada. He is also a Microsoft Certified Professional (MCP) for Dynamics AX Development and MorphX Solution Development.

He lives in Riyadh, KSA with his family. He is always happy to share useful AX development tricks on his blog (nasheet.wordpress.com). He can be contacted via LinkedIn at http://sa.linkedin.com/in/nasheet.

Saptha Wanniarachchi is a certified and experienced IT professional from Sri Lanka with quite extensive professional experience, in particular with Microsoft Dynamics-based Business Solutions. She is currently employed with SML, Sri Lanka, an international global branding and packaging company. She takes particular pride in her ability in infrastructure design and implementations for Microsoft Dynamics AX/NAV ERP Systems, system automation, and CRM solutions.

She has worked on the book:

Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012 Security How-To

www.PacktPub.com

Support files, eBooks, discount offers and more

You might want to visit www.PacktPub.com for support files and downloads related to your book.

Did you know that Packt offers eBook versions of every book published, with PDF and ePub files available? You can upgrade to the eBook version at www.PacktPub.com and as a print book customer, you are entitled to a discount on the eBook copy. Get in touch with us at for more details.

At www.PacktPub.com, you can also read a collection of free technical articles, sign up for a range of free newsletters and receive exclusive discounts and offers on Packt books and eBooks.

http://PacktLib.PacktPub.com

Do you need instant solutions to your IT questions? PacktLib is Packt's online digital book library. Here, you can access, read and search across Packt's entire library of books.

Why Subscribe?

Fully searchable across every book published by Packt

Copy and paste, print and bookmark content

On demand and accessible via web browser

Free Access for Packt account holders

If you have an account with Packt at www.PacktPub.com, you can use this to access PacktLib today and view nine entirely free books. Simply use your login credentials for immediate access.

Instant Updates on New Packt Books

Get notified! Find out when new books are published by following @PacktEnterprise on Twitter, or the Packt Enterprise Facebook page.