The biggest drawback of Navision Report tool

bks

Hey all...

I find one drawback of Navision Report tool which is..

You can not expand records horizontally with 1 variable as can be done vertically in Body Data Item...

This drawback has impact especially while creating matix type of report...

DenSter

Sure you can, it depends on the limitations of the variable how far you can extend it. That's not a function of the report tool but the data type of the variable.

bks

DenSter wrote:

it depends on the limitations of the variable how far you can extend it.

Why do we need to extend? This is where the limitation comes in. We dont need to extend while putting the varaible in Body Data Item. It gets repeated automatically

nrapendra

yes,you r right.this is limitation in navision.
while designing reports with crystal report we can do this with crosstab reports.

DenSter

I have absolutely no clue what you are talking about :-k

As long as it's not something fancy graphically, I have not run into a situation where I couldn't put something on a report. Give us an example of something that you cannot do with the report designer.

bks

DenSter wrote:

Give us an example of something that you cannot do with the report designer.

How to make Item Availability by Location report? Item should be displayed vertically.. Locations should be displayed horizontally...

I can use Item No. in the body section to display it vertically (vertical loop). But How do I use only 1 variable for displaying location horizontally (horizontal loop)???

DenSter

Try an array

bks

I tried using array only and it is working well but I am not satisfied coz that is "indirect" hardcoding.

For example- I have 5 locations in my company so I will display 5 different array variables. What if a 6th location is added? I will have to go and add a 6th array variable in my report design. It will not be done automatically. This can be repeated any number of times...!!

ara3n

Cross tab grouping horizontal instead. Each column becomes a group.

Navision you can only do group vertically.

bks

ara3n wrote:

Cross tab grouping horizontal instead. Each column becomes a group.

Navision you can only do group vertically.

I did not get you :shock:

kine

For all: he wants to get Matrixbox on report
For bks: ara3n means, that instead:

             Loc1    Loc2    Loc3 .... LocY
Item1       N11       N12       N13       N1Y
Item2       N21
Item3       N31
...
ItemX       NX1

you can use something like

Loc1
    Item1    N11
    Item2    N21
    ...
    ItemX    NX1
Loc1  total N_1

Loc2
    Item1    N12
    Item2    N22
    ...
    ItemX    NX2
Loc   total N_2


...

bks

but this is another category of report alltogether. its grouping by location! The customer is denying for such format. He wants Matrix only!!!

bks

May be I should ask my customer to use matrix form and get the report in excel istead! ... it will increase my work

ara3n

Here is an example of crosstab report done in navision using array. Download it and learn it.

OBJECT Report 50000 Example crosstab
{
  OBJECT-PROPERTIES
  {
    Date=09/09/07;
    Time=[ 4:18:44 PM];
    Modified=Yes;
    Version List=;
  }
  PROPERTIES
  {
  }
  DATAITEMS
  {
    { PROPERTIES
      {
        DataItemTable=Table27;
        OnAfterGetRecord=BEGIN
                           SETRANGE("Location Filter");
                           CALCFIELDS(Inventory);
                           Int := 1;
                           TotalQty := Inventory;
                           IF Location.FINDSET THEN REPEAT
                              ArrayTitle[Int] := Location.Code;
                              SETFILTER("Location Filter",Location.Code);
                              CALCFIELDS(Inventory);
                              ArrayValue[Int] := Inventory;
                              Int += 1;
                           UNTIL Location.NEXT = 0;
                         END;

        ReqFilterFields=No.;
        GroupTotalFields=No.;
      }
      SECTIONS
      {
        { PROPERTIES
          {
            SectionType=Header;
            PrintOnEveryPage=Yes;
            SectionWidth=18150;
            SectionHeight=1692;
          }
          CONTROLS
          {
            { 1000000001;Label  ;0    ;0    ;7500 ;423  ;FontSize=8;
                                                         FontBold=Yes;
                                                         CaptionML=[ENU=Item;
                                                                    FRC=Article;
                                                                    ENC=Item] }
            { 1000000002;TextBox;15000;0    ;3150 ;423  ;HorzAlign=Right;
                                                         SourceExpr=FORMAT(TODAY,0,4) }
            { 1000000003;TextBox;0    ;423  ;7500 ;423  ;SourceExpr=COMPANYNAME }
            { 1000000004;TextBox;17700;423  ;450  ;423  ;CaptionML=ENU=Page;
                                                         SourceExpr=CurrReport.PAGENO }
            { 1000000005;Label  ;16950;423  ;750  ;423  ;ParentControl=1000000004 }
            { 1000000006;TextBox;15900;846  ;2250 ;423  ;HorzAlign=Right;
                                                         SourceExpr=USERID }
          }
           }
        { PROPERTIES
          {
            SectionType=Header;
            PrintOnEveryPage=Yes;
            SectionWidth=18150;
            SectionHeight=1269;
          }
          CONTROLS
          {
            { 1000000009;Label  ;0    ;0    ;1500 ;846  ;ParentControl=1000000008;
                                                         VertAlign=Bottom;
                                                         FontBold=Yes;
                                                         MultiLine=Yes }
            { 1000000012;Label  ;1650 ;0    ;4500 ;846  ;ParentControl=1000000011;
                                                         VertAlign=Bottom;
                                                         FontBold=Yes;
                                                         MultiLine=Yes }
            { 1000000018;Label  ;6300 ;0    ;1800 ;846  ;ParentControl=1000000017;
                                                         VertAlign=Bottom;
                                                         FontBold=Yes;
                                                         MultiLine=Yes;
                                                         CaptionML=ENU=Total Qty }
            { 1000000016;TextBox;8250 ;0    ;1800 ;846  ;HorzAlign=Right;
                                                         FontBold=Yes;
                                                         SourceExpr=ArrayTitle[1] }
            { 1000000019;TextBox;10350;0    ;1800 ;846  ;HorzAlign=Right;
                                                         FontBold=Yes;
                                                         SourceExpr=ArrayTitle[2] }
            { 1000000020;TextBox;14400;0    ;1800 ;846  ;HorzAlign=Right;
                                                         FontBold=Yes;
                                                         SourceExpr=ArrayTitle[4] }
            { 1000000021;TextBox;12450;0    ;1800 ;846  ;HorzAlign=Right;
                                                         FontBold=Yes;
                                                         SourceExpr=ArrayTitle[3] }
            { 1000000026;TextBox;16350;0    ;1800 ;846  ;HorzAlign=Right;
                                                         FontBold=Yes;
                                                         SourceExpr=ArrayTitle[5] }
          }
           }
        { PROPERTIES
          {
            SectionType=Body;
            SectionWidth=18150;
            SectionHeight=423;
          }
          CONTROLS
          {
            { 1000000008;TextBox;0    ;0    ;1500 ;423  ;HorzAlign=Left;
                                                         SourceExpr="No." }
            { 1000000011;TextBox;1650 ;0    ;4500 ;423  ;HorzAlign=Left;
                                                         SourceExpr=Description }
            { 1000000017;TextBox;6300 ;0    ;1800 ;423  ;HorzAlign=Right;
                                                         SourceExpr=TotalQty }
            { 1000000000;TextBox;8250 ;0    ;1800 ;423  ;HorzAlign=Right;
                                                         SourceExpr=ArrayValue[1] }
            { 1000000022;TextBox;10350;0    ;1800 ;423  ;HorzAlign=Right;
                                                         SourceExpr=ArrayValue[2] }
            { 1000000023;TextBox;12450;0    ;1800 ;423  ;HorzAlign=Right;
                                                         SourceExpr=ArrayValue[3] }
            { 1000000024;TextBox;14400;0    ;1800 ;423  ;HorzAlign=Right;
                                                         SourceExpr=ArrayValue[4] }
            { 1000000025;TextBox;16350;0    ;1800 ;423  ;HorzAlign=Right;
                                                         SourceExpr=ArrayValue[5] }
          }
           }
      }
       }
  }
  REQUESTFORM
  {
    PROPERTIES
    {
      Width=9020;
      Height=3410;
    }
    CONTROLS
    {
    }
  }
  CODE
  {
    VAR
      ArrayTitle@1000000000 : ARRAY [100] OF Text[30];
      ArrayValue@1000000001 : ARRAY [100] OF Decimal;
      Location@1000000002 : Record 14;
      Int@1000000003 : Integer;
      TotalQty@1000000004 : Decimal;

    BEGIN
    END.
  }
}

I would say the biggest drawback of navision report tool is the inexperienced developer.

idiot

The biggest draw back of Navision Report tool is it requires experienced developers.

But it's caused by VARs saying how easy it is to create a report...ended up causing misinterpreted expectations.
Even experienced users of reporting tools have problems with BA... :evil:

ara3n

There are several other solutions for writing reports.
They all have weakness and strength.
You can even use excel as your reporting tool. ODBC into any datasource, and write your query. But most people don't, because it's hard to write some complex query.

I bet it will take several weeks to write an aging report as of a certain date using sql query.

idiot

For aging reports it will depend on how the tables are designed & also how well the table relations are defined.
You could have an aging table & just use SQL to select or you can have complex table joints & unions...

For Navision Reports one needs to manage his expectations...
eg...
Compare to Excel or Crystal Reports it's primitive (no color, etc)...
Compare to Dos it's advanced (click & drag, etc)...

It's all about managing expectations & taking what is heard with a pinch of salt...

ajhvdb

Two months ago, I gave a training to a technical customer regarding the reporting tool. His conclusion was "it that al there is??".

After creating some reports he must admit "it takes some time to get used to.. but it does what you want".

bks

ara3n wrote:

I would say the biggest drawback of navision report tool is the inexperienced developer.

Dear ara3n... I was talking about the same formatting using arrays. I repeat here again that if you add one more location, you have to add one more array text box and this is where the restriction comes in.

I dont want to add the text boxes every now and then. I want it dynamic Tell me whether it is possible or not or I take it as not possible thing in Navision

ara3n

A page has only certain number of length. So having dynamically add columns will not print on the page. The Array is 50 of length so you can add the column but they will be blank.

nrapendra

ara3n wrote:

Here is an example of crosstab report done in navision using array. Download it and learn it.

I would say the biggest drawback of navision report tool is the inexperienced developer.

my dear friend,

there is nothing to learn from it.
it is simplest and unvalued solution.which every developer will give at the time when he go for the solution.

bks

ara3n wrote:

A page has only certain number of length. So having dynamically add columns will not print on the page. The Array is 50 of length so you can add the column but they will be blank.

I can anyways choose Orientation as Landscape and paper size as A3. Now, I will have enough space for dynamic horizontal exapansion 8)

bks

nrapendra wrote:

my dear friend,

there is nothing to learn from it.
it is simplest and unvalued solution.which every developer will give at the time when he go for the solution.

=D> =D> =D> =D> =D>

bbrown

bks wrote:

ara3n wrote:

A page has only certain number of length. So having dynamically add columns will not print on the page. The Array is 50 of length so you can add the column but they will be blank.

I can anyways choose Orientation as Landscape and paper size as A3. Now, I will have enough space for dynamic horizontal exapansion 8)

No, you just have more space.

bks

bbrown wrote:

No, you just have more space.

Anyways.. my original question was not about spacing but whether horizontal looping is possible or not. 8)

ara3n

bks wrote:

bbrown wrote:

No, you just have more space.

Anyways.. my original question was not about spacing but whether horizontal looping is possible or not. 8)

Calling it "The biggest drawback of Navision Report tool" doesn't help anybody.

Coming to the realization that that cross tab was not built into the product now after 55K companies using it for years doesn't change anything.

Anyways I mentioned before you can use other reporting tools. What is stopping you?

bks

ara3n wrote:

Anyways I mentioned before you can use other reporting tools. What is stopping you?

The topic is all about Navision Reporting Tool...

I think I should stop the topic here concluding that... dynamic horizontal looping is not possible in Navision!

DenSter

bks wrote:

I think I should stop the topic here concluding that... dynamic horizontal looping is not possible in Navision!

Yes it is possible, you just don't know how, and you're not really listening to suggestions as to how to accomplish it.

kine

On the matrix form you see just a few columns too. What is the difference between report with array and the form? Just that on the form it is interactive and you can scroll. But you can do same on the report, just add the control, which locations you want to show. Rest is same. That you maximize the form on the screen is just the same like when you set the report to landscape and A3... 8)