Usingexporttoexcelindynamicsaxtocreatereportingdatasources 131011114518-phpapp02

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USING EXPORT TO EXCEL IN DYNAMICS AX TO

CREATE REPORTING DATA SOURCES

Dynamics AX | Excel | Reporting | Business Intelligence

The Export To Excel button may not seem like the most impressive feature of Dynamics AX, but don’t be fooled. If you look closely, you will notice that the when the data is exported to Excel, the data is still linked to Dynamics AX through the Excel Add-In, which means that once it is in your workbook, you can refresh it at any time without having to re-export. Also, if you want to add additional fields after the export from AX, then you can do that directly from Excel. This means that you can export data from any screen within Dynamics AX and then create reports and analysis within Excel that you can use over and over again without any additional work.

In this walkthrough we will show how you can use the Export to Excel function within Dynamics AX to create live worksheets in Excel.


CREATING A LINKED WORKSHEET USING

EXPORT TO EXCELExporting data from Dynamics AX to Excel is as simple as pushing a button. Once the data is there you can refresh it at any time, which is the invaluable part.

In this example we will show how you can export data to Excel, and how you can manipulate the data once it’s there.


Creating a Linked

Worksheet using

Export To Excel

From any grid form in Dynamics AX, click on the Export to Microsoft Excel button within the ribbon bar.


Creating a Linked

Worksheet using

Export To Excel

When all of the data has been transferred over to Excel, switch to the Dynamics AX tab, and you will notice that the buttons for refreshing, filtering, and also editing the fields will be enabled, showing that you have data linked back to Dynamics AX.


Creating a Linked

Worksheet using

Export To Excel

If you click on the Fields button in the Design group of the Dynamics AX ribbon bar, you will be able to see the source query that was used to extract the data from Dynamics AX.


Creating a Linked

Worksheet using

Export To Excel

You can drag and drop any additional fields over to the worksheet.


Creating a Linked

Worksheet using

Export To Excel

If you click the Fields button to return to view mode, and then the Refresh button within the Data group of the Dynamics AX ribbon bar, then your data will be updated, including any of the new fields that you added to the worksheet.


Creating a Linked

Worksheet using

Export To Excel

If you add new data into Dynamics AX…


Creating a Linked

Worksheet using

Export To Excel

And refresh the data, then the new records will be returned to the worksheet.


EXPORTING FILTERED DATA TO EXCEL

Another feature of the Export to Excel function is that if you filter the data within the Dynamics AX forms and then export the data, then the filter will be configured within the Dynamics AX Add-On as well, filtering out the data that Excel retrieves.

In this example we will show how a filtered export is exported to Excel.


Exporting Filtered

Data To Excel

Add a filter condition to the data within Dynamics AX that you want to export and then click on the Export to Microsoft Excel button.


Exporting Filtered

Data To Excel

If you click on the Filter button within the Data group of the Dynamics AX ribbon bar, then you will notice that the filter from the Dynamics AX form is automatically applied to your worksheet query.


ADDING ADDITIONAL TABLES TO EXPORTS

Some of the table forms within Dynamics AX source data from a number of different tables, and all of these additional linked tables are also available to you through the fields list within Excel after you export the data there. This means that you may be able to query more information than the base data that is shown in the export.

In this example we will show you how you can add data from additional tables after exporting tables from Dynamics AX to Excel.


Adding Additional

Tables to Exports

Start off by exporting data from Dynamics AX to Excel by clicking on the Export to Microsoft Excel button. In this example we are exporting data from the Customers form.


Adding Additional

Tables to Exports

After the data has been exported, if you click on the Fieldsbutton within the Design group of the Dynamics AX ribbon bar, then you will see the additional linked tables at the bottom.


Adding Additional

Tables to Exports

You can add the fields to the existing query, or create a disconnected query by dragging the field over to the worksheet with a column separating the original query.


Adding Additional

Tables to Exports

You can continue adding additional fields to your worksheet, and when you are finished, click on the Fieldsbutton in the Design group of the Dynamics AX ribbon bar to exit design mode.


Adding Additional

Tables to Exports

Click the Refresh button within the Data group of the Dynamics AX ribbon bar to refresh the information, and all of your data from the sub-table will be returned in addition to the original data in the query.


Adding Additional

Tables to Exports

Now you can use all of the features within Excel to present the information however you like.

This is too cool.


SUMMARY

Almost any ERP system is able to export data to Excel, but to have it linked back to Dynamics AX automatically so that the data is automatically refreshed is not so common.

Any user is able to create their own data extracts, without having to know anything about the database, making it possible for them to:

• Create personal analysis dashboards

• Run statistical calculations on the data

• Create custom reports for others in the organization

The opportunities for the users to take advantage of this are huge, so give it a go.

Dynamics AX is built on a number of foundation products from Microsoft that are used to make it bigger, better, and stronger than the average business system. Taking advantage of these products will make your life easier. Use these tools to maximize the efficiency of your business management, taking advantage of a powerful and centralized tool set.

"Extending Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012 Cookbook" will show you how to use tools that you already have to extend out Dynamics AX and discover potential new directions. You will be surprised at what you can do on a shoestring budget. The book will allow you to streamline your work processes, and use the system's powerful and centralized features to the advantage of your organization.

"Extending Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012 Cookbook" will show you how to maximize the potential of Dynamics AX with common and popular tools to enhance your business management systems. We will begin by exploring how to extend Dynamics AX out with SharePoint. After this, the book will guide you through important elements in maximizing business management efficiency, focusing on key aspects like reports, dashboards, and workflows. The book will then finish by teaching you how to customize your management systems, achieving a comprehensive coverage of the most important extension processes relevant to you and your business with very little programming.

This is a book for those of you that want to make the most out of Dynamics AX by using what you already have, and without breaking the bank.

FACEBOOK: http://www.facebook.com/extendingdynamicsaxPACKT: http://www.packtpub.com/extending-microsoft-dynamics-ax-2012-cookbook/book

Want to learn more?Then pick up a copy of my book and show your support to a struggling author

http://www.packtpub.com/extending-microsoft-dynamics-ax-2012-cookbook/book

http://slideshare.net/murrayfife/presentationsFACEBOOK: http://www.facebook.com/extendingdynamicsax

Murray FifeMicrosoft MVP

Technology

Usingexporttoexcelindynamicsaxtocreatereportingdatasources 131011114518-phpapp02