Modifier with Visual Basic with Applications (VBA) in Microsoft Dynamics GP 9.0

Course 8520: Three days; Instructor-led

Introduction
The three-day Microsoft DynamicsT GP Modifier with VBA course explores using the Modifier and VBA tool to customize Microsoft Dynamics GP windows and reports. This course shows you how to modify windows based on user needs, make global changes to graphics and text, and add fields to forms. This course will also show you how to add VBA programming code to enhance the functionality of Microsoft Dynamics GP windows and reports.

A thorough understanding of these tools allows you to integrate data from Dynamics GP to external applications. You will learn how to work with third-party dictionaries within the VBA project. This course also teaches you how to change default values, populate data fields, and store and retrieve data saved in your own tables.

Audience
Individuals desiring to increase their knowledge and the skills necessary to customize Dynamics GP windows and reports.

Modifier with VBA training is recommended for anyone who plans to customize Microsoft Dynamics GP. The class is targeted toward developers or end users. Some knowledge of programming is helpful but not required.

At Course Completion
After completing this course, students should be able to:

• Modify Dynamics GP windows and reports to expand the functionality of the solutions

• Customize Dynamics GP to suit user needs

• Control security for modified windows and reports to ensure proper access to approved users

• Capture and store additional data within the system while maintaining integration to the financial series

• Integrate external data with Dynamics GP using Active Data Objects (ADO)

• Reference data within Third Party dictionaries

Prerequisites
Before attending this course, students must have:

• General knowledge of Microsoft® Windows®

• Working knowledge of Microsoft Dynamics GP

• Basic knowledge of database and programming i.e., experience with database using tools such as Microsoft® Visual Basic® and Microsoft® Access is recommended.

Microsoft Certified Professional Exams
This course helps you prepare for the following Microsoft Certified Professional exams:

• Certified Professional - MBS Dynamics GP Modifier with VBA

Course Materials
The student materials include a comprehensive workbook and other necessary items for this class.

Course Outline
Chapter 1: Modifier Overview

This chapter gives students a general overview of the features and benefits of using Modifier. It also informs the student how to locate and store the customized windows and forms.

Main Topics

• Modifier Features and Benefits

• Getting Started

• Overview of the Dynamics GP Modifier

• Test Your Skills - Exercises

After completing this chapter, students should be able to:

• Identify the features and benefits available when using Modifier.

• Identify the navigation used to access and customize a window.

• Identify the files used to store the customizations.

• Identify the layout tools used to make the customizations such as the layout window, the toolbox and the properties window.

Chapter 2: Modifying Window and Form Properties

This chapter focuses on the procedures used to customize window and form properties. You examine in detail the options available to customize windows and forms to reflect the way your organization does business. Time is spent discussing the benefits of using changing window properties.

Main Topics

• Setting Window Properties

• Changing the Opening Position of a Window

Labs

• Setting Window Options

• Changing the Opening Position of a Window

After completing this chapter, students should be able to:

• Customize settings for Window Properties.

• Change where a window opens so two separate windows can be open at the same time displaying more detail information.

Chapter 3: Customizing Window Layouts

This chapter explores how to customize window displays. Learn how to modify fields in the window layout. Time is spent discussing how to create and add fields to an existing Dynamics GP window. Time is also spent learning how to work with scrolling windows. Learn how to set the tab sequence and how to add graphics to a window.

Main Topics

• Changing Individual Window Displays

• Modifying Fields in a Dynamics GP Window

• Adding Fields to a Window

• Adding Fields to a Scrolling Window

• Setting the Tab Sequence

• Adding Graphics to a Window

Labs

• Modifying Individual Window Prompts

• Modifying Field Displays

• Adding Fields to a Window

• Adding Fields to a Scrolling Window

After completing this chapter, students should be able to:

• Understand which window displays can be changed.

• Examine and customize fields in a window.

• Add a local field to an existing Dynamics GP window.

• Add fields to a scrolling window.

• Change the tab sequence of a window.

• Add or modify graphics on a window.

Chapter 4: Changing Resources

This chapter examines the steps necessary to change global resources. This process includes making a change to global resources and having that change displayed throughout the entire dictionary. Time is spent discussing resources that can be customized globally and what affect the change might have.

Main Topics

• Changing Other Global Resources

• Pictures

• Native Pictures

• Data Types and Formats

• Customizing Strings

• Customizing Messages

Lab

• Changing Data Formats

• Modifying Push Button Data Types

• Changing Strings in Dynamics GP

After completing this chapter, students should be able to:

• Modify global resources such as strings.

• Create or Change Pictures in the dictionary.

• Alter data types and formats to change the display of field information.

• Customize a string to reflect the type of business you work with.

• Alter messages to end users.

Chapter 5: VBA Overview

This chapter examines the available VBA components. Methods, Properties and Events are introduced in this section. Time is spent discussing how and why to create User Forms. Time is also spent discussing what variables are and how to use them. You will also learn how to compile and debug code within VBA.

Main Topics

• Introduction

• Supported VBA 6.0 Features

• Dynamics GP VBA Components

• Building a User Form

• Variable Declarations

• Compiling and Debugging VBA

After completing this chapter, students should be able to:

• Understand which VBA features are supported.

• Recognize VBA components.

• Create a User Form and add buttons and basic VBA programming to make it functional.

• Differentiate between local and global variables and know how to declare them.

• Use the Compiling and Debugging tools within the VBA application.

Chapter 6: Working with Windows and Window Fields

This chapter examines the steps necessary to add window and window fields to the VBA project. Time is spent discussing what methods and events are useful to customize displays or change the business logic of a window. Events will be used to execute VBA code you write. This section is filled with hands-on exercises to improve VBA skills.

Main Topics

• Overview

• Adding Windows and Window Fields to your Project

• Using Methods and Properties

• Using Events

Lab

• Disabling Fields

• Locking Fields

• Setting Required Fields

• Conditionally Disabling Fields

• Opening Lookup Windows

• Changing Dialog Messages

• Restricting Data in Fields

• Setting Drop-Down Fields

• Calculating and Setting Field Values

After completing this chapter, students should be able to:

• Add windows and fields to the VBA project.

• Write VBA code to customize data being displayed.

• Change field properties through code.

• Determine which events will work best with different scenarios.

Chapter 7: Working with Grids and Grid Fields

This chapter examines the steps necessary to add grids and grid fields to the VBA project. Time is spent discussing the different events used to execute VBA code for grids. This section is filled with hands-on exercises to improve VBA skills.

Main Topics

• Adding Grids and Grid Fields to your Project

• Using Methods and Properties

• Using Events

Lab

• Setting Field Values in a Grid

• Restricting Data in Grid Fields

• Setting Field Values on Different Lines in a Grid

After completing this chapter, students should be able to:

• Add grids and grid fields to the VBA project .

• Write VBA code to customize data being displayed.

• Alter data being displayed in a grid.

• Control the movement of the cursor to determine if a line item in a grid can be added.

Chapter 8: Storing Additional Data

This chapter demonstrates how to save and retrieve information stored in additional tables. Methods and Properties will be discussed in detail as these same events would be used with other storage options.

Main Topics

• Dynamics User Object Store (DUOS) Overview

• Using Methods and Properties for DUOS Objects

• Using DUOS Objects with Dynamics GP

Lab

• Adding Fields to a Dynamics GP Window Using Modifier

• Retrieving from the DUOS table

• Saving from the DUOS table

• Deleting from the DUOS table

• Selectively Deleting Records

After completing this chapter, students should be able to:

• Work with DUOS tables to add and retrieve data from Dynamics GP windows.

• Customize Dynamics GP windows to add a new field, and then display data in that new field.

• Programmatically determine if data should be removed from tables to keep referential integrity between the Dynamics GP tables and the DUOS tables.

Chapter 9: Working with Reports and Report Fields

This chapter demonstrates how to add reports and report fields to the VBA project. Methods and Properties will be discussed in detail. Time is spent using VBA functions to properly display data in the report. An exercise demonstrates how to create calculated fields to hold data retrieved from the DUOS table.

Main Topics

• Overview

• Adding Reports and Report Fields to your VBA Project

• Using Methods and Properties for Report Fields

• Using VBA Functions in your Project

• Using Report Events

Lab

• Adding Fields to Existing Dynamics GP Reports

• Populating Calculated Fields in Dynamics GP Reports

After completing this chapter, students should be able to:

• Add reports and report field to the VBA project.

• Determine when to use functions to display data properly in a report.

• Programmatically display data from DUOS tables.

Chapter 10: Accessing Data Using ODBC

This chapter discusses how to set up and install ADO. Time is spent learning how to retrieve and update data in Dynamics GP using ADO.

Main Topics

• Overview

• Setup and Installation of ODBC Drivers

• Setup and Installation of Data Access Method

Lab

• Adding Local Fields to a Dynamics GP Window using Modifier

• Populating Local Fields with Data using ADO and VBA Code

After completing this chapter, students should be able to:

• Determine which data access method will work best for their project.

• Programmatically alter data in a Dynamics GP table using ADO.

Chapter 11: Working with Multiple Third-Party VBA Projects

This chapter discusses how to work with multiple VBA projects. You will learn that not all information you might need to work with is located in the Dynamics GP dictionary. Time is spent working with an exercise demonstrating how to access values in other VBA projects.

Main Topics

• Working With Objects in Other Dictionaries

Lab

• Modifying a Third-Party Lookup Window to Display Specific Information

After completing this chapter, students should be able to:

• Mark references to multiple VBA projects to allow access to data.

• Determine how to customize a third party window.

• Write VBA code to control the data being displayed in a third-party window.

Chapter 12: Distributing Your VBA Project

This chapter discusses how to distribute the VBA customizations to the end users. Detailed information will be given regarding import and export issues the user might encounter. Discussion will also be held regarding how to upgrade the customizations.

Main Topics

• Distributing VBA Customizations

After completing this chapter, students should be able to:

• Distribute customizations made using Import Package Files.

• Identify that computers have the appropriate files needed for a successful implementation of a VBA Project.

• Determine if imports work properly.

Appendix A: Test Your Knowledge

This appendix focuses on measuring the comprehension of the trainees on Dynamics GP Modifier and Dynamics GP Visual Basic Applications. The answers to each test are included in this appendix.

Main Topics

• Test Your Knowledge for Modifier

• Test Your Knowledge for Visual Basic Applications

Appendix B: Lab Answers and Solutions

This appendix has the solutions to the labs provided in the chapters throughout this training manual.

Main Topics

• Lab 2.1 - Setting Window Options

• Lab 2.2 - Changing the Opening Position of a Window

• Lab 3.1 - Modifying Individual Window Prompts