Epicor ERP Introduction To AFR Course

Epicor ERP
Introduction to Advanced
Financial Reporting Course
9.05.701
Disclaimer
This document is for informational purposes only and is subject to change without notice. This document and its
contents, including the viewpoints, dates and functional content expressed herein are believed to be accurate as of its
date of publication. However, Epicor Software Corporation makes no guarantee, representations or warranties with
regard to the enclosed information and specifically disclaims any applicable implied warranties, such as fitness for a
particular purpose, merchantability, satisfactory quality or reasonable skill and care. As each user of Epicor software is
likely to be unique in their requirements in the use of such software and their business processes, users of this document
are always advised to discuss the content of this document with their Epicor account manager. All information contained
herein is subject to change without notice and changes to this document since printing and other important information
about the software product are made or published in release notes, and you are urged to obtain the current release
notes for the software product. We welcome user comments and reserve the right to revise this publication and/or
make improvements or changes to the products or programs described in this publication at any time, without notice.
The usage of any Epicor software shall be pursuant to an Epicor end user license agreement and the performance of
any consulting services by Epicor personnel shall be pursuant to Epicor's standard services terms and conditions. Usage
of the solution(s) described in this document with other Epicor software or third party products may require the purchase
of licenses for such other products. Where any software is expressed to be compliant with local laws or requirements
in this document, such compliance is not a warranty and is based solely on Epicor's current understanding of such laws
and requirements. All laws and requirements are subject to varying interpretations as well as to change and accordingly
Epicor cannot guarantee that the software will be compliant and up to date with such changes. All statements of
platform and product compatibility in this document shall be considered individually in relation to the products referred
to in the relevant statement, i.e., where any Epicor software is stated to be compatible with one product and also
stated to be compatible with another product, it should not be interpreted that such Epicor software is compatible
with both of the products running at the same time on the same platform or environment. Additionally platform or
product compatibility may require the application of Epicor or third-party updates, patches and/or service packs and
Epicor has no responsibility for compatibility issues which may be caused by updates, patches and/or service packs
released by third parties after the date of publication of this document. Epicor® is a registered trademark and/or
trademark of Epicor Software Corporation in the United States, certain other countries and/or the EU. All other
trademarks mentioned are the property of their respective owners. Copyright © Epicor Software Corporation 2012.
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form without the prior written consent of
Epicor Software Corporation.
ED894905
90521-905-2001-583701
9.05.701
Revision: September 26, 2012 6:16 p.m.
Total pages: 52
course.ditaval
Introduction to Advanced Financial Reporting Course Contents
Contents
Introduction to Advanced Financial Reporting Course........................................................5
Before You Begin....................................................................................................................6
Audience.........................................................................................................................................................6
Prerequisites....................................................................................................................................................6
Environment Setup.................................................................................................................7
Overview.................................................................................................................................8
AFR Data Replication............................................................................................................10
Application Tools and Modules...........................................................................................12
AFR License Requester and Logon Server........................................................................................................12
Report Designer.............................................................................................................................................12
Report Viewer................................................................................................................................................13
AFR Financial Data Security Manager.............................................................................................................13
Setup.....................................................................................................................................14
Design Financial Reports......................................................................................................14
Row Sets and Definitions...............................................................................................................................14
Row Definitions......................................................................................................................................15
General...........................................................................................................................................15
Row Definition - Expression Builder..................................................................................................16
Account Sum...........................................................................................................................16
Account List.............................................................................................................................17
Expression................................................................................................................................18
Row Sum.................................................................................................................................19
List..................................................................................................................................................19
Workshop - Create a Row Set.................................................................................................................20
Name the Row Set...........................................................................................................................20
Define Rows....................................................................................................................................21
Define Additional Rows...................................................................................................................22
Reorganize Rows.............................................................................................................................22
Add a Row......................................................................................................................................22
Delete Rows....................................................................................................................................23
Column Sets and Definitions..........................................................................................................................23
Detail......................................................................................................................................................24
Column Definitions.................................................................................................................................24
Column Filters.................................................................................................................................25
Column Definitions - Expression Builder...........................................................................................27
Workshop - Create a Column Set...........................................................................................................30
Name the Column Set.....................................................................................................................30
Define a Column.............................................................................................................................30
Define Additional Columns..............................................................................................................31
Add Column Filters..........................................................................................................................32
Epicor ERP | 9.05.701 3

Contents Introduction to Advanced Financial Reporting Course
Reports..........................................................................................................................................................32
Security..................................................................................................................................................33
Parameters.............................................................................................................................................34
Workshop - Create a Detailed Income Statement Report..................................................................35
Select Report Components.......................................................................................................35
Add Report Parameters............................................................................................................35
Header Footer.........................................................................................................................................37
Workshop - Design a Report Header and Footer..............................................................................38
Options..................................................................................................................................................39
Workshop - Format the Numeric Values for the Report....................................................................39
Workshop - Preview the Report.......................................................................................................40
Report Definition Language Files.............................................................................................................40
Workshop - Generate an RDL File....................................................................................................40
Workshop - View the Report...........................................................................................................41
Drill Down Report...................................................................................................................................41
Workshop - Copy and Update a Report...........................................................................................41
Copy an Existing Report...........................................................................................................41
Add User Security Rights..........................................................................................................42
Update Copied Data.................................................................................................................42
Update Row Definitions............................................................................................................43
Update Column Definitions......................................................................................................44
Workshop - Add a Drill Down Report...............................................................................................44
Workshop - Generate an RDL File....................................................................................................44
Workshop - Drill Down to Report Details.........................................................................................45
Reporting Trees..............................................................................................................................................46
Detail......................................................................................................................................................46
Nodes.....................................................................................................................................................46
Reporting Tree Nodes......................................................................................................................46
Dictionary......................................................................................................................................................48
View Financial Reports.........................................................................................................49
Workshop - Review, Drill Down, and Update Financial Reports.......................................................................49
Launch the Report Viewer from within the Report Designer....................................................................49
Drill Down the Report.............................................................................................................................49
Update Report Parameters in the Report Viewer......................................................................................50
Workshop - Export a Report to Excel®............................................................................................................50
Workshop - Navigate to the Report Viewer and Review Available Functionality...............................................51
Conclusion.............................................................................................................................51
4 Epicor ERP | 9.05.701

Introduction to Advanced Financial Reporting Course Introduction to Advanced Financial Reporting Course
Introduction to Advanced Financial Reporting Course
The Introduction to Advanced Financial Reporting course is designed for users who are new to Advanced Financial
Reporting (AFR), or for those who want to reinforce their knowledge of report designing basics.
The goal of this course is to help users utilizing AFR better understand the modules and application tools that
make up AFR, as well as how to create, manage, and view basic general ledger (GL) reports via AFR.
Upon successful completion of this course, you will be able to:
• Understand the application tools and modules that make up the AFR application.
• Know the significance of the AFR data replication process.
• Design financial report dimensions (row sets, column sets, and reporting trees).
• Work with the Expression Builder in the Report Designer to define the data on which you want to report.
• Add a report header and footer.
• Copy and paste reports and report dimensions.
• Drill down a summary report to display a detailed report.
• Generate report previews.
• Generate report definition language (RDL) files.
• View, print, and export reports you design.
Epicor ERP | 9.05.701 5

Before You Begin Introduction to Advanced Financial Reporting Course
Before You Begin
Read this topic for information you should know in order to successfully complete this course.
Audience
Specific audiences will benefit from this course.

• Account Manager
• CFO/Controller
• System Administrator
• Financial Report Designers
Prerequisites
To complete the workshops in this course, Epicor Advanced Financial Reporting (AFR) must be installed, licensed,
and configured with the training environment for your Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system (for example,
Epicor ERP). Also, you must complete the environment setup steps found in the course topic: Environment Setup.
For information on how to install, license, or configure AFR, contact your Epicor Customer Account Manager
(EpicorCAM@epicor.com) or Technical Support.
6 Epicor ERP | 9.05.701

Introduction to Advanced Financial Reporting Course Environment Setup
Environment Setup
Review the following environment setup steps to ensure successful completion of the workshops in this course.
Verify the following items are installed and functional, or contact your system administrator for assistance.
1. SQL Server 2008 is installed, and Reporting Services enabled.
2. Sonic MQ7.6 is installed and functional.
3. An Epicor 9.05 Training Environment is:

• Installed
• Updated to the the application's current service pack and patch
• Refreshed with the latest version of the Epicor demonstration database prior to starting the course. (The
demonstration database is available on EPICweb -
https://epicweb.epicor.com/Support/epicor9/downloads/Pages/default.aspx)
4. Epicor Advanced Financial Reporting (AFR) is:

• Installed
• Licensed
• Configured to the AFR Logon Server
• Configured to the Epicor 9.05 Training Environment (Menu Path: System Management > Replication >
Replication System Maintenance)
Important Users completing this course must be given security rights to edit reports in the Report
Definition Database setup for training.
5. AFR Report Designer and AFR Report Viewer are both completely configured as specified in the AFR
Installation Guide (available on EPICweb - https://epicweb.epicor.com/doc/Pages/Epicor9.aspx).
6. Epicor Replication Server is:

• Installed
• Linked and configured to AFR
7. The Epicor Replication Server Publisher and Subscriber are configured and initialized.
Epicor ERP | 9.05.701 7

Overview Introduction to Advanced Financial Reporting Course
Overview
Advanced Financial Reporting (AFR) simplifies general ledger (GL) report creation by exposing a user friendly
interface that speaks to the user in financial terms and does not require familiarization with SQL query syntax or
the production database structure outside of the chart of accounts.
The reports you build using AFR contain financial information from various sources you define, and each report
can be set up to pull information from one or multiple books -- reflecting the financial requirements of
multi-company organizations.
Advanced Financial Reporting consists of the following four main components which flow together to effectively
create financial reports:
Rather than reporting directly from the regularly refreshed GL data in your Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP)
application (such as Epicor ERP), AFR uses a process that pulls the required data from the GL to a standardized
Reporting Database. The Reporting Database is the dataset created by the Replication Server. AFR uses the
Reporting Database regardless of whether you have one or multiple GL books, companies, or ERP applications.
Use the Report Designer to define and preview your custom financial reports. After you complete your design,
and the data displays as you expect in the preview, the Report Designer holds the financial reports you create in
a Report Definition Database. You define the Report Definition Database to use while logging in to the Report
Designer.
The AFR Financial Data Security Manager enables companies to restrict which users can access financial data
stored in AFR financial databases, when creating or viewing financial reports. This standalone program is part of
the main AFR installation package.
At report run-time, the Report Viewer pulls the data from the Reporting Database and the report definitions
from the Report Definition Database.
8 Epicor ERP | 9.05.701

Introduction to Advanced Financial Reporting Course Overview
The output of reports you design are deployed and generated out to the Report Viewer using SQL Server Reporting
Services (SSRS). The reports are interactive and contain multilingual capabilities that were not available in previous
financial reporting solutions available to Epicor ERP applications (such as FRx and Management Reporter). You
also have the ability to publish reports to the Web or to Microsoft SharePoint®.
Some additional effort must be made to format the report template the first time you run a report. After you
format the template once, all future reports you run can use the same template, and thus display in the correct
format for your company. After the initial format is set, end users running the report only have to refresh the
report data rather than go back to the Report Designer and generate a new report.
A great benefit of using AFR is that running financial reports does not burden your transactional/production
database. Since the Reporting Database offloads the report and analysis processes from the production database,
transactions are able to process uninterrupted.
Additional components of AFR include the ability to import/export report definitions, as well as the scheduling
and distribution of reports.
Epicor ERP | 9.05.701 9

AFR Data Replication Introduction to Advanced Financial Reporting Course
AFR Data Replication
Financial data is available to Advanced Financial Reporting (AFR) through a data replication process which exports
financial data from your Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) application (for example, Epicor ERP), in real time
and publishes the data to the AFR reporting server.
Data replication retrieves data from specific financial tables defined within the Epicor Replication Server
application. Therefore, only selected general ledger (GL) tables are replicated.
Once the financial data reaches the AFR report server, it is immediately available for reporting. Since the AFR
database schema is optimized for reporting performance, the data is transformed from the source ERP database
schema into the target AFR database schema.
Important AFR must be correctly configured to the replication server for this process to complete
successfully. For additional information on how to install and configure the Replication Server for AFR, refer
to the Advanced Financial Reporting Installation Guide.
SonicMQ Adapter
The SonicMQ® Adapter interfaces with Progress OpenEdge® databases. The application sends the financial data
from your Epicor application to the replication server and on to the reporting server. To activate this functionality,
install the SonicMQ Adapter on each database you need to replicate. The adapter must be running on your report
server in order to synchronize with your AFR environment.
Replication Components
The data replication process is managed by two component systems:
• Publishing Components - You manage the source publishing components within your ERP application. For
example, the Epicor ERP application uses Replication System Maintenance, Replication Profile Maintenance,
Replication Agent Process, and the Replication Log Reader. These components define the specific database
tables from which financial data is pulled or published to the replication server.
• Subscribing Components - The replication server and the subscriber functions are managed through the
Replication Management Console. These components define which target, or subscriber, databases gather
information from the publishing databases. You install this application separately and then access it to define
the subscribing databases.
Replication Flow
The following graphic shows the components involved in replicating data from a source database to a destination
database or the Replication Agent. The numbered descriptions below the graphic help to outline the replication
flow.
10 Epicor ERP | 9.05.701

Introduction to Advanced Financial Reporting Course AFR Data Replication
1. An Epicor source, or publisher, database contains the data you want to replicate. You must define how
the source database interacts with the replication functionality.
2. The Replication Agent and the Replication Log Reader connect the publisher database to the Sonic
server. This server is installed with the SonicMQ Adapter. The Replication Log Reader captures data from
the publishing database and sends it to the replication server. The Replication Agent processes the replication
server requests to the publisher database and, in turn, sends the requested data back to the replication
server.
3. The Sonic server moves the data from the Epicor source database to the replication server. The functionality
uses Sonic messages to send requests back to the publishing database and pull the requested data out to
the replication server.
4. The replication server is a separate .NET component that executes data replication, it pushing the data
out to the target subscribing databases. The replication server can be run as a Windows server or a console
application.
5. One or multiple target databases receive the replicated data. Each target database is assigned to a specific
subscriber. A subscriber is a .NET class that defines how the replication server interacts with the database,
the schematics of the database, and so on.
Note For additional information on how AFR replication data is processed, refer to the AFR Data Replication
topic in the Advanced Financial Reporting User Guide.
Epicor ERP | 9.05.701 11

Application Tools and Modules Introduction to Advanced Financial Reporting Course
Application Tools and Modules
This section of the course reviews the application tools and modules you install which make up your Advanced
Financial Reporting (AFR) application. Each component has a unique function you use during the report creation
process.
Use the AFR application tools to obtain a license from Epicor for your AFR application (AFR License Requester)
and connect your server to the Epicor licensing service (Logon Server).
Use the AFR modules to create a report definition database and design financial reports (Report Designer), as
well as organize and view your financial reports (Report Viewer).
AFR License Requester and Logon Server
Before you can use Advanced Financial Reporting (AFR), you must receive a license for the application from Epicor.
You receive this license by running the AFR License Requester application tool.
The AFR License Requester is a tool that automatically generates a machine identifier which you need to email
back to Epicor for verification. In the email you send back, you must enter your name, the license duration you
require, and how many concurrent users need access to AFR during the licensing period.
Once your license is received and verified, you can activate AFR. After activation, you have access to the AFR
application.
Logon Server
The Logon Server connects your server to the Epicor licensing service. Refer to the Epicor Advanced Financial
Reporting Installation Guide for instructions on how to install the Logon Server.
To start the AFR Logon Service, navigate to:
Windows Path: Start > Control Panel > Administrative Tools > Services
Report Designer
Use the Report Designer module to create custom general ledger (GL) reports.
Within the Report Designer, create reports, define data criteria to report on, design basic report layouts, clean
up report data, generate Report Definition Language (RDL) files, and preview your custom financial reports.
The financial reports you create have three general report dimensions; these dimensions are rows, columns,
and reporting trees. Use the designer to develop each dimension individually and then combine the dimensions
to produce the various reports end users need without having to recreate these reports each time they run. For
example, if you want to view a financial report that illustrates a comparison of budget vs. actual, you can combine
one row set with two different column sets and generate separate reports. Within each report, you can display
multiple books to immediately compare the results for the selected books.
You can also use the Report Designer to create report dictionaries. In each dictionary you create, enter default
datasets to use within row sets, column sets, and reporting trees. The default datasets you create are typically
made up of commonly used expressions, but when added to a dictionary, these expressions can be used to pull
in complex data results. For example, if a set of revenue accounts is spread across multiple account numbers and
12 Epicor ERP | 9.05.701

Introduction to Advanced Financial Reporting Course Application Tools and Modules
are not in an exact range because of the chart of accounts structure, create a dictionary dataset to set up an
expression that automatically pulls in all of these account numbers. By creating a dictionary dataset that tells the
report which accounts are revenue accounts, you avoid having to specify details each time you include those
accounts together in a row set, column set, or reporting tree.
Reporting trees are hierarchies that use elements of GL account codes to define subsets of data that you can
later display on the report.
Once you generate a report, you can preview the report data, generate a Report Definition Language (RDL) file,
review the report structure, and add drill down options to row sets and reports. This gives end users the ability
to display more detailed reports that relate to the information contained within the report rows.
Report Viewer
Use the Epicor AFR Viewer (Report Viewer) module to organize and run the financial reports you design in the
Report Designer.
When you first launch the Report Viewer, you are directed to the SQL Server Reporting Services Home page.
Here, you have the option to create folders in which you can organize your reports, identify data sources that
pull in specific financial data for display in the report, and upload reports and resources you create within a
workstation environment.
When you view reports in the Report Viewer, you can update the parameters previously defined for the report
to specify the data you want to generate each time the custom financial report runs.
In the Report Designer, you have the option to review the data that pulls into the report before you generate
and deploy a Report Definition Language (RDL) file for the report. Launch the viewer from within the designer
to verify the report contains all the necessary information. If you like the results, you can refine the final look of
the report through the available report layout tools.
At any time you are not satisfied with the data that displays in the Report Viewer, launch the Report Designer
and make any necessary row and column changes. However, certain permissions are required to work in the
designer.
AFR Financial Data Security Manager
Use the AFR Financial Data Security Manager to restrict unauthorized access to confidential company financial
data stored in AFR financial databases.
This standalone program enables you to define permissions for certain users or user groups to access restricted
portions of financial data in reports. If AFR Financial Data Security is activated, and a user has not been explicitly
granted permission to view restricted parts of a report, the user is not able to view this confidential data.
You can restrict access for different users or user groups at the database, company, book, or account level.
Epicor ERP | 9.05.701 13

Setup Introduction to Advanced Financial Reporting Course
Setup
Once your Advanced Financial Reporting (AFR) license is active, install and configure your application modules.
In addition to the AFR License Requester, you must install the Report Designer and Report Viewer on the report
server. If you plan to build advanced financial reports on more workstations, you must also install these modules
in those environments.
For a more detailed explanation of AFR setup and configuration processes, download the most current Epicor
Advanced Financial Reporting Installation Guide from EPICWeb
(https://epicweb.epicor.com/doc/Docs/EpicorAFR_Install_905.pdf). Also, refer to the Epicor Advanced Financial
Reporting User Guide - Chapters 1-3.
Design Financial Reports
This section of the course introduces you to the report dimensions and tools available in the Report Designer that
allow you to create and preview your financial reports.
This topic covers the following report dimensions and tools:
• Row Sets
• Column Sets
• Reporting Trees
• Dictionaries
• The Expression Builder
• Report Definition Language (RDL) files
• Report generation
Row Sets and Definitions
Use the sheets under the Row Sets > Detail tab to create, name, describe, and delete row sets, rows, row
definitions, row expressions and row groupings, and to define row set security. You can also define alternate
reports to drill down to from the current report.
You can copy, paste, and update a row set. This is useful if you want to create a second row set that slightly
differs from your first.
The following five row types are available:
• Account Sum - Use this type to select accounts, a range of accounts, or account categories to display on the
selected line at a summary level. This row type gives a summary and the total of all items that equal the
parameter you select.
• Account List - Use this row type to create detail reports rather than summary reports. When this row type
is used, you do not have to define each row individually to get a detailed report. Use this row type to select
a list of current accounts that fit a single selected parameter. Once the parameter definition is set in place,
you do not have to return and amend this row to include new accounts. For example, add one Account List
row to display all your income items. When run, the report displays a list of all the current income accounts
based on the parameter added to the single Account List row.
14 Epicor ERP | 9.05.701

Introduction to Advanced Financial Reporting Course Design Financial Reports
• Row Sum - Use this type to add a selection or series of rows together.
• Formatting Rows - Use the various formatting row types to add breaks to your report. For example, double
line, a single under score, or a page break.
• Expression - Use this type to add mathematical equations based on row references, accounts, account
categories, or another parameter.
• Group Start - Use this type to designate the beginning of a row group. If you enter a Group Start row, you
must also enter a Group End row.
• Group End - Use this type to designate the end of a row group. All rows between a Group Start row and its
corresponding Group End row are included in the group.
Note
Do not use a row of Page break type as the first row in a row set. Setting the Page break as the first row
in a row set does not result in an empty first page.
Set the first row to any other type, then you can set each subsequent row, beginning with the second, to
the Page break type, if you want the following row to be rendered on the next page.
Row Definitions
Use the sheets under the Row Definitions tab to add, delete, format, append, and review report rows. You can
also hide specific rows if necessary, create row groupings, and set up rows with drill down capabilities and specific
numeric value formatting.
General
Use the Row Sets > Detail > Row Definitions > Detail > General sheet to assign a description, type, expression,
and alternate numeric format to each report row. Also use this sheet to enter values in each row for user-defined
properties. In addition, you can hide specific rows if necessary and format (text color, cell color, font type, size,
and style) each row differently.
The following row types are available for entering expressions to specify what data displays in the row: Expression,
Account Sum, Account List, and Row Sum. See the topic Row Definition - Expression Builder for more details.
There are two row types used together to set up row groupings, which enable you to display groups of rows as
summaries on the report: Group Start and Group End.
There are also row types for including lines or under scores in the report: Single under score, Double under
score, Single line, and Double line.
Use the Page break row type to display subsequent rows on a new page in the report.
Note The Page break row type can be used in any row of a row set except the first row.
Leave a report row blank to display a space on the report form. You do not need to define an expression for a
blank row, but it is necessary to select a row type. The row type you select can be either Account Summary or
Account List. The display does not change, although the application requires the selection of one of these two
row types.
If you do not enter a numeric format on a row definition, the values default in from the format you define on
the Reports > Options sheet.
Epicor ERP | 9.05.701 15

Design Financial Reports Introduction to Advanced Financial Reporting Course
Row Definition - Expression Builder
In the Row Definitions > Detail > General sheet, use the Expression Builder to select the account(s), account
category(s), or dictionary definition for each report row.
The Expression Builder form presents you with options based on the type of row you select.
The following sub-topics describe each row type that uses the Expression Builder and the data available for
selection in the builder for each. To access the Expression Builder form, click the ellipsis (...) button next to any
Expression field.
For more information on the Expression Builder, refer to the Expression Builder topic in the Application Help.
Account Sum
In the Expression Builder, select a category to limit the amount of data available to work with as you create your
expression. The expressions available in the Account Summary row type are Accounts, Account Categories, and
Dictionary.
Accounts
When you build an expression based on general ledger (GL) accounts or segment values, use the Available
Accounts/Segments section to review and select accounts or segments values from which the current row can
pull data. The segment and account values available are based on the selection made in the Company and Chart
of accounts fields.
There are two sheets within the Available Accounts/Segments section: Values of segment and Accounts of
chart. Use the Values of Segment 'seg' sheet (where 'seg' is the relevant segment, for example 'Chart',
'Division') to select segment values for the expression. Use the Accounts of Chart 'coaval' sheet (where 'coaval'
is the selected chart of accounts, for example 'Main') to select full GL accounts for the expression.
When using the Values of Segment sheet, if you know the segment value you want to work with, narrow the
list by entering the value in the Value field. This technique also applies to the Description field. If you know the
description of the account/segment for which you are searching, start entering the description in the Description
field and your search list becomes value-specific.
Select the segment value or range of segment values with which you want to work. As you select data, it displays
in the Account Builder section as well as in the Expression field.
Tip To select a range of segment values, highlight the starting value, hold down the Shift key, and select
the ending value. A range of segment values displays in the Expression field as follows:
Starting Value:Ending Value, for example, 1300:1500.
To select multiple segment values that are non-sequential, in the Available Accounts/Segments section, select
the first segment. The value selected displays in the Account Builder section and in the Expression field. The best
way to add more segment values is to directly use the Expression field. In the field, manually enter each value
you want to add, using a comma to separate them. Alternatively, after entering a comma, click on the next
required segment value in the Available Accounts/Segments section.
Tip In the Expression field, use an asterisk (*) to identify wildcards. For example, if you want an expression
to include all chart segment values that start with the number 5, enter 5* in the Expression field. If you
want to include all accounts that have a chart segment value that starts with the number 5, are linked to
division 01, and to any department, in the Expression field, enter 5*-01-*. These examples assume that
your chart of accounts segment structure is chart-division-department.
Note If you make an error while entering data in the Expression field, the cursor changes to the color red
and the OK button disables. The Expression Builder does not allow you to enter data that does not exist
in the Expression field.
16 Epicor ERP | 9.05.701

When using the Accounts of Chart sheet, selecting GL accounts is slightly different. Use this sheet to select full
GL accounts for your expression. The GL accounts available are based on the selection made in the Company
and Chart of accounts fields.
To select a GL account, right-click on the account in the Available Accounts/Segments section, and select Add
from the menu.
Similarly, to select a range of GL accounts, click on the first account in the range, and drag the cursor to the last
account in the range. All the required accounts are then highlighted. Right-click and select Add from the menu
which displays.
To exclude a GL account or range of accounts from a range which you have already entered, select the account
or range you wish to exclude, right-click on it and select Exclude.
Example Your expression shows the range 1000-01-00:6000-01-00. You then exclude account 3000-01-00.
The resulting expression is: 1000-01-00:6000-01-00 ^ 3000-01-00
To enter non-sequential GL accounts, right-click on each GL account in the Available Accounts/Segments section
and select Add. Alternatively, hold down Ctrl and select each account with the mouse, then right-click and select
Add.
You can also replace a GL account or range with another account or range. In the Expression field, click anywhere
on the account or range you want to replace, then select the new GL account or range in the Available
Accounts/Segments section, right-click on it and select Replace from the menu which displays.
Account Categories
When building an expression based on account categories, use the Account Categories section to review and
select categories from which the current row can pull data. The available account categories are from the company
and the chart of accounts that display in the Expression Builder. Account categories display in the parent/child
format. This is helpful for report organization because you have the option to select the Include Subcategories
check box to display a parent category along with its attached children categories. In the Expression field, a
double hash (##) before a Category ID displays when child categories are selected along with the parent.
Dictionary
To build an expression based on a dictionary, you must first create and define that dictionary. For information
on creating dictionaries, refer to the Dictionary and Dictionary Definitions topics in the Application Help.
Once you create and define dictionaries, in the Dictionary Selector section of the Expression Builder, select a
dictionary to use in the expression for the current row.
Account List
The Expression Builder form, available when you select the Account List row type, is similar to the one that displays
when you select the Account Sum row type. The difference between the two row types is in how the data displays
on the end report. For instance, the Account List row type displays a detailed view of the selected data rather
than a summary view.
Note The Account List row type is best used when you create detail reports. For example, create a Summary
Income Statement using Account Sum row types with multiple accounts, account ranges, or account
categories to define each row expression. Next, create a main Income Statement. To do this, take a copy
of the Summary Income Statement row set and change all Account Sum row types to Account List row
types.
The following keywords can be embedded into the description field of Account List rows. For more information
about these keywords, refer to the Column Definitions - Expression Builder topic below.
Epicor ERP | 9.05.701 17

Keyword Name Expression Syntax Example RowDescription value of

the column
Account code {Account} Account{Account} Account1000-01
Account description {AccountDescription} {AccountDescription}:{Account} Payroll:8000-01
Note If the row is within a row group, the field(s) specified in the Group Start row's Expression field is
also available. For more information about groups, refer to the Row Grouping topic.
In Account List rows, you can also specify that only natural account segments display. In the Settings field, enter
NS to display the natural account segment only for the selected row set. Alternatively, click the ellipsis (...) button
next to the Settings field, then select the Display only natural segments checkbox in the editor window that
displays.
Expression
The Expression Builder form available when you select the Expression row type is similar to the one available
when you select the Account Summary row type. The main difference is that there are additional categories
available from which you can create more sophisticated and formulaic row definitions. The additional categories
are as follows:
• Functions (includes Math, Sum, and Trunc subcategories)
• References (also available in the Row Summary row type)
• Parameters
In the following table, review the syntax, descriptions, and examples of Expression row type expressions.
Expression Expression Syntax Description Example

Name
Sum function
Sum(arg)
Where arg is one of the
following:
Each field of the resulting Sum([R10]:[R50])

• Row range row is a sum of the fields
in the same column of the
rows in range.
Sum of the accounts range. Sum({1000-01-100}:{9999-99-999})
• Account range The columns define the
summarized metrics. For
example, if there is a
column with the expression
DebitAmount, then the
debit amounts are
summarized.
The argument is replaced Sum($payroll)
• Dictionary definition with the expression defined
in the definition of the
dictionary that is linked to
the row set.
Binary operators +,-,*,/ These binary operators (-1)*Sum({1*})/[R20]+Sum([R50]:[100])
allow you to combine
18 Epicor ERP | 9.05.701

Expression Expression Syntax Description Example

Name
values from rows and
accounts in the same row.
Operators are applied on a
column basis.
Row Sum
The Expression Builder form, available when you select the Row Summary row type, allows you to select a group
of rows and then builds an expression based on your selection.
Tip Row Sum rows are the equivalent of Expression rows that use the expression:
Sum([Rn]:[Rx])
In the following table, review the syntax, description, and an example of a Row Sum expression.
Expression Name Expression Syntax Description Example

Simplified row range n:x 10:50
A range of row definitions starting
with row number "n" and ending
with row number "x".
Each field of the resulting row is
a sum of the fields in the same
column of the rows in range.
Note The row sum function only applies to columns which contain financial data, for example,
DebitAmount, Opening Balance).
Example There is a column set:

• C10 RowDescription
• C20 Debit+Credit
CurrentPeriod()-1
• C30 Debit+Credit CurrentPeriod()
• C40 If ([C30]>[C20],[C30],[C20])
In this column set, the row set function is only applied to columns C20 and C30.
List
Row Sets > Detail > Row Definitions > List
Use the Row Sets > Detail > Row Definitions > List sheet to review, update, and format rows in a list view.
Use of the list view is important, especially if you choose to update the font, size, or color of the report row
context. The list view is the best place to view a preliminary layout of the report rows. This view displays rows in
the way they will display after you generate the report.
The Row Definitions > List sheet is also useful if you want to add, delete, change the sequence of, or append
rows contained in an existing row set.
Tip To delete a row from the Row Definitions > List sheet, highlight the row and, on the standard tool
bar, click Delete. To add a row to the row set, scroll to the bottom of the list of rows and click the Asterisk
Epicor ERP | 9.05.701 19

field that displays in the Number column. To change the sequence of rows, update the Number field on
the row you want to change.
Workshop - Create a Row Set
In this workshop, create a detailed income statement row set that displays financial data for specific account
ranges.
In addition to creating a row set, this workshop walks you through reorganizing, adding, deleting, and defining
expressions for rows in a row set.
Name the Row Set

Open Epicor Financial Report Designer.
1. From the New menu, select Row Set.

Verify the Row Sets > Detail > General sheet displays.
2. In the Name field, enter XXXDetailed_IS (where XXX are your initials).
3. Click Save.
20 Epicor ERP | 9.05.701

Define Rows
Navigate to the Row Sets > Detail > Row Definitions > List sheet.
Note Twenty undefined rows display on the List sheet (10-200). These are the default rows created when
you add a new row set.
1. In row number 10, in the Description field, enter Revenue.
2. Select row number 10.

Tip To do this, click the field to the left of the Number field.
3. Use the font toolbar to update the font type, size, spacing, and background color of the cells in row number
10. Use the following table as a guide:
Font Font Size Font Enhancement Cell Spacing Background Color

Arial 11 B (bold) Center text vertically in the Gray 50%
cell
Tip Use the paint pallet drop-down list to assist you in selecting a background color.
4. Click Save.
5. In the Type field, verify AccountSum is the default value.
6. In row number 20, in the Description field, enter Sales.
7. In the Type field, select AccountList.
8. In the Expression field, click the ... (ellipsis) button.

The Expression Builder displays.
9. From the tree view, select Accounts.

To the lower right side of the tree view, the Available accounts/segments section displays.
10. In the Company field, select EPIC06.
11. In the Chart of accounts field, select [Master] Master Chart of Accounts.
12. Verify the Values of segment 'Chart' grid displays.
13. In the Value field, enter 4.

After you enter a value in this field, the Segment Values list brings all segments that start with that value
to the top of the list in numerical/alphabetical order.
14. Select value 4000.

At the top of the builder, in the Expression field, 4000 displays with a yellow background. This indicates
that the expression is accepted.
Note: Because you know there is more than one sales account in company EPIC06, use a range to indicate
which accounts you want to display in this row.
Epicor ERP | 9.05.701 21

15. Update the Expression field to 4000:4100.

The Accounts grid displays the Start and End accounts for the range and the Values of segment 'Chart'
grid displays the selected accounts highlighted in orange.
16. Click OK.
17. Click Save.
Define Additional Rows
1. In row number 30, in the Description field, enter Cost of Sales.
2. In the Type field, select AccountList.
3. In the Expression field, enter 50*.

The asterisk is the wildcard in this expression. In this example, it tells the application to report on all natural
accounts that start with 50.
4. Click Save.
5. Use the data from the following table to add two additional rows. Click Save after you create each row.
Number Description Type Expression

40 Single under score
50 Gross Profit Row Sum 20:30
Note: In row number 50, the expression 20:30 tells the report to display the sum of rows 20 and 30. If there
were rows between 20 and 30, they would also be included in the sum since a colon (:) indicates a range.
6. Click Save.
Reorganize Rows
1. Click in the Number field of row number 60.
2. Delete 60 and enter 15.
3. Click Save.
4. Click the Number column header twice.

Clicking the Number column header rearranges the rows to descend by number. Clicking the header again
puts the rows back to ascend by number, and row 15 is now between rows 10 and 20
5. Click Save.
Add a Row
1. On the bottom row, click the asterisk (*).

The asterisk changes to 210. The new row number defaults as 10 more than the previous row.
22 Epicor ERP | 9.05.701

2. In the Description field, enter your name.

As soon as you start to enter data into the new row, a new asterisk displays below.
3. Click Save.
Delete Rows
1. Select row 15.
2. Hold down Ctrl and select row 210

Both rows are selected.
3. Click the Delete icon.
4. To the message, Are you sure you want to delete selected rows? click Yes.
5. Select row 100.
6. Hold down Shift and select row 200.

All rows in the range are selected.
7. Click the Delete button.
8. To the message, click Yes.

Note It is not necessary to delete empty rows.
9. Click Save.
Column Sets and Definitions
Use the sheets under the Column Sets tab to enter, define, and delete column sets and columns, and to define
column set security.
You can enter details in report columns in several ways. The most relevant column types, with regards to financial
reporting, are included in the following list:
• Account Balance
• Account
• Account Description
• Separate Debit and Credit Amount columns; this allows you to display the debits and credits of a single account
or transaction separately
• Mathematical Formulas; this allows you to combine columns together to display items such as variances
You can copy, paste, and update a column set. This is useful if you want to create a second column set that
slightly differs from your first. This functionality is also available for row sets, reports, and reporting trees.
Epicor ERP | 9.05.701 23

Detail
On the Column Sets > Detail sheet, review the base table for the column set. In addition, create, delete, and
name new column sets. Optionally, define dictionaries to use for column expressions.
When you create a new column set, the Create New Column Set window displays. In this window, select the
base table for the column set. The base table you select determines the items or details you can use on each
column you add. The two available options and their descriptions are as follows:
• Summarized Balances - Use this standard base table to display a Period or Year to Date balance financial
report.
• Transaction Lines - Use this base table to set up a drill down report to display detailed transactions.
Important The value you add in the Name field for the column set cannot have any spaces. The application
allows you to use underscores (_) in the column name, however Epicor recommends limited use of characters
in this field that are not alphanumeric.
Column Definitions
Use the Column Sets > Column Definitions > Detail sheet to enter, delete, define, hide, assign parameters
to, and add expressions to report columns.
Column sets can be simple or very complex. The purpose of a column set is to describe the row sets contained
in a report. Examples of column sets include Current Year to Date and Detailed Current Year to Date.
In the Header field, enter the description or name for each column as you want it to display on the report. You
can also enter expressions in this field. Right-click in the Header field to define expressions based on specific
reporting data, such as period, currency, book ID, and so on.
You have the option to hide columns on the report, or set conditions which determine whether or not a column
displays on the report. Use the Visible field to set this up. The options available in the Visible drop-down list are:
• True - The column displays in the report.
• False - The column does not display in the report.
• Column.IsNotZeroOrEmpty - The column only displays if there is at least one field in the column which
contains a text value or non-zero integer.
• Column.FromPeriod >= @FromPeriod - The column only displays if the column's Period From filter is equal
to or later than the FromPeriod value in report parameters.
• Column.ToPeriod <= @ToPeriod - The column only displays if the column's Period To filter is equal to or
earlier than the ToPeriod value in report parameters.
• <Expression...> - Opens the Expression Builder, where you can specify other parameters to create an
expression which evaluates as true or false.
Example Column.FromPeriod = @ToPeriod
Column filters are also available on the Column Sets > Column Definitions > Detail sheet. Column definitions
can be filtered by fiscal period (from and to), GL account, GL book, and GL budget for a specific company. Column
filters are additive to the report parameters. Filters usually contract the scope of the data specified by the report
parameters.
Example The report parameters specify two books: Epic03.MAIN, and Epic05.MASTER. In the column
definitions, the Book Filter field specifies book Epic03.MAIN. In this example, the column only displays data
from book Epic03.MAIN.
24 Epicor ERP | 9.05.701

Important The Period From and Period To filters are an exception. In the column definition, the Period
From and Period To filters override the FromPeriod and ToPeriod values specified in the report parameters.
Example The report parameters specify a period of time from 2011/1 to 2011/6. The Period From and
Period To fields for one of the report columns specify a period from 2010/5 to 2010/12. In this example,
the data for the column is selected for the period from 2010/5 to 2010/12.
Tip For more information on report parameters, in the Reports section of the Application Help, refer to
the Parameters topic.
You can also display data in a different currency than the report currency. Select the a currency in the Currency
field to convert all financial values in the column to the currency specified in the report parameters.
Tip For more information on using different currencies for reports, refer to the Multi-Currency topic in
the Application Help.
Column Filters
Use the Column Sets > Column Definitions > Detail sheet to set column filters. Column definitions can be
filtered by fiscal period (from and to), GL account, and company book.
Column filters are additive to the report parameters. Filters contract the scope of the data specified by the report
parameters, except for the Period From and Period To filters, which override the report parameters.
Example The report parameters specify a period of time from 2010/1 to 2010/6. The PeriodFrom and
PeriodTo fields for a column specify a period from 2010/5 to 2010/12. In this example, the data for the
column is selected for the period from 2010/5 to 2010/12.
For more information on report parameters, refer to the Parameters topic from the Reports section in the
Application Help.
Period Filter (Period From, Period To)

In the Period From field, use the Expression Builder to select a fiscal period from which the current column will
start reporting. In the Period To field, use the Expression Builder to select a fiscal period for the current column
to identify and stop reporting.
In addition, use of report parameters in the column period expressions improves the inflexible static definition of
column from and to periods, such as Period(2011,1). Add dynamic column definitions, such as
Period(FiscalYear(@ToPeriod)+1 to return more specific data.
The following table lists the available expression categories, functions, syntax, and descriptions available when
the Expression Builder is accessed from the Period fields.
Table 1: Period (From and To) Filters
Category Expression Syntax Description Example

Report Parameters
These parameters can
only be used as
arguments to
functions that
eventually return a
period.
Epicor ERP | 9.05.701 25

Category Expression Syntax Description Example
@FromDate PeriodFromDate(@FromDate
+ 1)
@To Date
Adds one day and returns
fiscal period corresponding to
that date.
@FromPeriod @FromPeriod + 1
Adds one fiscal period to the
report's @FromPeriod
parameter.
@ToPeriod @ToPeriod - 3
Date Functions
These functions can
only be used as
arguments to
functions that
eventually return a
period.
Date(year,month,day) Date(Year(@FromDate) + 1,
Month(@FromDate),
Now()
Day(@FromDate))
PeriodNumber(period) PeriodFromDate(Now())
FiscalYear(period) Period(FiscalYear(@FromPeriod)
+ 1,
Year(date)
PeriodNumber(@FromPeriod)
Month(date)
Month(PeriodStart(@FromPeriod))
Day(date)
PeriodStart(fiscalyear,number)
PeriodEnd(fiscalyear,number)
Period Functions These functions return

periods.
CurrentPeriod () CurrentPeriod () +1
CurrentPeriodLastYear () Period (2010,7)
Period (year,period) PeriodFromDate(@FromDate)
PeriodFromDate(date)
Account Filter
Optionally, filter report columns by one of the following parameters:
• Account
• Account list
• Account range
26 Epicor ERP | 9.05.701

• Category
• Category list
Book Filter
You can optionally filter the data that displays in the current column by a specific company and book. When
selected, data from the alternate company and book displays within this column.
Create a column that displays data from another company and book to compare financial results from multiple
companies on the same report.
Enter the company and book directly or click the Expression (...) button to find and select the necessary company
and book. If you enter this value directly, be sure to use the "<Company>.<Book>" format.
Example EPIC03.Book1, EPIC06.Book2.
Column Definitions - Expression Builder
From the Column Sets > Column Definitions > Detail sheet, use the Expression Builder to select the keyword(s),
reference(s), function(s), financial data, parameter(s), or dictionary definition for each report column.
The Expression Builder form presents options based on the field from which you access the program. The data
available for selection in the builder is context specific. The base table selected on the current Column Set
(Summarized Balances or Transaction Lines) also affects the data available for selection in the Expression Builder.
The following topics describe the fields on the Column Sets > Column Definitions > Detail sheet from which you
can access the Expression Builder, and the data available in the builder for that field.
Note To access the Expression Builder, click the ellipsis (...) button to the right of any of the following
fields: Expression, Period From, Period To, Account Filter, and Book Filter.
Expression
Select a category to decrease the amount of data available for you to work with as you create an expression.
The categories available from the Expression field builder are Keywords, References, Functions, Financial Data
Keywords, and Dictionary. You have the option to use a combination of categories to create an expression.
For example, in a Balance column, you may want to calculate OpeningBalance + DebitAmount - Credit
Amount. To do this, your expression must use both financial data as well as math functions.
The following tables list the available categories, the expression names, description, and syntax available in each
category, and an example of each expression.
Table 2: Keywords

Row description RowDescription Returns the description of the
current row definition.
Row expression RowExpression Returns the expression of the
Row number RowNumber Returns the ordinal number of the
Account description AccountDescription Applies only to Account List row "Account" +
types. Returns the description of AccountDescription
each general ledger (GL) account
Epicor ERP | 9.05.701 27


defined in the account definition
table. For all other row types, it
returns a blank string.
Account Account Applies only to Account List row "Account" + Account
types. Returns a formatted account
string for each GL account taken
from the account definition table.
The segment values are separated
with '-'. For all other row types, it
returns a blank string.
User-defined Row.Alias Returns the value entered for the Row.HeaderA
properties selected user-defined property in
the row definition. This value can
be different for each row.
Column name ColumnName(column Returns the name of the column, ColumnName([C10])
reference) specified in the argument.
Column expression ColumnExpression(column Returns the expression of the ColumnExpression([C10])
reference) column, specified in the argument.
Column number ColumnNumber(column Returns the number of the column, ColumnNumber([C10])
reference) specified in the argument.
Table 3: Math, Constants, and Logical Functions

Sum Sum(Column range or list, Related to using column
Sum([C10]:[C20],[C40]
cell list) references and ranges
separated with the '+' Is the same as
operator.
[C10]:[C20] + [C40]
If IF(logical expression, value Evaluates the logical IF([C10] > [C20], "Over
if true, value if false) expression and returns the budget!","")
second argument value if
true, otherwise it returns the
third argument value.
Trunc Trunc(numerical Truncates the decimal part Trunc([C10]/[C20])
expression) of a floating point value and
returns the integer part.
Nan Nan A constant that represents a -
Nan value. For instance,
when 0 is divided by 0
Infinity Infinity A constant that represents -
an infinite value. For
instance, when a number is
divided by 0.
True True A constant that represents a True
true boolean value.
28 Epicor ERP | 9.05.701


False False A constant that represents a False
false boolean value.
Table 4: References

Column reference [Cn] A reference to a column [C10]
definition whose number is 'n'.
Column range [Cs]:[Ce] A range of row definitions from [C10]:[C50]
column number 's' to column
number 'e'. You can only use
ranges as arguments of an
aggregate function.
Column list [Cn], ...[Cx] A comma separated list of [C10],[C20],[C30]
columns. You can only use
column lists as arguments of an
aggregate function.
Cell reference [Rx,Cy] A reference to a cell in row [R10,C20]
number 'x' and column number
'y'.
Cell list [Rx,Cy], [Ra,Cb] A comma separated list of cells. [R10,C20], [R50,C70]
You can only use cell lists as
arguments of an aggregate
function.
Binary operators +,-,*, /, >, <, >=, Operators applied on a row basis.
[C10]* (-1), IF([C10] = 0, "",
<=, =
[C10])
Table 5: Financial Data Keywords
Expression Name Expression Syntax

Budget amount BudgetAmt
Debit amount DebitAmount
Credit amount CreditAmount
Opening balance OpeningBalance
Opening Credit Balance OpeningCreditBalance
Opening Debit Balance OpeningDebitBalance
Important The keywords included in the table above are calculated based on the FromDate, FromPeriod,
ToDate, and ToPeriod report parameters. If the PeriodFrom or PeriodTo filters are also defined in a column,
these filters override the report parameters.
Example OpeningBalance + DebitAmount - CreditAmount
Epicor ERP | 9.05.701 29

Table 6: Dictionary
Expression Expression Description Example

Name Syntax
Dictionary $definitionName A reference to a dictionary definition linked to
$Movement
definition the column set. 'definitionName' is the name of
the definition. The column expression is replaced The definition's expression is:
with the definition when the report is viewed. DebitAmount - CreditAmount
Note To build an expression based on a dictionary definition, you must first create and define the dictionary.
For information on creating dictionaries, refer to the Dictionaries topic.
Workshop - Create a Column Set
Create a column set that describes the row set you created in the Workshop: Create a Row Set. Add columns
to the column set to define the horizontal dimension of the financial report you are creating.
Name the Column Set
1. From the New menu, select Column Set.

The Create New Column Set window displays.
2. Verify Summarized balances is selected.
3. Click OK.
The Column Sets > Detail sheet displays.
4. In the Name field, enter XXXAccountDet (where XXX are your initials).
5. Click Save.
Define a Column
1. From the New menu, select Column .

The Column Sets > Column Definitions > List sheet displays with a default column number (10) and
name (C10).
2. In the Name field of the column, update the default value (C10) to Desc.
3. In the Expression field of the column, click the ... (ellipsis) button.
4. From the tree view, select RowDescription.

At the top of the builder, in the Expression field, RowDescription displays in yellow. This indicates that
the expression is accepted.
5. Click OK.
6. In the Header field, enter Description.
7. Click Save.
30 Epicor ERP | 9.05.701

8. To the left of the Number field, click the * (asterisk).

The asterisk changes to 20. The new column number always defaults in as 10 more than the previous column.
Define Additional Columns

Create new columns, enter expressions, and format the column header to display the period from/to based on
the report parameters.
1. Navigate to column number 20.
2. In the Name field, update the default value (C20) to Acct.
3. In the Expression field, click the ... (ellipsis) button.

4. From the tree view, select Account.

At the top of the builder, in the Expression field, Account displays on a yellow background. This indicates
the expression is accepted.
5. Click OK.
6. In the Header field, enter Account Number.
7. Click Save.
8. Click the * (asterisk).

The asterisk changes to 30.
9. For column 30, enter the following data:
Number Name Expression Header PeriodFrom PeriodTo

30 AcctDesc AccountDescription Account Name
10. Click Save.
11. Click the *.

12. For column 40, in the Name field, update the default value (C40) to CurrPer.
13. In the Expression field, click the ... button.

14. From the tree view, select Period Balance (GLPeriodBal).

To the right of the tree view, the Financial Data Selector displays.
15. In the Financial Data Selector pane, select DebitAmount.

At the top of the builder, in the Expression field, DebitAmount displays in yellow. This indicates the
expression is accepted.
16. Update the Expression field value to DebitAmount - CreditAmount .

CreditAmount now displays in yellow which indicates the formula is accepted.
Epicor ERP | 9.05.701 31

17. Click OK.
18. In the Header field of the column, enter Current Period.
19. Click the *.

Number Name Expression Header PeriodFrom PeriodTo

50 YTD OpeningBalance + Year to Date
DebitAmount - CreditAmount
21. Click Save.
Add Column Filters
1. Select column 40.
2. In the PeriodFrom field, click the ... (ellipsis) button.

3. From the tree view, select CurrentPeriod.
4. Click OK.
5. In the PeriodTo field, enter CurrentPeriod ().
6. Click Save.
PeriodFrom PeriodTo
Period (FiscalYear(@FromPeriod),1) CurrentPeriod()
8. Click Save.
Reports
Use the sheets under the Reports > Detail tab to add and update report structures, add and remove report
column sets, select report parameters, and define report security before running a report.
You can copy, paste, and update reports. This is useful if you want to create a second report that only slightly
differs from your first. For example, a detailed version of a summary income statement.
32 Epicor ERP | 9.05.701

Security
Use the Reports > Detail > Security sheet to define the Windows users and groups who can view or edit the
selected report.
Two levels of security rights are available. You can indicate which users and groups have View rights, which
means these selected users/groups can launch and review an AFR report, but cannot make changes to it. You
can also assign Edit rights; users assigned this security level can both view and change the report. Only existing
Windows accounts for users and groups can be entered on this sheet.
When you create a new report, a default edit account and view account are automatically added to the Security
sheet. You define which accounts display by default in the Tools > Settings window, on the General tab. For
more information about these fields, review the Settings > General > Fields topic.
When users are not assigned either View or Edit rights and they try to launch the report, they will receive an error
message. For reference, this message lists the users and groups who do have access to the report.
Report Security and Report Element Security

Each element in a report, for example a column set, can have different security settings from the report itself.
The security settings interact according to the logic in the following example:
• There is a report, Report1.
• RowSet1 and ColumnSet1 are assigned to Report1.
• Users JSmith and HSanchez have Edit and View rights to Report1.
• Only user JSmith has Edit rights to RowSet1.
• Users HSanchez and KChu have Edit rights to ColumnSet1.
Based on the above settings, the behavior is as follows:
• User JSmith cannot edit ColumnSet1, but can add other column sets to Report1, and remove Columnset1
from Report1.
• User HSanchez cannot edit RowSet1, but change the row set assigned to Report1.
• User KChu cannot edit Report1, cannot add/change row sets/column sets in Report1, cannot edit RowSet1,
but can edit ColumnSet1.
A report or report element cannot be edited or deleted if the user does not have Edit rights for it. This includes
adding, editing, or deleting access rights to the report or element itself.
Also, when importing reports and report elements which were exported from AFR, edit access is verified
immediately. If an element already exists in the database, and the user does not have edit access to it, an error
message displays, and the import is not possible.
Each report and report element must have at least one Edit permission. Otherwise, the element cannot be saved.
Security Setup
When AFR is installed, an AFR Administrator login is defined, which automatically populates with the Windows
credentials for the current user. This user then has access to the Security sheet and can assign users and groups
access rights to specific reports. For all other users, the Security sheet is hidden.
This security information is stored in a report definition database table. The data is encrypted and so is protected
from tampering. If AFR detects any tampering with its secure information, an error message displays.
Epicor ERP | 9.05.701 33

Parameters
Use the Parameters sheet to select or update report parameters for a specific report generation.
Parameters default in from the column set, if specified. You can change the report parameters before you generate
a Report Definition Language (RDL) file. Changing the parameters does not override the column parameters. The
column parameters become a subset of the report parameters. You must have report parameters selected on
this sheet prior to generating an RDL file, because these parameters tell the report from which companies, general
ledger books, and time frame you want to bring in data.
You can select or enter other values for the parameters in the Report Viewer at report runtime.
Important Column period parameters, if specified, override the report parameters. This may affect the
data you expect to see on the report.
There are two presentation styles, which affect how you can select parameters in the Report Viewer at runtime:
Standard, and Advanced. With the Standard style, each parameter (except Reporting Tree Node) is presented
as a simple text-box in Report Viewer, in which you can manually type the required values. These parameters are
accompanied by a NULL check box, for when a field is left blank and not in use.
The Advanced presentation style enables you to decide what kind of drop-down list, check box, or calendar
pop-up is available for each parameter, according to the particular report requirements. For example, you can
determine whether the report's book selection is multi-book, or restricted to just one book. Similarly, you can
decide whether to have drop-down lists to select the fiscal year and period, or a calendar pop-up to select specific
dates. You can also specify how currency conversion is executed for the report. Set all these options in the
Advanced Presentation Options section.
Note Once you have generated an RDL file, you can change the presentation options on the RDLs sheet,
then save the changes. You do not have to regenerate the RDL file after making such changes.
The following table provides a list of available parameters and a description and example of each value.
Parameter Description Example

Account A general ledger (GL) account string or account "1000", "ASSETS",
category by which to filter the report. "4000-01-02"
Book GL company ID.book ID or a list of strings representing "EPIC03.Book1","EPIC06.Book1"
multiple companies and book IDs. You can display
financial results from multiple companies and/or books
within a single report.
Only one of these parameters may be specified as they
FromDate Date(2010,08,16)
are mutually exclusive.
-or- -or-
FromPeriod Period(2010,8)
Only one of these parameters may be specified as they

ToDate Date(Year(@FromDate) + 1,
are mutually exclusive.
Month(@FromDate),
-or-
Day(@FromDate))
ToPeriod
-or-
@FromPeriod + 12
ReportingTreeNode The current reporting tree node ID. Select a node

name from the list to set the ID.
Currency The currency code of the report currency. USD
34 Epicor ERP | 9.05.701

Parameter Description Example

CrossRateCurrency The currency against which exchange rates are applied. EUR
Values are converted from the book currency to the
cross-rate currency, and then to the specific report or
column currency.
CurrencyConversions The exchange rates for any currencies assigned to a YEN/0.0128
book selected in the Book field.
Workshop - Create a Detailed Income Statement Report
In this workshop, create a detailed income statement. Later in the course, this report is attached to a summary
income statement as a drill down report.
Select Report Components
1. From the New menu, select Report.

The Reports > Detail > General sheet displays.
2. In the Name field, enter XXXDetailedIS (where XXX are your initials).
3. Navigate to the Reports > Detail > General sheet.
4. In the Row Set field, select XXXDetailed_IS (where XXX are your initials).
5. Click Save.
6. Navigate to the Reports > Detail > Column Sets sheet.
7. Click the Add icon to search for and select column set, XXXAccountDet (where XXX are your initials).
8. Click Save.
Add Report Parameters
1. Navigate to the Reports > Detail > Parameters sheet.
2. In the Presentation Style section, select Standard.
3. Select the following default values for the report:

Note: In this table, YYYY is the current calendar year.
Name Type Default Value

Account leave blank
Book BookList EPIC06.MAIN (Epicor Education - Main
Book)
FromDate DateTimeValue leave blank
ToDate DateTimeValue leave blank
FromPeriod String Period (YYYY,1)
Epicor ERP | 9.05.701 35

Name Type Default Value

ToPeriod String Period (YYYY,12)
ReportingTreeNode String accept default value
Currency String leave blank
CrossRateCurrency String leave blank
CurrencyConversions String leave blank
4. Click Save.
36 Epicor ERP | 9.05.701

Header Footer
Use the Reports > Detail > Header Footer sheet to define or update the report header and footer. You can
specify what you want to print in the left, middle, and right sections of the report.
You can enter multiple lines and insert images in any section of the report header and footer. Formatting, such
as font selection, size, color, and spacing, is available for each cell in the header and footer.
Parameter values, based on the report parameter values from the application, are also available to select in each
cell.
Note As a reference, review the Reports > Parameters topic for available parameter values.
The following expressions can be embedded into cell text.
Expression Syntax Description Output Example

{PeriodNumber.Period} Displays the period number for the 11
FromPeriod or ToPeriod value in
report parameters.
{FiscalYear.Period} Displays the fiscal year for the 2012
FromPeriod or ToPeriod value in
report parameters.
{Book.Name} A comma delimited list of book Main Book, Consolidation Book
names in which Book ID(s) are
specified in the Book report
parameter.
{Book.CurrencyCode} A comma delimited list of currency USD, EUR
codes taken from the currency
code(s) defined on the Book ID(s)
parameter.
{Book.ID} A comma delimited list of Book IDs MAIN, CONS
parameter.
{Company.Name} The name of the company whose ID Epicor USA
is specified in the Book report
parameter.
{Company.ID} The ID of the company specified in EPIC03
the Book report parameter.
{ColumnSet} Defines a comma delimited list of ColumnSet1, ColumnSet2
column set names linked to the
report.
{NodeName} The reporting tree node selected in ANZ Region
the ReportingTreeNode report
parameter.
{Page} The report page number. 1
{PageCount} The total number of pages in the 10
report.
Epicor ERP | 9.05.701 37

Expression Syntax Description Output Example

{ReportName} The name of the report. BalanceSheet
{ReportDescription} The description of the report. Balance Sheet Report
{ReportTree} The name of a reporting tree linked Regions
to the report.
{RowSet} A comma delimited list of row sets BalanceRow, RowSet2
linked to the report.
{User} The user logon name. If Windows Americas\JAnderson
authentication is used, the
workstation logon name displays.
The algorithm to adjust the widths of a report body tablix and header/footer has the following basic description:
• By default, the report header and footer have widths equal to 7.5 inches and each report body tablix cell has
a width equal to 1.5 inches. Exactly 5 tablix columns can fit into the width of the header and footer without
any necessary resizing of the page.
• When the number of tablix columns exceeds N (where N = header_footer_maximum_width / 1.5), the page
header/footer grows to become equal to the width of the tablix body. Each header and footer cell grows
proportionally.
• When the number of tablix columns is less than N (where N = header_footer_maximum_width / 1.5), the
width of each tablix cell grows proportionally to make the entire tablix width equal to the maximum width
of the page header and footer.
Workshop - Design a Report Header and Footer
In this workshop, add a report header and footer, to display on the report each time it runs. Add the company
name, page number, and book currency code to the report.
1. Navigate to the Reports > Detail > Header Footer sheet.
2. In the top row of the Header section, click the * (asterisk).

The row opens for data entry.
3. Right-click in the Center cell and select Company > Current > Name.
4. Click the new * to create an additional header row.
5. In the new row, in the Center cell, enter Detailed Income Statement.
6. Click Save.
7. In the top row of the Footer section, click the *.

The row opens for data entry.
8. Right-click in each of the following cells and select the appropriate data as it displays in the table below:
Left Center Right

Page Book > Current > CurrencyCode
9. Click Save.
38 Epicor ERP | 9.05.701

Options
On the Reports > Detail > Options sheet, select the Hide rows with zero values check box if you want the
generated report to automatically hide rows with zero values. You can also configure the numeric value format
for the selected report.
By default, the format you define on the Numeric Format panel applies to all rows in the current report. To
override the format for a specific row, the user can select the Override report numeric format check box
available in the row definition's general properties (Row Set > Row Definition > General sheet).
The following numeric values are available for formatting:
• Decimal places - Enter the number of decimal places with which you want the report values to display (up
to 12). The default decimal places value is 2.
• Thousand separator symbol - Enter the separator symbol of your choice. When this field is left blank, values
display without a separator symbol. For example: 1000 instead of 1,000.
• Currency symbol - Enter the symbol for the current report's currency. For example - $.
Note You can also use non-currency symbols, for example: %.
• Wrap negative numbers in symbols - In their rightful fields, enter an open symbol and a close symbol in
which you want negative numbers to display. For example, ( ).
• Show zero as - Select one of four ways to display 0 values on the selected report: As is, 0, Blank, or ?. When
'As is' is selected, the other formatting options apply to zero values. For example, if the currency symbol field
has a value of $, and the decimal places are set to 2, zero values on the current report display as 0.00 $.
• Show currency after value - Clear this check box to have the defined currency symbol display before values
instead of after. For example, $531.80. By default, this check box is selected.
Use the Date / Fiscal Period formatting section to specify the display format for dates and fiscal periods in the
selected report.
In the Date format field, right-click to select from various standard or custom date formats. In the Fiscal Period
format field, right-click to select a custom format for displaying fiscal periods.
Workshop - Format the Numeric Values for the Report
In this workshop, create a default numberic value format for the report.
1. Navigate to the Reports > Detail > Options sheet.
2. In the Thousand separator symbol field, enter a , (comma).
3. In the Wrap negative numbers in _ _ symbols fields, enter ( and ).
4. In the Show zero as field, select 0.
5. In the Date format field, right-click and select Custom formats > Full Month.
MMMM dd, yyyy displays in the field.
6. Accept all other defaults and click Save.
Epicor ERP | 9.05.701 39

Workshop - Preview the Report
In this workshop, preview the data that displays as defined by the report parameters and dimensions.
2. From the Actions menu, select Generate report preview.

A preview of the report displays in a new window.
3. In the FromPeriod line, in the Expression field, enter Period (2008,1).
4. Click Refresh.
The report values are updated according to the change in period.
5. Review other report details and click Close.
Report Definition Language Files
On the Reports > Detail > RDLs sheet, review details and update presentation options for previously-generated
Report Definition Language (RDL) files.
Once you generate RDL files, on the Reports > Detail > RDLs sheet, select a file you want to review, and from
the Actions menu, select View Report. This action reads the RDL file, generates a report, and launches that
report in Epicor AFR Viewer.
You can also change the presentation options for an existing RDL file, for example Range selection type, or
Book selection type. When you click Save after making changes, the RDL file is automatically updated; you do
not have to regenerate the RDL file.
From the Actions menu, you also have the option to open the RDL file in Microsoft Visual Studio® (MS SQL BI
Studio). In MS SQL BI Studio, you can reformat the report layout and deploy that layout for future use.
With the AFR application, Epicor released two generic RDL file templates. These templates provide you with an
excellent starting point for designing your own report templates.
In a generated RDL file, both the header and footer of the report have a width equal to the width of the report
body tablix.
Generated RDL files display on the application tree view under the Reports node.
Note Because of RDL limitations, no line types (single, double, underscore) are able to grow or shrink
together with their parent rectangle. Thus the cells of the report body tablix have a width equal to 1.5
inches which ensures that long decimal numbers in data cells do not expand the lines' rectangles in the
tablix or interrupt any lines. If a decimal number value is too long or the font size for the tablix data row
is too large, line interruptions are inevitable and you must correct the tablix column widths using the
Microsoft Report Builder (or Business Intelligence Studio).
Workshop - Generate an RDL File
Generate a Report Definition Language file for your report.
1. In the tree view, select the report XXXSummary (where XXX are your initials.
2. Navigate to the Reports > Detail > RDLs sheet.
40 Epicor ERP | 9.05.701

3. From the Actions menu, select Generate RDL file.

The Rdl generator window displays.
4. In the Template file field, select EpicorTemplate.rdl.
5. Click Upload.
The report begins uploading.
6. To the Report uploaded successfully message, click OK.
7. Click Close.
Workshop - View the Report
You can access the Epicor AFR Viewer from within the Report Designer. In this workshop, view the report you
designed in the RDL file format (template) you uploaded.
1. From the Actions menu, select View Report.

The Epicor AFR Viewer opens and displays your report with the generic RDL template provided by Epicor.
2. Exit Epicor AFR Viewer.
Drill Down Report
Use the Row Sets > Detail > Drill Down sheet to optionally select a report to link drill down reports to the
current report. For more specific details, you can also select a drill down report on the Row Sets > Detail > Row
Definitions > Detail > Drill Down sheet.
When you select a drill down report, parameters from the top level report's row set (or row) pass to the report
to which you are drilling down. The data on the report to which you are drilling down only displays as indicated
by those parameters.
It is common for a company to set up a summary report (row set) and a detail report (row set). When you use
this technique, on the summary report (for example, the Summary Income Statement), you can select the detail
report (for example, the Income Statement) as the drill down report. This allows you to drill down to report details
as necessary, but still have the summary totals at a glance.
Workshop - Copy and Update a Report
In the Report Designer, you are able to copy and paste row sets, column sets, reporting trees, dictionaries, and
reports. In this workshop, copy the report (and all its dimensions) you created in the Workshop - Create a Detailed
Income Statement Report.
After you copy a report and select paste, a window displays to inform you of the dimensions linked to the copied
report (such as dictionaries, drill down reports, row sets, column sets, and reporting trees). In this window, you
have the option to select the linked items you want to copy from the report.
Copy an Existing Report
1. From the tree view, highlight the report you created in the Workshop - Create a Report.
The report name is XXXDetailedIS (where XXX are your initials).
2. From the Edit menu, select Copy.
Epicor ERP | 9.05.701 41

3. From the Edit menu, select Paste.

The Copying a report window displays.
4. In the window, clear the check mark from Reporting Tree.
5. Click Paste.
The tree view displays the new report, row set, and column set as Copy_Of_XXXDetailedIS,
Copy_Of_XXXDetalied_IS, and Copy_Of_XXXAccountDet (where XXX are your initials).
Add User Security Rights
1. From the tree view, select the Copy_Of_XXXDetailedIS (where XXX are your initials) report.
2. Navigate to the Reports > Detail > Security sheet.
3. In the Edit rights pane, click the * (asterisk).

The field enables for data entry.
4. In the available field, enter your user name or group and click Save.
Per the Environment Setup steps provided at the start of this course, the user name or user group with which
you log into the Report Definition Database must have security rights to edit and view reports. If you receive
an error, contact your system administrator.
5. In the View rights pane, click the * (asterisk).

The field enables for data entry.
6. In the available field, enter your user name or group and click Save.
If you receive an error, contact your system administrator.
Update Copied Data
1. From the tree view, select row set, Copy_Of_XXXDetailed_IS (where XXX are your initials).
2. Navigate to the Row Sets > Detail > General sheet.
3. In the Name field, update the default name to XXXSumm_IS (where XXX are your initials).
4. Click Save.
5. From the tree view, select column set, Copy_Of_XXXAccountDet (where XXX are your initials).
6. Navigate to the Column Sets > Detail sheet.
7. In the Name field, update the default name to XXXCurrYTD (where XXX are your initials).
8. Click Save.
9. From the tree view, select report, Copy_Of_XXXDetailedIS (where XXX are your initials).
11. In the Name field, update the default report name to XXXSummaryIS (where XXX are your initials).
42 Epicor ERP | 9.05.701

12. Click Save.
Update Row Definitions
1. From the tree view, select row set, XXXSumm_IS (where XXX are your initials).
2. Navigate to the Row Sets > Detail > Row Definitions > List sheet.
3. For row numbers 20 and 30, update the Type field to Account Sum.
Updating Account List row types to Account Sum provides an easy way to obtain a summarized version of
the current detailed report.
4. Click Save.
Epicor ERP | 9.05.701 43

Update Column Definitions
1. From the tree view, select column set XXXCurrYTD (where XXX are your initials).
2. Navigate to the Column Sets > Column Definitions > List sheet.
3. Select column number 20 and click Delete.
4. Select column number 30 and click Delete.
5. In column number 40, in the Number field, update the value to 20.
6. In column number 50, in the Number field, update the value to 30.
7. Click the * (asterisk).

Column number 40 displays.
8. In column number 40, in the Name field, update the default value (C40) to PercentSales.
9. In the Expression field, enter ([C30] / [R20,C30]) *100.

This expression advises the report to use the following formula to calculate the year to date percentage of
sales:
([Column30] / [the cell found in Row20,Column30]) x 100.
10. In the Header field, enter Percentage of Sales.
11. Click Save.
Workshop - Add a Drill Down Report
Once you have a summarized version of the income statement, attach to this report your detailed version of the
same report. To do this, add a drill down report to the Summary Income Statement row set.
1. From the tree view, select row set, XXXSumm_IS (where XXX are your initials).
2. Navigate to the Row Sets > Detail > Drill Down sheet.
3. In the Drill Down Report field, select XXXDetailedIS (where XXX are your initials).
Parameters for the drill down report display.
4. Click Save.
Workshop - Generate an RDL File
Generate a Report Definition Language file for your report.
1. In the tree view, select the report XXXSummary (where XXX are your initials.
2. Navigate to the Reports > Detail > RDLs sheet.
3. From the Actions menu, select Generate RDL file.
44 Epicor ERP | 9.05.701

The Rdl generator window displays.
4. In the Template file field, select EpicorTemplate.rdl.
5. Click Upload.
The report begins uploading.
6. To the Report uploaded successfully message, click OK.
7. Click Close.
Workshop - Drill Down to Report Details
Preview the summary version of your income statement. Within the report preview, drill down to the detailed
version of the report.
1. From the Actions menu, select Generate Report Preview.

A preview of the report displays in a new window.
2. Select the Sales row.
3. Double-click in the Year to Date field.

The detailed version of the report displays. Note the differences between the reports.
4. Click Close.
Epicor ERP | 9.05.701 45

Reporting Trees
Use the sheets under the Reporting Trees tab to add, update, and delete reporting trees, as well as the nodes
which define the tree structure and data contained in each tree. You can also define reporting tree security
settings.
Reporting trees are hierarchies set up and then selected on reports at runtime. Reporting trees use elements from
general ledger account segments to define subsets of data from which information is filtered into a financial
report.
These reporting hierarchies select the financial data based on relationships between the parent and child nodes
in the reporting tree hierarchy. The data each node collects depends on its position in the reporting tree hierarchy,
and any child node filters below it.
Reporting trees determine the data that displays on each node using both AND logic and OR logic. Any parent
nodes above a node use AND logic, while any child nodes below the same node use OR logic. The child nodes
always act as filters that define the selected financial data.
In the Epicor Financial Report Designer, the logic of a reporting tree is bottom up. At the bottom level, define all
elements that form a particular item. Effectively, the roll up levels are summaries or mathematical equations of
the bottom level.
Tip You can copy, paste, and then update a reporting tree. This is useful if you want to create a second
reporting tree that slightly differs from your first.
To simplify the process of creating reporting trees, you can use the Reporting Tree Wizard, which enables you
to create complex reporting trees in a few simple steps. You can then edit the resulting reporting tree as required,
in the Report Designer.
Detail
Reporting Trees > Detail
Use the Reporting Trees > Detail sheet to add, update, and delete reporting trees.
Each reporting tree must have a name that does not contain any spaces or gaps.
You have the option to associate an existing dictionary with each reporting tree you create.
Nodes
Reporting Trees > Nodes
Use the sheets under the Reporting Trees > Nodes tab to add, update, and delete reporting tree nodes and
the group by expressions associated with each node.
Reporting Tree Nodes
Use the Reporting Trees > Nodes > Detail sheet to add, update, and delete reporting tree nodes.
Each node must have a name and number. Reporting tree node names cannot contain any spaces or gaps.
The Epicor Financial Report Designer assigns default tree node numbers in intervals of 10 for each node. You
can update the number if necessary.
In addition to a name and number, each reporting tree node contains a Group by expression. Use the Expression
Builder to create expressions based on accounts, account segments, account categories, or dictionary definitions.
46 Epicor ERP | 9.05.701

Filters imposed by selecting a reporting tree node are always additive to the combined filter of the effective cell.
The effective filter for a cell is a combination of the filters defined by:
1. Report parameters
2. Row account expression
3. Column filters
4. Effective filter of the cell from the parent drill down report
Tip Use mask *- for the first account segment when applying a filter only to the second segment.
Example If a row has an expression that specifies account 1* and the expression in the reporting tree
node is {*-2*}, the resulting filter is 1*-2*.
The effective filter for a node is calculated using the following additive rules:
1. If the expression of the selected node is blank, all its child nodes (1 level down) are OR expressions. If the
selected node does contain an expression, the expression of the node is used and the expressions of the
child nodes are ignored.
Example
All is not a reporting tree node. It is an option in the Reporting Tree drop down list in the Report
Viewer at runtime, and is the default setting when a report is first run. When All is selected at runtime,
no reporting tree filters are used.
2. The filter of the selected node is an AND expression. This expression includes all parent node filters from
the selected node to the root of the reporting tree.
The following expressions are available to use within a reporting tree node:
• Account
• Account list
• Account range
• Category
• Category list
• Dictionary definition
Epicor ERP | 9.05.701 47

Dictionary
Use the sheets under the Dictionary tab to define dictionary definitions you can use in any report or reporting
tree expression. Dictionaries contain reusable definitions for groups of accounts, row expressions, column
expressions, and reporting tree hierarchies. You can also define dictionary security settings.
Create dictionaries when you need to reuse a large set of parameters within multiple reports. You can select a
specific dictionary on row sets, column sets, and reporting trees.
On the Detail sheets under Row Set, Column Set, and Reporting Tree, select an existing dictionary in order
to use its definitions within that report element. Each dictionary you create contains a Description field, where
you can describe its main purpose. You then add as many definitions as you need to indicate the various elements
you want to reuse.
Example A company has Revenue as a general ledger item, but because of their chart of accounts (COA)
structure, revenue is spread across multiple account numbers (for instance, 5000s, 6000s, and 7000s). The
COA was set up this way to easily report revenue by different product groups. As a result of this structure,
revenue accounts are separated by other elements of the revenue, such as Cost of Goods Sold.
In this example, it makes sense to define a dictionary named Revenue that states: Revenue = Accounts
5100-5299 AND 6000-6200 AND 7000-7200. The company can use the Revenue dictionary definition to
define this select group of accounts on rows, columns, and reporting trees.
Another useful dictionary definition is Balance = OpeningBalance + DebitAmount - CreditAmount. This

conveniently reduces an expression commonly used in columns to just one word.
To refer to a dictionary definition within an expression, enter $Name, where Name is the definition.
Important In order to use a dictionary and its definitions, you must first select the dictionary in the relevant
row set, column set, or reporting tree Detail sheet.
48 Epicor ERP | 9.05.701

Introduction to Advanced Financial Reporting Course View Financial Reports
View Financial Reports
The Epicor AFR Viewer (Report Viewer) works with SQL Server Reporting Services (SSRS) to provide a place to
organize, manage, upload, and view financial reports.
Use the Report Designer to launch the Report Viewer in designer mode. This allows you to test the ability to
access and view the report through the Report Viewer before it is deployed.
While in the Report Viewer designer mode, you can select other parameters to report and view different results.
You can also export the reports to one of the following formats:
• XML file with report data
• CSV (comma delimited)
• Acrobat (PDF) file
• MHTML (web archive)
• Excel
• TIFF file
• Microsoft Word
Upload Report Definition Language (RDL) files to the Report Viewer when necessary, and launch the Microsoft
Report Builder application.
Note Most end users access reports directly from the Report Viewer. The viewer stores the reports designed
in the Report Designer.
Data in the reports display in real-time, and the users can adjust the report parameters to suit their reporting
needs.
Workshop - Review, Drill Down, and Update Financial Reports
Launch the Report Viewer from within the Report Designer and view the reports you previously created. Drill
down from the Summary Income Statement to the Detailed Income Statement and update parameters in the
Report Viewer.
Launch the Report Viewer from within the Report Designer
1. From the Report Designer tree view, navigate to Reports > XXXSummaryIS > AFR/XXXSummaryIS
(where XXX are your initials).
2. From the Actions menu, select View report.

Epicor AFR Viewer displays your Summary Income Statement.
Drill Down the Report
1. In the Gross Profit row, in the Year to Date column, click the value that displays.
The Detailed Income Statement displays.
2. Click the Back (green arrow pointing to the left) icon to return to the Summary Income Statement.
Epicor ERP | 9.05.701 49

View Financial Reports Introduction to Advanced Financial Reporting Course
Update Report Parameters in the Report Viewer
1. At the top of the form, locate the report parameters.
2. Update the FromPeriod field to Period(2010,01)
3. Update the ToPeriod field to Period(2010,12).
4. Click the View Report button.

The report updates and displays new values.
Workshop - Export a Report to Excel®
Within Epicor AFR Viewer, you can export reports to several different formats. In this workshop, export your
report to Microsoft Office Excel.
1. In the Export field, select Excel.

Several formats are available for export.
2. Click Export.
3. Click Save and save the file to your desktop.

The Download complete window displays.
4. Click Open.
5. Review the report in Excel.
6. Close Excel and exit Epicor AFR Viewer.
50 Epicor ERP | 9.05.701

Introduction to Advanced Financial Reporting Course Conclusion
Workshop - Navigate to the Report Viewer and Review Available Functionality
In addition to launching Epicor AFR Viewer from within the Report Designer, you can navigate to the application
using Windows Explorer. In this workshop, open Epicor AFR Viewer and review available functionality.
1. Use Windows Explorer to open Epicor AFR Report Viewer.

Windows Path: Start > All Programs > Epicor Software > Advanced Financial Reporting > Report
Viewer
2. From the Home page, navigate to the AFR folder.

All reports built in the Report Designer display and the reports you designed in previous workshops display
a !New indicator.
3. Select XXXDetailed_IS (where XXX are your initials).
4. Review the report and then click the back arrow.
5. On the top right of the page, click Show Details.

For each report, this view displays the modified date and the user who last modified the report.
6. Exit Epicor AFR Viewer.
Conclusion
Congratulations! You have completed the course.

Please take a moment to let Epicor University know how to serve you better by completing an evaluation at htt
p://www.keysurvey.com/survey/379199/e92f/. Your feedback provides the guidelines for the future direction of
Epicor University offerings.
Epicor ERP | 9.05.701 51

Additional information is available at the Education and
Documentation areas of the EPICweb Customer Portal. To access
this site, you need a Site ID and an EPICweb account. To create an
account, go to http://support.epicor.com.

Epicor ERP Introduction To AFR Course

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Epicor ERP Introduction To AFR Course

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Epicor ERP

Epicor ERP | 9.05.701 3

4 Epicor ERP | 9.05.701

Introduction to Advanced Financial Reporting Course

Epicor ERP | 9.05.701 5

Before You Begin

Specific audiences will benefit from this course.

6 Epicor ERP | 9.05.701

1. SQL Server 2008 is installed, and Reporting Services enabled.

2. Sonic MQ7.6 is installed and functional.

3. An Epicor 9.05 Training Environment is:

4. Epicor Advanced Financial Reporting (AFR) is:

6. Epicor Replication Server is:

Epicor ERP | 9.05.701 7

8 Epicor ERP | 9.05.701

Epicor ERP | 9.05.701 9

AFR Data Replication

10 Epicor ERP | 9.05.701

Epicor ERP | 9.05.701 11

Application Tools and Modules

AFR License Requester and Logon Server

12 Epicor ERP | 9.05.701

AFR Financial Data Security Manager

Epicor ERP | 9.05.701 13

Design Financial Reports

Row Sets and Definitions

14 Epicor ERP | 9.05.701

Epicor ERP | 9.05.701 15

Row Definition - Expression Builder

16 Epicor ERP | 9.05.701

Epicor ERP | 9.05.701 17

Keyword Name Expression Syntax Example RowDescription value of

Expression Expression Syntax Description Example

Each field of the resulting Sum([R10]:[R50])

18 Epicor ERP | 9.05.701

Expression Expression Syntax Description Example

Expression Name Expression Syntax Description Example

Example There is a column set:

Epicor ERP | 9.05.701 19

Workshop - Create a Row Set

Name the Row Set

1. From the New menu, select Row Set.

20 Epicor ERP | 9.05.701

1. In row number 10, in the Description field, enter Revenue.

2. Select row number 10.

Font Font Size Font Enhancement Cell Spacing Background Color

5. In the Type field, verify AccountSum is the default value.

6. In row number 20, in the Description field, enter Sales.

7. In the Type field, select AccountList.

8. In the Expression field, click the ... (ellipsis) button.

9. From the tree view, select Accounts.

10. In the Company field, select EPIC06.

12. Verify the Values of segment 'Chart' grid displays.

13. In the Value field, enter 4.

14. Select value 4000.

Epicor ERP | 9.05.701 21

15. Update the Expression field to 4000:4100.

16. Click OK.

17. Click Save.

Define Additional Rows

1. In row number 30, in the Description field, enter Cost of Sales.

2. In the Type field, select AccountList.

3. In the Expression field, enter 50*.