Modify Report CRM 4.0

To modify the 'out of the box' reports you need open them in Visual Studio, I've never modified a standard report but I would assume that it's possible.

This would address points 1, 2 and 4.

For point 3 you need to add these through CRM with administrator rights. Open the CRM Web client go to Settings > Customization > Customize Entities > Double click the Entity that you want to amend (e.g. Quote Product) > Attributes > Open the Attribute (e.g. Shipping) > Add the other options in the list.

Save and close then make sure you publish the entity.

Hi Stack0111,
Thanks for your prompt reply! I managed to add more shipping options to the quotations thanks for that.
Regarding Visual Studio, as we are only Action pack subscribers we do not get Visual Studio, however i noticed Microsoft have Visual Studio Express editions, will this be enough to achieve the same objective? If so what product within the visual studio express allows modification of the crm reports?

Thanks

Sorry - I've never used Visual Studio Express, so can't advise on whether it can provide the functionality needed to create/amend reports. I've had quick look online and from what I can tell it looks like it can, but I guess the only way to find out is to try!

Thanks again for reply.
I noticed Visual Studio 2005 was installed on the crm server. When i open the Invoice.rdl file its in XML. Is this correct? how would i add a letter head or preview the changes?

Thanks

Try opening the CRM Reports.rptproj file, the Invoice report should be contained within it.

I don't think you want to edit the raw .rdl file.  You'll want to edit it within VS 2005.  Here's the procedure (assuming your installation is similar to others that we work with).
(1) Export the .rdl file (I assume this is well documented in previous posts) on the Report Server machine (likely the same machine that CRM App is installed on if you're a fairly small shop)
(2) Open Visual Studio Business Intelligence Development Studio (Start > All Programs > SQL 2005 > SQL Server Business Intelligence Development Studio)
(3) Create a new project (File > New > Project).  When you name your project, a new folder will be created for the project.
(4) Copy the .rdl file to the new location that was created in #3
(5) In the Solution Explorer (usually in the right-hand panel, top) there will be a folder called reports.  Right click this folder, select Add, select Existing Item, and browse to the report that you just created.
(6) Double click the newly added report to begin editing it.  DO NOT MAKE EDITS YET...
Now you should be able to see the report.  HOWEVER, CRM sometimes exports some default settings that you have to change before you can edit the report.  Here's how to make the changes so you can edit the report:
(1) At the top of the design area, you will see 3 tabs: Data, Layout, Preview, click the Data tab
(2) Just below the tabs, you will see a dropdown box of datasets.  Next to that you will see a button with "..." in it. Click that button.
(3) Scratch your head in wonder that Microsoft forces you to go through this awful process to revise an existing report.
(4) On the pop-up box, you will see that the data source is "CRM" - next to that you'll see another "..." button - Click again.
(5) Notice that the datasource = localhost and the initial catalog has AdventureWorks in it.  Neither of these are likely the correct setting for your business.
(6) Pause to scratch head an additional time.
(7) Become annoyed at lame attempts at humor in this response and hope that the author will refrain from further losses of focus.
(8) Choose the edit button.
(9) Change the server to the server that is running SQL
(10) Change the database to [Your_Org_Name]_MSCRM
(11) Click OK as many times as necessary to close all open dialog boxes
(12) Save your report so if you hose something up later, you won't have to repeat the above process and re-read annoying side notes.
You are now ready to make edits to your report.  A few things to be aware of:
* You may want to also edit the Invoice SubReport - use the above process if you need to edit that report.
* It is somewhat difficult to add new columns to an existing CRM report.  Hopefully the columns you need are in there.  If not, use the data tab and be prepared to edit some fairly funky SQL code.
Once complete, you can save all your work and exit out.  You can then load your .rdl file back into CRM in a similar manner in which you exported it.  I recommend saving it as a different report name so you won't overwrite the original report (allowing you to go back and re-use that anytime you need to).
Hope that helps.
 

Hi Again,
thank you for your help so far.
Excuse my ignorance but i can not find a CRM Reports.rptproj file on the server? Can you tell me its location?

Thanks

I'm not sure where you might find CRM Reports.rptproj on the server.  However, you should not need that file in order to follow the procedure that I outlined above.

As an aside, you should be very careful about directly editing files that are built into CRM.  The supported practice is to export/download files (such as the specific report that you wish to edit), make your changes to the file, and then re-load it.

Mine is in:

C:\Documents and Settings\user\My Documents\Visual Studio 2005\Projects\CRM Reports\CRM Reports

It will be where all the other standard CRM reports are stored. I would follow crm_info's advice and make a copy of the report before editing.

Hi CRM Info,
thank you very much for your detailed response. I managed to complete your instructions successfully.
I have to admit however i am very confused how i actually amend any of the report ive imported. I am presented with the "Quote sub report" grey box.

All i want to do is add a logo a confirmation signature strip and change TAX to VAT.
I am very used to drag and drop editing with Sage ACT! Premium for workgroups 11.0 am i asking too much for this to be similar?

Thank you again for your response,
Dearg