In this blog, I wanted to discuss how to use Trees in Management Reporter. Management Reporter is one of the current financial report builders that is linked to Microsoft Dynamics GP. The tree building block found in Management Reporter is designed to create a hierarchical organization to your financial reports providing the ability to pull specific information based upon the tree definition and the reporting units. The tree further defines how the information is linked to external data and defines the drill down to the detail data contained within the branches.
The Management Reporter Tree
As detailed above, the Management Reporter tree allows your financial reports to be presented in both summarized and detailed versions for a hierarchical organization through the use of reporting units. The reporting units can be characterized as branches of the reporting tree. Before you begin creating the reporting tree, it is a good idea to plan the reporting units, branches, or structure for the tree.
Tree definitions can be easily created by selecting File – New – Reporting Tree Definition. Tree definitions can be easily viewed and modified by selecting the Reporting Tree Definitions tab from the Management Reporter desktop. Then double-clicking the appropriate tree definition.
The Components of the Reporting Tree
Company (A) – The Company column of the reporting tree supplies the Management Reporter company to be used for the specific branches of the financial report. This is often times equivalent to the Microsoft Dynamics GP company. The top level of the report should include the text @ANY that signifies and summarizes all the values from the company data within the report parameters. Each level or branch then breaks the report down to specific companies to pull the data from. The companies could be the same company or different companies for the same report. The data values are summarized or detailed and depicted in the rows for the tree definition. This option can be especially useful for creating consolidated financial statements pulling data from different companies and merging them together. The Company can be selected by double-clicking the cell in the Company column, which will display a list of available companies.
Unit Name (B) – The Unit Name column of the reporting tree supplies the name used for the branches of the reporting tree. The Unit Name must be unique and readily understood by the end users to make the financial reports comprehensible. This data can be manually entered.
Unit Description (C) – The Unit Description column of the reporting tree supplies a description used for each branch of the reporting tree. This information may appear in the header or footer of the report definition. To use the Unit Description in the header or footer, the code UnitDesc must be supplied in an appropriate cell on the header or footer found in the report definition. This data can be manually entered on the report definition.
Dimensions (D) – The Dimensions column of the reporting tree details what information is applicable to the specific branch of the reporting tree. The data uses the General Ledger account segments and values to specify what data is to be pulled. The dimension can be based on one or a group of account segments. To enter dimensions in the tree, double-click the cell for the Dimensions. Enter the value or range of values within the Segment applicable to the dimension. The Operator column of allows the user to + add or – subtract the use of specific accounts.
If the branch is a summary branch, be aware that entering a dimension within a summary may duplicate your financial statements value as it will not only add the detail value but will also include the summary value a second time.
Row Definitions (E) – The Row Definitions column enables the use of a specified Row Definition found under the Rows tab of the Management Reporter desktop. This feature must be used in conjunction with the Report Definition when a tree is being used. When using this feature, the Use row definition from the reporting tree checkbox must be checked on the Report Definition window.
Financial Dimensions Link (F) – The Financial Dimensions Link column must be used in conjunction with the Row Definitions column. It specifies which financial dimensions to link to in the Row Definition.
Worksheet Link (G) – The Worksheet Link must be used in conjunction with the Row Definition column as well. It specifies an external link to the destination for financial reports. This provides the ability to use data for external sources for your reporting requirements.
Workbook or Report Path (H) – The file path to the workbook or report specified in column G – Worksheet Link to use as a source file to pull data from to add additional value to your reports.
Worksheet Name (I) – The Worksheet Name used in column H – Workbook or Report Path for the source data. This allows you to specify the specific workbook to use for the link to the external data.
Page Options (J) – This column controls the printing or non-printing of specific branches of the tree definitions to enable suppression of reporting unit information.
Rollup % (K) – The Rollup % column enables the user to allocate a percentage of the reporting branch to the summary level to spread the value between other Summary levels. A good example is the breakdown of the department reporting unit. A percentage of the value of these accounts may be divided between several parent accounts.
Unit Security (L) – The Unit Security column allows the reporting restrictions of displaying unit data only to specified users. Double-click the column to display the user selection screen.
Click the Users and Groups button to display the list of available Management Reporter users. Click the Add security to children reporting units to affect children level branches of the reporting tree.
Additional Text (N) – The text typed in column N of the reporting tree will be available on the financial report that the tree is assigned.
To use a Tree within your Management Reporter Report
In order to use a reporting tree within Management Reporter you will want to open up the specific report definition that will use the tree definition. At the lower left corner of the report definition tab the Tree Type field can be used. Click on the arrow next to the Tree Type and select the appropriate report tree to use for the report definition.
When you click the Generate button to create the report, a list of all available tree branches can be viewed and selected. If all branches are selected, then the report will display results based upon all the reporting units. If one or specific branches are selected, then the report will display results for just the specific reporting unit. Once the report is generated, the user can drill down to each independent reporting unit to provide more detailed results for specific reporting units.
If you’re ready to take your management reporter tree one step further, contact KTL today. We can help you with all of your Management Reporter needs.
