You can indicate the base period, base year, and date for a report in the report definition. For definitions of the period and date fields, see Period and date options .

Date information in the report definition is related to the default base period. For definitions of the default base period options, see Default Base Period options .

By default, a new report definition displays the code S-1. The S codes are related to the system date on the computer. Therefore, using S-1as the default base period, displays a report date as at the last day of the last period defined in the source system calendar. Many users save the S-1 setting for their reports so that they report on the prior month’s activity by default.

Another option available for the default date is CUR, or the C codes. These options are related to the current active period in the source system.

The final option is to hard code a specific period as the default period. In this option, the reporting year is synchronised with the source system.

Date information that is saved with the report definition can be overridden when the report definition is open. This lets users generate the report for a different time frame without changing the default base period. The following date information is not saved with the report definition:

  • Base period– The date is displayed with regard to the default base period, unless it is updated. If it is required, select an override from list.

  • Base year– The date is the same as the base period, except years are displayed.

  • Period covered– By default, the text Monthor Months Endingis used with date-related header codes. The period covered text can be modified in the Entitydialogue box.

Specify report periods and dates

  1. In Report Designer open the report definition to modify. Click the Reporttab.

  2. In the Base periodfield, select the base that period to use for the report. The period then appears in the Period coveredfield.

  3. In the Base yearfield, select the accounting year to use in your report. The combination of the Base periodand Base yearappears in the Report datefield.

  4. In the Default base periodfield, select a default base period or type a default base period. For example, to specify the base period as five periods before the current financial data period, type C-5.

Period and date options

Option

Description

Base period

Determines the initial setting in the Base Periodbox.

Changes to the base period are not saved with the report definition. To save the base period, assign a default base period in the Default Base Periodbox.

Although you can type period numbers in the column definition, a column definition typically refers to the base period that you specify in the report definition. In the column definition, you typically set the period relative to the base period, and then define the specific period in the report definition. If you enter a specific period number in the column definition, that number overrides the base period setting.

Base year

Specifies the accounting year to use for the report. Changes to the base year are for the current report and are not saved with the report definition. For more information, see the Default Base Period options .

Period covered

Combines the base period with the Period Descriptionor Plural Description, which used for multiple periods, that is specified in the Modify Companydialogue box. For information about company information settings, see Maintaining company information (data provider) .

By default, the description in the Period coveredbox appears in the report headers. Use the @PeriodCoverageand @PeriodCoverage@DateLongcodes in the Headers and Footerstab to include the Period Covereddescription in your report.

Report date

Combines the Base periodand Base yearboxes. By default, the report date appears in the report headers.

Default base period

Determines the initial settings for the Base Yearand Base Period. This is the only setting that is saved with the report definition.

Default Base Period options

The Default Base Periodsetting determines the initial settings for the Base Yearand Base Period. This is the only setting that is saved with the report definition.

The following table describes the default base periods.

Default Period

Description

SYS

Base period is the current system period.

S-1

Base period is one period before the current system period.

S-2

Base period is two periods before the current system period.

S+1

Base period is one period after the current system period.

CUR

Base period is the current processing period specified in the financial data.

C-1

Base period is one period before the current financial data period.

C-2

Base period is two periods before the current financial data period.

C+1

Base period is one period after the current financial data period.

01

Acceptable values for the Default base periodbox are based on the configuration of the Microsoft Dynamics ERP system. For example, to use a calendar year with 12 months, you can type 01for January and 12for December.

See Also