Re: Dynamic Worksheets in Excel by Michele
Michele
Tue May 20 10:53:54 CDT 2008
On May 5, 4:01=A0pm, LeonTribe <leon.tr...@gmail.com> wrote:
> On May 6, 2:00=A0am, Michele <michele.h...@gmail.com> wrote:
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>
>
>
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> > On May 3, 1:46=A0am, LeonTribe <leon.tr...@gmail.com> wrote:
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> > > On May 3, 6:07=A0am, Michele <michele.h...@gmail.com> wrote:
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> > > > Does anyone know a good resource for digging deeper into how dynamic=
> > > > worksheets work with excel. =A0I am able to find basic information t=
hat
> > > > says you can export the dynamic worksheets, and with some more
> > > > advanced techniques can even add and remove CRM columns from the
> > > > worksheet.
>
> > > > What I can't find is information on what the user can do to that
> > > > worksheet in excel, such as adding additional columns that exist in
> > > > the worksheet only and don't have a data source. =A0And that the
> > > > information in these columns remains in tact and associated with the=
> > > > appropriate row/record when the data is refreshed and new rows are
> > > > added, or possibly removed. =A0Or are these dynamic worksheets only
> > > > meant to be reporting tools that you refresh and refer to.
>
> > > > Does anyone have any experience with this or advice on better
> > > > resources? =A0Thanks!
>
> > > > Michele
>
> > > Hi Michele,
>
> > > I've played with dynamic worksheets and have added new columns, added
> > > totals, removed dynamic columns etc. I'm yet to find a situation where=
> > > things go crazy on a refresh. If you do find things not working out as=
> > > expected, you can always add a new worksheet and use the original as a=
> > > datasource within the workbook.
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> > > Leon Tribe- Hide quoted text -
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> > > - Show quoted text -
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> > I am hoping to find information on how this feature/functionality
> > SHOULD work, versus a workaround; as I am defining how we will be
> > using this and writing the training around it. =A0Then as I test, if
> > things aren't working as expected I can work with MS to resolve before
> > we train our users. =A0Since there is such a lack of documentation,
> > other than 'you can use dynamic worksheets and refresh data', I am
> > having trouble differentiating between expected/unexpected
> > behaviors.
>
> > We are really looking at how the basic end user would use this feature
> > to their advantage. =A0It would be VERY advanced for our users to have
> > them add another worksheet to get the functionality initially
> > envisioned. =A0If this was the case, our training and use of this
> > functionality would change, as we would train it as a simple reporting
> > tool to view current information, but not as a working document that
> > they can manipulate and add additional information to.
>
> > At this point I feel like I am spinning my wheels on what to test and
> > explore since there is such little information out there (at least
> > easy to find information). =A0I am not necessarily looking for the
> > solution on how to edit/update the dynamic worksheet. =A0I am trying to
> > find documentation on dynamic worksheets, their data, their
> > functionality that is more detailed than that in the 'Working with
> > Microsoft Dynamics 3.0' book. =A0This way, I have a better understanding=
> > and foundation to build on as I define how we will use this
> > functionality as an organization for our end users.- Hide quoted text -
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> > - Show quoted text -
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> The dynamic worksheet function is an inherent function of Excel so if
> you are going to find documentation it will be in documentation
> regarding Excel. Essentially a dynamic worksheet is just a normal
> Excel worksheet with a data link established pointing to the CRM
> exposed views.
>
> As for business context, the big advantage I see with them is if they
> are using Excel now for basic reporting, they can continue to do this
> but the data will be automatically updated when they open the
> spreadsheet up (assuming it is coming from CRM, although they can
> always add other data links). Moreover they can share the spreadsheet
> with other CRM users without compromising security (as is the case
> with static sheets). Common uses for dynamic worksheets are basic
> pipeline reporting or outstanding cases, this kind of thing.
>
> In short, a dynamics worksheet should work exactly like they static
> cousins but they give you the option to update the data automatically
> on startup. You may see behaviour such as cells being overwritten on
> update you don't want updating but you can change these kinds of
> behaviour by editing the properties of the data link (right-click on
> A1 or A2, I can't quite remember off the top of my head, and go to
> edit query or data range properties).
>
> Hope that helps ;)
>
> Leon Tribe- Hide quoted text -
>
> - Show quoted text -
Thanks Leon, the right click on A2 was what I needed and has put me on
the right direction. I couldn't find this info inthe help files until
I had the exact name of the window that popped up. This has been one
of those frustrating issues where if you don't search on very specific
phrases (sometime completely unknown to you) you won't even come close
to finding what you are looking for. Thanks again.
Michele