Microsoft Dynamics GP Macros: Recording A Macro

In this series I am taking a look at how macros can be used to update data in Microsoft Dynamics GP.

Recording a macro is a fairly simple task, but I strongly recommend knowing the exact series of steps to be recorded, before starting to record the macro. I usually take a couple of practise runs before hitting record.

One of the common uses of macros for clients is to reset passwords when upgrading Microsoft Dynamics GP; due to versions of Windows and SQL Server supported by Dynamics GP, new servers are involved so these have different names (and the server name is used during encrypting the passwords.

So, in this series of posts, I am going to use resetting passwords as the example.

Macros are capable of opening and closing windows, but when resetting passwords this isn’t necessary so, before starting to record the macro, open the User Setup window (Administration >> Setup >> System >> User).

To record this macro, I am going to perform the following steps:

1. Type a User ID.
2. Type a new Password.
3. Repeat this password in the Confirm Password field.
4. Click Save.

To start recording the macro, click the Tools button on the action pane, then expand the Macro menu and click Record…:

Navigate to the location where the macro file is to be saved, enter a File name (it is best to enter the .mac as Dynamics GP will not add it for you) and click Save; from this point until the record is stopped, every action is recorded, including any missteps you might make.

I have typed the first User ID and then entered new password values:

Click Save to save the changes and then click the Tools button on the action pane, then expand the Macro menu and click Stop Record:

With the one user password changed and saved as a template we can use this template to update other the other user accounts; I will show how this can be done over the subsequent posts.