At the end of each year, I find myself focusing on payroll-related blog topics. To break free from this pattern, I’m exploring other areas like Management Reporter, a recurring theme in my recent projects. When tackling large report projects, I prioritize efficient design and maintenance. Dimension Sets offer a simple yet effective solution.

Formerly known as Account Sets in FRx, Dimension Sets enable the grouping of accounts for use across multiple reports. This functionality extends to Management Reporter, where these sets bundle dimensions (specific segments of your General Ledger) into named groups for referencing in row, column, or tree definitions.

Dimension Sets offer several advantages:

• Use the same set across multiple row, column, and/or tree definitions.
• Allow clients to pre-configure sets, simplifying report creation.
• Automatically update all reports referencing a set when it’s modified.
• Enable adding, subtracting, and including ranges within a set.
• Simplify row definitions, enhancing readability and clarity.
• Centralize the maintenance of key sets, such as Net Sales or Administrative Expenses, used in multiple reports.

Within a row, column, or tree definition, you can utilize:

• Multiple Dimension Sets (e.g., various Account sets or a combination of Account and Department sets).
• A mix of Dimension Sets and individual dimensions (e.g., an Account set combined with a specific department segment).

Using Dimension Sets necessitates upfront report design planning. Analyzing all reports to identify common groupings that can leverage these sets is highly beneficial.

Creating Dimension Sets in Management Reporter is straightforward once identified. With any building block (row, column, or tree) open, navigate to Edit»Manage Dimension Sets.

Start by choosing the Dimension for the set from the drop-down list, selecting any segment of your chart of accounts (e.g., main account, department, or division). You can then select an existing Dimension Set and click Modify or create a new one by clicking New. Existing sets can also be Deleted or used as a template by selecting Save As.

After clicking New, the New dimension set window appears, prompting you to enter a Set Name and Set Description. Next, specify the segment values and ranges to be included in the Dimension Set. Use the + and - signs to add or subtract segment values and ranges within the set. Click OK to save.

To use a Dimension Set, access the Dimensions window from a tree, row, or column building block. For instance:

• Within a row definition, double-click the Link to Financial Dimensions field.
• In a column definition, double-click the Column Restriction field.
• Within a tree definition, double-click the Dimensions field.

In the dimensions window, double-click the desired segment/dimension field to populate. This will open the corresponding segment/dimension window (in this example, MainAccount). Select the Dimension Set radio button and use the ellipsis (three dots) button to choose from the available Dimension Sets for that segment/dimension. The Manage Dimension Sets button provides a shortcut for editing and creating new Dimension Sets.

Click OK to save your entries. Repeat this process for other dimensions in the window or move to a different row, column, or tree branch within your report. To add a segment value to Net Sales or the Domestic Divisions rollup, simply edit the Dimension Set. All reports referencing this set will update automatically.

Christina Phillips is a Microsoft Certified Trainer and Dynamics GP Certified Professional. She is a supervising consultant with BKD Technologies, providing training, support, and project management services to new and existing Microsoft Dynamics customers. This blog represents her views only, not those of her employer.