Document Format (DFS)

Document Format (DFS) is used to produce reports.

Document formats serve three main purposes.

  • They point to a report file that is available for a business function, and define some of the parameters and default options for the report.
  • They hold the transaction references.
  • They are the entry point for the Consolidation Rules.

Linking a function to a report

A document format provides the link between the report you select in a SunSystems process or form, and the reporting process that produces the report. A document format is required for every report that is produced by a process or a forms action.

A document format specifies the following information which is used to produce the report:

  • the name and location of the report file.
  • the type of report being produced, for example, a report or a document.
  • general default run time details, for example, the default printer, number of copies, language, whether the report is to be displayed, printed or stored in a file.
  • general parameter control details, for example, whether the parameters should be saved for reuse, whether the parameters should be displayed or printed.
  • document printing options, for example, reprint options, test page options, and pre-printed stationery options.
  • Financials processing options, for example, to set an allocation marker or document date after printing.
  • Order Fulfilment reprint processing options.
  • tax reporting description details.

Setting up document formats

A document format provides the link between the SunSystems Financials or Order Fulfilment report request and the SunSystems Reporting Services functionality which generates the report. The document format identifies the Report file (.srdl file) used to produce the report and the report parameters and other details required.

Note:  Document formats are also used to hold transaction references and provide an entry point for Consolidation Rules.
A document format must be defined for every Report executable that may be called by another SunSystems function.
Note: Reports that are run directly from Report Manager or from menu shortcuts do not require a Document Format.

When you run a report that requires a document format, the report parameters are generally entered on the Document Format parameters form rather than in the Report Manager Parameters form. Many of the settings you define here for a document format, provide the default report parameters values that appear on Document Formats.

Document Format (DFS)

The Document Format form contains the following:

  • Header Information
  • Registration
  • General - Runtime Defaults
  • General - Other Settings
  • Documents
  • Transaction Reference
  • Financials Processing
  • Consolidation Rules
  • Tax Filters