Below is an exert from a future "Tech Tips" that I wrote for the Microsoft Dynamics GP User Group (GPUG) to send to it's members. If you are not a member, you should review membership.
What are Excel Data Limitations?
Which version of Excel should you use?
You’ll want to be on Excel Version 2007 or 2010. Why? Column and row capacities in older versions cannot accommodate some of the files. Below is a table that shows size limitations of various versions of Excel. You’ll see that Excel 2007 and Excel 2010 have much larger row and column maximums than the older versions.
You should always work with supported versions of software; this includes both GP AND Excel.
|
Version
|
Max. Rows
|
Max. Columns
|
Max Columns by letter
|
|
Excel 2010
|
1,048,576
|
16,384
|
XFD
|
|
Excel 2007
|
1,048,576
|
16,384
|
XFD
|
|
Excel 2003
|
65,536
|
256
|
IV
|
|
Excel 2002 (XP)
|
65,536
|
256
|
IV
|
|
Excel 2000
|
65,536
|
256
|
IV
|
|
Excel 97
|
65,536
|
256
|
IV
|
|
Excel 95
|
16,384
|
256
|
IV
|
|
Excel 5
|
16,384
|
256
|
IV
|
Over a million records sounds like a lot, but it still might not be able to handle your needs, so you’ll need to address your Excel needs differently. Let’s review some options:
What is the difference between an Excel Table and an Excel Worksheet
Think of a table as being an “Excel Database.” In an Excel worksheet, you can put a single record on many lines if you like (like the following).
A table will be setup so each row is one complete record and each record is only on 1 row (like the following.)
Both of the above examples provide the same information, but by placing the data in a table rather than a worksheet:
- Excel will apply default formatting to any new data added.
- Excel will automatically apply the Filter setting. The headings for filters will remain when you scroll down.
- You can easily add totals to the bottom with the check box in the Table Tools Design tab.
- If you create a formula in a column, new data rows will have the formulas automatically copied to the new record. (This is a powerful feature if you use a calculated column in a Pivot Table.) This also means Pivot Tables will automatically capture the new data as well.
Understanding and using Tables is an important and necessary element to Excel Reporting.
Belinda (the GP CSI) AllenBelinda@saci.com917-445-9070
FYI Microsoft Dynamics GP users... Early Bird Pricing ends on 1/25/13 so Register today!
Full Attendee Pass
November 14, 2012 to January 25, 2013 = $1,495
After January 25, 2013 = $1,795
This pass includes access to:
- Keynotes
- Sessions
- Conference meals
- Convergence Experience Center (including the Expo Experience, Microsoft Solutions Experience, and Community Experience areas)
- Convergence Celebration (Thursday Evening)
- Convergence Experience Reception (Monday Evening)
- Attendee tools & resources
- Virtual Convergence
Kofi A. Annan
Former Secretary-General, United Nations
Kofi A. Annan was the seventh Secretary-General of the United Nations, serving two terms (from January 1, 1997 to December 31, 2006) and was the first to emerge from the ranks of United Nations staff. In 2001 Kofi Annan and the United Nations were jointly awarded the Nobel Prize for Peace with the citation praising his leadership for “bringing new life to the organization”.
Since leaving the United Nations, Kofi Annan has continued to press for better policies to meet the needs of the poorest and most vulnerable, particularly in Africa. He has also continued to use his experience to mediate and resolve conflict. In Kenya in early 2008, Mr. Annan led the African Union’s Panel of Eminent African Personalities to help find a peaceful resolution to the post-election violence.
One of Kofi Annan’s main priorities as Secretary-General was a comprehensive program of reform aimed at revitalizing the United Nations and making the international system more effective. He was a constant advocate for human rights, the rule of law, the Millennium Development Goals and Africa and sought to bring the organization closer to the global public by forging ties with civil society, the private sector and other partners.
See Kofi Annan in the Closing Keynote on Thursday, March 21 beginning at 9:00am.
Convergence Closing Celebration
As Convergence comes to a close, get ready to celebrate a great week! You definitely won’t want to miss this closing party—complete with terrific food and beverages, fun activities, and an amazing concert with Matchbox Twenty! It’s the perfect way to celebrate with friends and colleagues and cap off your Convergence 2013 experience!
Belinda (the GP CSI) AllenBelinda@saci.com917-445-9070
I will be presenting at the local meeting (New York City, NY) on Tuesday, January 22, 2013 at 6:00pm. The meetings can be attended in person or remotely.
I will be discussing “Accounting in the Cloud.” I will cover basic elements of the cloud that you may heard of but do not quite understand; and how and when these elements are used when you use your Accounting or Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system in the cloud.
If you are interested in attending or joining the NY chapter, send an email to fengnfpsig@gmail.com or visit: http://www.thefeng.org.
THE FENG STORY
The Financial Executives Networking Group was founded in 1991 as a forum for senior financial executives to share job opportunities and experiences. Members have held titles such as Chief Financial Officer, Controller, Treasurer, Managing Director, as well as Vice President of Tax, Mergers & Acquisitions, or Internal Audit.
Matt Bud, Chairman
Under the leadership of its Chairman, Matthew R. Bud, The FENG has grown from a small Connecticut based organization to one with over 43,000 members spread across the entire United States and internationally. It is the largest networking group of its type in the entire world. Matt is a volunteer as are all of the other 200+ individuals in our leadership. He is also a Managing Partner of The Financial Executives Consulting Group, LLC (www.TheFECG.com).
Among the first to recognize the power of the Internet as a social networking tool, Matt has connected its members on a daily basis through outbound email.
Our members currently represent the senior financial management of over 8,000 private and 2,500 public companies:
• Over 40% work at companies with sales over $500 million
• Over 55% work at companies with more than 500 employees
The FENG is organized geographically with chapters in almost every major city in the United States. We have active international chapters in London and Toronto. Members also join various “special interest groups” organized by 21 industries and 13 financial functions (e.g. Treasury, Tax, Internal Audit, etc.). This matrix approach maximizes each member’s networking opportunities to enhance and manage their career.
The FENG newsletter is published 5 days a week, 52 weeks a year. Each month we publish over 1,500 pages of senior level financial job opportunities, as well as career advice. The FENG also works with other networking groups to sponsor events and conduct conference calls to keep our members informed about the issues that shape today’s financial world.
Featured on CBS Evening News with Katie Couric, and in The Wall Street Journal, The FENG is a nationally recognized organization for senior financial professionals. Membership is currently growing at an annual rate of 15%.
Belinda (the GP CSI) AllenBelinda@saci.com917-445-9070
Here is my review on the new book written by my fellow MVP, Leslie Vail:
There are so many methods to customize a Microsoft Dynamics GP installation that it can be overwhelming when trying to decide which approach to take to meet your particular business needs. Leslie Vail's Developing Microsoft Dynamics GP Business Applications does an amazing job of reviewing these options AND providing valuable information on how to use and work with each option.
I pride myself of being a "minor-league programmer" (nowhere near Leslie's skills!); however, this book has motivated me to give Dexterity programming a go, just for fun.
I've worked with the GP product line for 22 years, and I love using many of these tools, so I know a great source when I see one. The explanation of the GP architecture and the overview of available tools are my favorite parts.
This book is now an invaluable part of my tool kit.
Leslie is an amazing resource, and I'm thrilled she's transferred some of her knowledge to paper (physical or electronic)!
Belinda (the GP CSI) AllenBelinda@saci.com917-445-9070
Today I am all excited about training. Please, please, please do not ignore this all import aspect of your Microsoft Dynamics GP system.
So why is my usual excitement regarding training renewed today? One of my clients invited me to attend their annual conference, so here I am in Miami South Beach watching over 12,000 heart surgeons learn. (In case you are interested here is the conference website http://www.tctconference.com/).
These surgeons perform interventional procedures on the heart. So they are the ones who use a stent rather than cut you wide open, reducing risks and recovery time. Although what I've seen and heard is fascinating (at least what I can understand), I am overjoyed at their commitment to continue learning. These men and women are focusing on what can make them better, make their patients health better, AND new technologies.
Today is my fourth day here and these suregons are still going strong with 1 more day to go. I see they understand the importance of networking. Not networking to land more business, get a job or make sales; but networking to learn how to be better at their jobs. With surgeons the results of being better at their job is easily measured. The better they are the more patients live and the longer patients live.
The results of being better at your job, in the world of accounting might be tougher to measure. Let's review some "excuses" and measurements now.
- You are too busy for training - If an hour training class saves you 10 minutes a week, how much easier will your job be in 7 weeks? 14 weeks? 52 weeks?
- You'll just figure it out on your own. - This not only takes longer, but you'll end up missing something that can save you time and money. See item number 1 or just stay late and come in on weekends.
- You'll just use online help. - Online help is great and should be used more BUT online help is created to explain a single window or item, not to explain concepts or procedural guidelines. Again, see items 1 and 2.
Being better at your job makes you work less and smarter. You also can provide accurate information more quickly making you the "data hero" in your company.
There are some similarities between you as a GP user and these surgeons.
- You need to keep learning to make yourself better.
- You need to keep learning how you can have better results.
- You need to learn how to be proactive and be thinking 3 steps ahead.
- You need to keep your eye on emerging techologies and use them when they prove beneficial.
In short, do not cheat yourself by skipping training!
Belinda (the GP CSI) AllenBelinda@saci.com917-445-9070
How about that! I made Microsoft Dynamics GP MVP status! Hooray for me! Actually, my teammates should also be recognized. They are quite amazing, including 2nd time Microsoft Dynamics GP MVP, Jivtesh Singh!
From the Microsoft MVP Website:
To receive the MVP Award, you must be passionate about Microsoft technology.
MVPs are recognized for their exceptional technical expertise, willingness to help others make the most of their technology, and for making a significant and positive impact on communities.
This is no small feat: Of the more than 100 million social and technical community members worldwide, each year only about 4,000 are recognized as MVPs.
Individuals are nominated for the Microsoft MVP Award by their peers or Microsoft employees, and each nominee's contributions are then compared to the other candidates' contributions for the same year. Active MVPs and new candidates are evaluated equally.
MVPs reach out and contribute to online and offline communities through a broad range of channels. These include online forums such as Microsoft Answers, TechNet and MSDN; wikis and online content; conferences and user groups; their own podcasts, Web sites and blogs; and articles and books.
Belinda (the GP CSI) AllenBelinda@saci.com917-445-9070
Wow, 30 years. I remember as a junior in college I was asked to use Lotus Symphony in a class project. Nobody in the class used it, it was too daunting. That was when an entire quarter was devoted to building applications in BASIC that did loan payments and such. I use a spreadsheet every day now, even on my iPad!
Now, if I do not have my two 24" monitors I get irritated.
It's been a long road from Lotus Symphony to Dynamics GP!
Belinda (the GP CSI) AllenBelinda@saci.com917-445-9070
You would not drive your car without a dashboard, why do you drive your business without one? Using Microsoft SQL Server Reporting Services with Microsoft SQL Server 2008 and Microsoft Dynamics GP 2010 R2, will give you a dashboard with the click of 1 box. No kidding, watch me do it in this video!
Smith & Allen Consulting, Inc.Also see my previous Post
Metrics, what are they good for?Belinda (the GP CSI) AllenBelinda@saci.com917-445-9070
This blog shows off the resource tool designed by my team mate, Jivtesh Singh (Microsoft Dynamics GP MVP). Although I barely touch the power of this amazing tool in this video, it’s enough to give you a world of resources you never even knew existed.
www.SACI.comBelinda (the GP CSI) AllenBelinda@saci.com917-445-9070
I am so proud and thrilled to announce that my team-mate and friend, Jivtesh Singh was just awarded the Microsoft Most Valuable Professional status for Dynamics GP. He’s always been a MVP to me.
It thrills me to no end that they recognized the amazing commitment Jivtesh has to helping users, whether they are a Smith & Allen Client or not. It is thanks to Jivteshs’ encouragement that I created this very blog.
I cannot praise him high enough, and I’m proud of his accomplishment and I’m proud he’s my friend!
Belinda (the GP CSI) AllenBelinda@saci.com917-445-9070