Replicator

Add, update, and delete multiple records in GP with ease!

Map Columns Button demo animation

What and Why?

For years, many have successfully used macros in combination with Word's Mail Merge to perform mass updates in GP. However, this has not been without frustration! The following are all too common pain points you may relate to as well:

Where do I start again?... When starting Mail Merge, it is always difficult to remember the correct type to choose: Letters, Envelopes,..., Directory?
Choosing the correct source data... When performing "Select Recipients", it is often hard to figure out how to choose the correct data range from Excel.
Not so "smart" quotes... When editing a macro in Word, the smart quotes are prone to messing up the macro. You intend to type a ' but Word gives you ‘ or ’. GP works with ' but it bombs with the other two.
Getting locked out... Too often, when attempting to edit the data in the Excel file it fails, because the Word file is still open causing a lock-out situation.
Header Lines vs Repeating lines... There are certain lines in the macro that are only needed at the top of the file (#DEX... or an open window command for example). This requires remembering to take them out of the macro, so that they are not repeated multiple times. It also means you have the burden of remembering to add the lines back, when done.
Saving / Renaming the file... The results must be saved to a text file with a ".mac" file extension after running Mail Merge. This yet another tedious step for which one must remember the correct details.
Frustration overload!... "This sounds familiar, but what were the exact steps again?" There are many required steps that must be performed in the correct order within multiple programs. Keeping everthing straight can be a nightmare at times.

For those of you who haven't dealt extensively with Mail Merge, you may be wondering, "what is he complaining and blathering on about?" However, those of you have dealt with Mail Merge, may relate all too well to such frustrations. Instead of complaining about it, I thought "Hey, I'm a Software Engineer, I can fix this and make it both better and simpler!" You will find everything you need to get started below.

Resources

Replicator Excel

Download Excel File

Version 1.1.1.2 October 24, 2024

Let Macros in Dynamics GP be your Superpower

Download PowerPoint

This is the instruction file for Replicator.xlsm. This PowerPoint slide deck is large, around 54 MB, because it contains embedded video demonstrations.

GP Macro

Download XML File

Right click and save as. Custom colors for GP Macros in Notepad++ (It doesn't seem to be a valid xml file, but Notepad++ likes it)

Notepad++

Visit Site to Download

Notepad++ is a free source code editor and Notepad replacement that supports several languages.

Version History

Press the "?" button in Replicator to determine your current version.

Version	Date	Features
1.1.1.2	October 24, 2024	Fixed embedded quotes in the data.
1.1.1.1	October 25, 2023	Fixed the TypeNotes function to properly handle long lines of text in the notes window
1.1.1.0	August 29, 2023	Two new functions have been added that can be used in the data table: =TypeNotes(YourNoteText) will generate the macro code allowing you to add multiples lines of text to a note field. All Carriage Returns and "\n" will be replaced with the proper macro code for the multiple lines. =MoveDown(fieldName, linesDisplayed, linesToMoveTo) this will generate the macro code to move down "linesToMove" lines in the "fieldName" scroll window. The "linesDisplayed" must be set to the number of lines on the scroll windows that are displayed. Notes: 1. Both of these functions should be used in the Data Table 2. The column name in the Data Table needs to start with a "~". ~NoteText for example. This way, Replicator will not fix all ' characters that are in the data.
1.1.0.2	October 4, 2022	Fixed problem with Scrolling Window code, Clear Macro and Clear Data Table buttons - Don't prompt to delete if the tables are empty
1.1.0.1	October 10, 2021	Feature: Name the Data Column starting with a ~ to prevent Replicator from changing all ' to ~' when Replicating
1.1.0.0	October 15, 2020	Added Map Columns for easy mapping of data columns into the macro, Fixed bug that occurred if a ' or ~ was in the data, Repositioned the Clear Data and Reset Data buttons, Updated Freeze Panes so the top of data table is always visible, Renamed Header Rows to Header Lines
1.0.1.0	August 12, 2019	Added Data Table Name so your data table can live in a different location (worksheet or workbook)
1.0.0.3	June 12, 2018	Minor changes and fixes
1.0.0.2	January 29, 2018	Major Update! Added MaxRecordNumber and chaned the UI layout
Prior	Initial Release	(Initial Release) Upgrade now!