In this article, part of our series All your D365FO Reporting options in one place, we take a closer look at Electronic Reporting (ER) and Configurable Business Documents (CBD) — D365FO feature that allows users to design, customize, and maintain business documents without code changes or developer intervention. We will show you how ER works and where the limitations lie.

ER/CBD Solution Overview

We start by describing how each of the 5 reporting elements presented in the introductory video is solved in ER:

• Data source is maintained through the data model and model mapping configurations.
• Format design is done in MS Excel or MS Word as a tool for designing the formats.
• Document generation is performed in the context of D365FO.
• Document distribution is controlled through Electronic Reporting destinations, which bring certain improvements over the SSRS destinations.
• Configuration/Management is done through D365FO UI for both Print management and non-Print management reports.

🎬 Watch the ER Solution Overview video to learn how Electronic Reporting works in D365FO and how it differs from SSRS:

DEMO

For the demonstration of the ER framework, we will use a Purchase order report.

Data Source

We will demonstrate a simple scenario of adding a new field to the report data source, by modifying the model- and model mapping configurations.

Format Design

When it comes to the Electronic Reporting format design of the business documents, Microsoft has delivered Excel designs, as well as MS Word design for some documents. We will demonstrate adding a field and its related label to Excel-based template. 👇

Document Generation, Distribution and Management

We will show you how ER reports are executed and distributed using Print management, and how to configure the Electronic Reporting destinations such as file, email or printer. By watching the video, you will also see how to test document output and verify the applied configuration settings.

Pain Points

We will take a closer look at the most common challenges and limitations users face when working with Electronic Reporting and Configurable Business Documents in D365FO. While ER offers a no-code approach and a wide range of prebuilt configurations, it also comes with a number of technical and usability drawbacks.

These are the main challenges in each of the five core reporting areas:

• Data source: data modelling and model mapping can be complex for non-developers, while for technical profiles it is usually faster and less error-prone to write an X++ code than to maintain the ER configurations.
• Format Design: working with ER formats, Excel or Word, is non-intuitive, leading to non-efficient format designing process. Format design in Excel is less complicated and therefore preferred, but still has several disadvantages, especially with dynamic content and advanced layout needs.
• Document Generation: larger reports may take a long time to generate. Additional PDF document processing, such as encryption, PDF/A conformance and digital signing, is not supported and may result in complex customizations.
• Document Distribution: configuration of ER destinations is non-intuitive and widely required features, such as dynamic content are overcomplicated for non-developers.
• Configuration/Management: there is an improvement over SSRS, but also certain drawbacks when compared to SSRS.

🎬 Watch this video to learn why ER, while powerful, may not fully meet all reporting expectations — especially for more advanced scenarios.

Pain Points Summary

In the video below, we are summarizing the pros and cons of ER/CBD reporting in D365FO. We will explain where Electronic Reporting is a better choice over SSRS —especially for simple, no-code scenarios—but also where ER falls short and why involvement of a technical profile is often still needed. In many cases alternative solutions should be considered.

See Also

All your D365FO reporting options in one place: Full playlist on YouTube >>
All your D365FO reporting options in one place (#1/5): Introduction >>
All your D365FO reporting options in one place (#2/5): SSRS >>
All your D365FO reporting options in one place (#3/5): ER/CBD >>
All your D365FO reporting options in one place (#4/5): Docentric versus ER/CBD >>

How-to manuals: Docentric Print destinations >>
Check also our other articles on Electronic Reporting >>