Update the structure of a business document template

In the Template structure pane of the Business document management template editor, you can modify a business document template by adding new fields to a template in Microsoft Excel. The structure of the template is then automatically updated in Dynamics 365 Finance, so that it reflects the changes that you made in the Template structure pane.

You can also modify a template by using Office 365 online functionality. For example, you can add a new named item, such as a picture or shape, to the editable worksheet. In this case, the structure of the template isn't automatically updated in Finance, and the item that you added doesn't appear in the Template structure pane. Manually update the template structure in Finance by selecting Update structure on the template editor page.

For more information about this feature, complete the following example.

Example: Update the structure of a business document template

This example shows how a system administrator can update the structure of a business document template in Finance after the template is modified in Office Online. The following sections explain the steps that are involved.

Prepare a business document template for editing

Complete the following procedures in Business document management overview.

1. Configure ER parameters
2. Import ER solutions
3. Enable Business document management
4. Configure parameters

Edit a business document template

1. In the Business document management workspace, select New document.

2. On the Create a new template page, select the Free text invoice (ER sample)(Excel) template.

3. Select Create document.

4. In the Title field, enter FTI sample Litware.

5. Select OK to create the new template.

   Note

   If you haven't yet signed in to Office Online, you're directed to the Office 365 sign-in page. To return to your Finance environment, select the Back button in your browser.

   The new template is opened for editing in the Excel Online embedded control on the template editor page.

Review the current structure of the editable template

1. In Excel Online, on the ribbon, on the View tab, in the Show group, select Gridlines.
2. In the editable template, select the rectangle above the template title. This rectangle is a picture that is named rptHeaderCompLogo.
3. If the Template structure pane is hidden, select Show structure.
4. In the Template structure pane, expand Report > Invoice > rptHeader > rptHeaderPart1.
5. Notice that, in the template structure in Finance, the rptHeaderCompLogo item is presented as a child item of Report > Invoice > rptHeader > rptHeaderPart1.

Update the structure of a business document template by deleting a picture

1. In Excel Online, in the editable template, select the rptHeaderCompLogo picture.

2. Follow one of these steps to delete the selected picture from the editable template:

   • Select the Delete key on your keyboard.
   • Select and hold (or right-click) the picture, and then select Cut.

   Note

   The rptHeaderCompLogo item is currently still present in the template structure in Finance, even though the picture is no longer included in the Excel template.

3. Select Update structure to sync the structure of the editable template in Excel and Finance.

4. In the Template structure pane, expand Report > Invoice > rptHeader > rptHeaderPart1.

5. Notice that the rptHeaderCompLogo item is no longer included in the template structure in Finance.

Update the structure of a business document template by adding a picture

1. In Excel Online, on the ribbon, on the Insert tab, in the Illustrations group, select Picture.
2. Select Choose file, browse to the image that you want to add, select it, and then select OK.
3. Select Insert.
4. Move the new picture until it's in the correct place. By default, Excel names the picture. For example, it might name the picture Picture 2.
5. Select Update structure to sync the structure of the editable template in Excel and Finance.
6. In the Template structure pane, expand Report > Invoice > rptHeader > rptHeaderPart1.
7. Notice that the new picture is now included as an item in the template structure in Finance.

Related links

Electronic reporting (ER) overview

Business document management overview