---
title: "Dialog Setup - Setup Tab - Lasernet FO Connector User Guide"
slug: "dialog-setup"
description: "Dialog setup is a Lasernet Connector function that allows you to customize the dialog that appears when you run a Lasernet report. "
tags: ["Finance and Operations", "Extended data type name", "Dialog setup", "Lasernet FO Connector", "Enum name", "Dynamics 365", "User guide", "Query source", "Report"]
updated: 2025-11-10T11:05:02Z
published: 2025-11-10T11:05:02Z
canonical: "kb.lasernetgroup.com/dialog-setup"
---

> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://kb.lasernetgroup.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Dialog Setup

Dialog Setup is a Lasernet Connector function that enables you to customize the dialog that appears when you run a Lasernet report. If you have a custom query with a Form Link, you can use Dialog Setup to customize the behavior and options of the **Lasernet** button when it is clicked. Examples of behaviors you can customize with Dialog Setup include adding parameters to the dialog that enable the user to make selections or add notes when printing the report, and adding default ranges so the report recognizes the currently selected record and runs on that record.

## Dialog Setup Locations

**Dialog setup** can be found in two places:

- **Lasernet** > **Common** > **Reports**, on the Action pane of the Lasernet query.

![](https://cdn.document360.io/c831ef63-c6b3-48ee-b443-3e33644e4e2e/Images/Documentation/image-AU82LX8H.png)

- **Lasernet** > **Common** > **Reports**, in the Form Link of a Lasernet query report.

![](https://cdn.document360.io/c831ef63-c6b3-48ee-b443-3e33644e4e2e/Images/Documentation/image-D4QZ83CT.png)

We will review the Dialog Setup found on the Action pane for the Lasernet query report. This Dialog Setup controls the dialog the user sees when they run the query report from the **Run report** button in the **Reports** form.

![](https://cdn.document360.io/c831ef63-c6b3-48ee-b443-3e33644e4e2e/Images/Documentation/image-GXVTZSV8.png)

## Dialog Setup Settings

After clicking **Dialog setup**, you will see a form with a **Default ranges** button and three fast tabs: **General**, **Parameters**, and **Details**.

![](https://cdn.document360.io/c831ef63-c6b3-48ee-b443-3e33644e4e2e/Images/Documentation/image-PRGW9WGT.png)

The **General** tab contains the following settings:

- **Execution**: Indicates how the report dialog shall be used when running a report.
- **Set focus**: Selects the control that should be selected when the form opens.
- **Submit when modified**: Automatically clicks **OK** after a field modification.

![](https://cdn.document360.io/c831ef63-c6b3-48ee-b443-3e33644e4e2e/Images/Documentation/image-GILK2DQA.png)

The **Parameters** tab enables you to add and customize the parameters on the dialog.

![](https://cdn.document360.io/c831ef63-c6b3-48ee-b443-3e33644e4e2e/Images/Documentation/image-2VHUV83Z.png)

When the **Show** checkbox is selected, the parameter will appear as an option on the dialog, enabling the user to modify it if needed.

**Control name** is a **Language Text** that allows your parameters’ name to translate automatically to the user’s language.

**Default value** allows you to hardcode a value for this parameter or use the **Expression editor** to dynamically select the default value.

**Range** allows the input in the parameter field to be read as a **Range** rather than a single value.

The **Load Instruction** column allows you to determine how the parameter field will load when the dialog pops up at a report run:

- **From last value**: The value used in the dialog on the last run of this report will load.
- **From default – fixed**: The value indicated in the **Default value** column will load and cannot be changed by the user running the report.
- **From default**: The value indicated in the **Default value** column will load, and the user can change it.
- **Clear**: No value will load.

![](https://cdn.document360.io/c831ef63-c6b3-48ee-b443-3e33644e4e2e/Images/Documentation/image-M3MBJAS1.png)

Lastly, the **Details** FastTab enables you to set properties on the **Parameter** that is currently selected.

![](https://cdn.document360.io/c831ef63-c6b3-48ee-b443-3e33644e4e2e/Images/Documentation/image-KSJP6K44.png)

The **Lookup** group includes two fields: **Extended data type name** and **Enum name**. If an extended data type or an **Enum name** already exists in the system corresponding to the parameter you have added, selecting it here creates a dropdown on the parameter in the dialog for the user to choose from.

- **Extended data type name**: Name of an extended data type in the AOT.
- **Enum name**: Name of enum in the AOT.

The **Default Ranges** button on a **Dialog setup** opens the **Default query ranges** form for the report. This form enables you to set up ranges and filters for report fields. On a **Dialog setup**, you can use **Default ranges** to assign **Parameter** values to fields in your report. This gives the user running the report the ability to filter and control the report's output.

## Example of Dialog Setup Configuration

### Prerequisite

We have created a custom query report called **CustomerInvoiceReport**.

1. Navigate to **Lasernet** > **Common** > **Reports**, select **CustomerInvoiceReport**, and select **Dialog setup** from the Action pane.
2. Select **Default** for **Execution**, leave **Set focus** blank, and toggle the **Submit when modified** button to **No**.

### Create a new Parameter

To add a new parameter, follow these steps:

1. Click **New** and provide a **Control name**.
2. Select the **Show** checkbox, choose a **Default value**, and select **From last value** for the **Load instruction** field.

![](https://cdn.document360.io/c831ef63-c6b3-48ee-b443-3e33644e4e2e/Images/Documentation/image-34FGLJI6.png)

### Set Up a Default Range Using a Parameter

To set up a **Default range** using a **Parameter**, follow these steps:

1. Click **Default ranges**.
2. Add a line for table **CustTable** and field **AccountNum**.
3. Scroll to the right and select the **Expression editor** button.

![](https://cdn.document360.io/c831ef63-c6b3-48ee-b443-3e33644e4e2e/Images/Documentation/1632734959315.png)

The Expression Editor will open.

1. In the **Selected value** field, click the dropdown and select **Parameter**.
2. Click the dropdown again, and you will now see all the **Dialog Parameters** available for selection.

![](https://cdn.document360.io/c831ef63-c6b3-48ee-b443-3e33644e4e2e/Images/Documentation/1632735245145.png)

1. Select the new parameter and click **OK** to close the Expression Editor.
2. Click **OK** in the Dialog Setup to close it.

![](https://cdn.document360.io/c831ef63-c6b3-48ee-b443-3e33644e4e2e/Images/Documentation/1632735352598.png)

1. Select **Run report** from the Action pane.

![](https://cdn.document360.io/c831ef63-c6b3-48ee-b443-3e33644e4e2e/Images/Documentation/image-Y7IFVVW6.png)

You will now see the new parameter. You can type in a value before clicking **OK** to run the report.

![](https://cdn.document360.io/c831ef63-c6b3-48ee-b443-3e33644e4e2e/Images/Documentation/image-3TLLF7UE.png)

The report will run using the value you have entered in the dialog as a filter on the corresponding table.

![](https://cdn.document360.io/c831ef63-c6b3-48ee-b443-3e33644e4e2e/Images/Documentation/1632735657123.png)

![](https://cdn.document360.io/c831ef63-c6b3-48ee-b443-3e33644e4e2e/Images/Documentation/1632735691224.png)

### Use Extended Data Type

To use the **Extended data type**, follow these steps:

1. Open the Dialog Setup again and select the new parameter.
2. In the **Details** FastTab, open the dropdown for **Extended data type name**, select **CustAccount**, and click **OK**.

![](https://cdn.document360.io/c831ef63-c6b3-48ee-b443-3e33644e4e2e/Images/Documentation/1632735874635.png)

1. From the Action pane, select **Run report**. The dialog will appear.
2. Click the dropdown arrow for the **Parameter**, and you will now see a selection of **Account numbers** in the system.

![](https://cdn.document360.io/c831ef63-c6b3-48ee-b443-3e33644e4e2e/Images/Documentation/1632736635588.png)

1. Select a value from the dropdown and click **OK** to run the report.

The report will run using the value you have selected in the dialog as a filter on the corresponding table.

![](https://cdn.document360.io/c831ef63-c6b3-48ee-b443-3e33644e4e2e/Images/Documentation/1632736736460.png)

![](https://cdn.document360.io/c831ef63-c6b3-48ee-b443-3e33644e4e2e/Images/Documentation/1632736791135.png)

### Use Custom Enum Fields and Single Select

You can customize the dropdown list the user sees on a Dialog Setup by using custom **Enum** fields. To use the custom **Enum** fields, follow these steps:

1. Open the Dialog Setup again and select the parameter.
2. In the **Details** FastTab, ensure the **Extended data type** and **Enum name** are blank, as we will create custom **Enum** fields.

![](https://cdn.document360.io/c831ef63-c6b3-48ee-b443-3e33644e4e2e/Images/Documentation/mceclip0.png)

1. In the **Default value** field, define your custom **Enum** fields by typing in each field in the following format: `[Name]#[Value]`.

The following image shows the **Customer account name** as the **Name** and the **Account number** as the **Value**. Each option is separated by a comma.

![](https://cdn.document360.io/c831ef63-c6b3-48ee-b443-3e33644e4e2e/Images/Documentation/mceclip1 (1).png)

1. Define the **Multiple value type**. Select **Single select** to limit the user to selecting one value, and click **OK**.

![](https://cdn.document360.io/c831ef63-c6b3-48ee-b443-3e33644e4e2e/Images/Documentation/mceclip2.png)

1. From the Action pane, select **Run report**. The dialog will appear.
2. Click the dropdown arrow for the **Parameter**, and you will now see a selection of the **Account number values** you defined in the **Dialog setup**.

![](https://cdn.document360.io/c831ef63-c6b3-48ee-b443-3e33644e4e2e/Images/Documentation/mceclip3.png)

1. Select a value from the dropdown and click **OK** to run the report.

The report will run using the value you have selected in the dialog as a filter on the corresponding table.

![](https://cdn.document360.io/c831ef63-c6b3-48ee-b443-3e33644e4e2e/Images/Documentation/mceclip4.png)

![](https://cdn.document360.io/c831ef63-c6b3-48ee-b443-3e33644e4e2e/Images/Documentation/mceclip5.png)

### Use Multiple Values Field

In the previous section, we used custom **Enum** fields with **Multiple value type Single select**. **Multi-select** allows the user to select more than one option.

To use the custom **Multi-select**, follow these steps:

1. Open the Dialog Setup again and select the parameter.
2. In the **Details** FastTab, set the **Multiple** value type to **Multi-select** and click **OK**.

![](https://cdn.document360.io/c831ef63-c6b3-48ee-b443-3e33644e4e2e/Images/Documentation/mceclip6.png)

1. From the Action pane, select **Run report**. The dialog will appear.
2. Click the dropdown arrow for the parameter. You will now see a selection of the **Account number** values you defined in the Dialog Setup, with the option to select multiple values.
3. Select multiple values and click **OK** to run the report.

![](https://cdn.document360.io/c831ef63-c6b3-48ee-b443-3e33644e4e2e/Images/Documentation/mceclip7.png)

1. The report will run using the value you have selected in the dialog as a filter on the corresponding table.

![](https://cdn.document360.io/c831ef63-c6b3-48ee-b443-3e33644e4e2e/Images/Documentation/mceclip8.png)

### Use a Range and System Functions

You can use user input to filter on a range of values for your report. For example, when running a report on a date range. It is also possible to filter on a **UtcDateTime** field value using **System methods**.

To achieve this by using system methods and the Expression Editor, follow these steps:

1. Open the Dialog Setup and add two new parameters. One for the **From date** and one for the **To date**.

![](https://cdn.document360.io/c831ef63-c6b3-48ee-b443-3e33644e4e2e/Images/Documentation/mceclip9.png)

1. Add an extended data type name for each of the newly added parameters. Use **FromDate** for the **From** parameter and **ToDate** for the **To** parameter.

![](https://cdn.document360.io/c831ef63-c6b3-48ee-b443-3e33644e4e2e/Images/Documentation/mceclip10.png)

1. Select **Default ranges**, add the table and relevant date field that will be filtered, and open the Expression Editor.

![](https://cdn.document360.io/c831ef63-c6b3-48ee-b443-3e33644e4e2e/Images/Documentation/mceclip11.png)

1. Add the following system functions unless they already exist. Select **Add system function**, and find the **Class name** and **Method name**, and click **OK** to add these to the list of available functions:

- Global:: datetobeginUtcDateTime(..)

![](https://cdn.document360.io/c831ef63-c6b3-48ee-b443-3e33644e4e2e/Images/Documentation/mceclip13.png)

- Global:: datetoendUtcDateTime(..)

![](https://cdn.document360.io/c831ef63-c6b3-48ee-b443-3e33644e4e2e/Images/Documentation/mceclip14.png)

- DateTimeUtil:: getUserPreferredTimeZone(..)

![](https://cdn.document360.io/c831ef63-c6b3-48ee-b443-3e33644e4e2e/Images/Documentation/mceclip15.png)

1. Create the following expression: **datetobeginUtcDateTime ( Parameter.From , getUserPreferredTimeZone( ) )+ ".." + datetoendUtcDateTime ( Parameter.To ,getUserPreferredTimeZone ( ))**

![](https://cdn.document360.io/c831ef63-c6b3-48ee-b443-3e33644e4e2e/Images/Documentation/mceclip16.png)

> [!WARNING]
> Warning
> 
> Results may vary depending on whether a user time zone is specified or not.

1. Click **OK** to save changes and close out of the Dialog Setup. From the Action pane, select **Run report**. The dialog will appear.

![](https://cdn.document360.io/c831ef63-c6b3-48ee-b443-3e33644e4e2e/Images/Documentation/mceclip17.png)

1. Select the calendar icon, and you will now see the option to select a date. Populate the **From** and **To** parameters, and run the report.
2. The report will run using the values you have selected in the dialog as a filter on the corresponding tables.

![](https://cdn.document360.io/c831ef63-c6b3-48ee-b443-3e33644e4e2e/Images/Documentation/mceclip18.png)

![](https://cdn.document360.io/c831ef63-c6b3-48ee-b443-3e33644e4e2e/Images/Documentation/mceclip19.png)

> [!WARNING]
> Warning
> 
> When running the report an error is thrown back: ‘Error in Query Wizard - Lasernet can't display SQL call that has expression in it and throws an error.’
> 
> This is just a display error, not a functional error.