Utilizing the Navigation Pane in Microsoft Dynamics GP

In Microsoft Dynamics GP, the Navigation Pane is found on the far left side of the desktop. The Navigation Pane is broken into two parts:  Shortcuts and Modules. The top section is for shortcuts to create quick access to items within and outside of Microsoft Dynamics GP. The bottom section is for quick module access. The top section enables the user to click on a module and have the Microsoft Dynamics GP desktop change to show all features available to the user for the selected module.  This section further has a Home option that enables the user to display To Do lists, Quick Links, My Reports, and more on the Microsoft Dynamics GP desktop.  Customizing your Microsoft Dynamics GP Navigation Pane can be quite simple following the below actions.

Opening a shortcut from the Navigation Pane:

To open a shortcut from the Navigation Pane, either click on the shortcut from the Navigation Pane or right click on the shortcut in the Navigation Pane and select the Open option.

Adding a new shortcut to the Navigation Pane:

To add a new shortcut to the Navigation Pane, right click anywhere in the Navigation Pane and select the Add option.

Select the item to which you would like to add.  The options available are:  Add Window, Add SmartList, Add Macro, Add Web Page, Add External Shortcut, or Add Folder.  A definition of each of the items are defined below along with the appropriate instructions to add the item.

Add Window

The add window option allows the user to add any Microsoft Dynamics GP window as a shortcut to the Navigation Pane to make quick access to that particular function.  When you select the Add Window option, you will be provided with a list of products available within Microsoft Dynamics GP.

Each product can be expanded by clicking the + sign next to the product to show the modules available within the product.  The modules can further be expanded by clicking the + next to the module to show the functions available within the module.

Once the desired function for the shortcut is found, select the function.  When the function is selected, the Name and Window will be automatically filled out for the function.  The Name can be changed based on what the user would like to call the shortcut.

A keyboard shortcut can also be selected to make accessing the shortcut even faster.  This is accomplished by clicking the dropdown arrow next to the Keyboard Shortcut option and selecting the preferred keyboard combination to open the shortcut.

Click the Add button to add the short to the Navigation Pane.

Click the Done button to close the widow.

Add SmartList

The add SmartList option allows the user to add any SmartList as a shortcut to the Navigation Pane to make quick access to a SmartList.  When you select the Add SmartList option, you will be provided with a list of available SmartLists within Microsoft Dynamics GP.

Similar to the Add Window feature, you can expand the SmartList modules by clicking the + next to the module and selecting the desired SmartList to create a shortcut for.  This will automatically populate the Name and SmartList Favorite fields.  The Name can be changed based on what the user would like to call the shortcut.

A keyboard shortcut can also be selected to make accessing the shortcut even faster. This is accomplished by clicking the dropdown arrow next to the Keyboard Shortcut option and selecting the preferred keyboard combination to open the shortcut.

Click the Add button to add the short to the Navigation Pane.

Click the Done button to close the widow.

Add Macro

The add Macro option allows the user to add any Macro as a shortcut to the Navigation Pane to make running the Macro more simple.  When you select the Add Macro option, enter the Name of the Macro shortcut the user would like for the Macro.  Click the Browse button to search for the created Macro file.  Locate and select the Macro file.

A keyboard shortcut can also be selected to make accessing the shortcut even faster. This is accomplished by clicking the dropdown arrow next to the Keyboard Shortcut option and selecting the preferred keyboard combination to open the shortcut.

Click the Add button to add the short to the Navigation Pane.

Click the Done button to close the widow.

Add Web Page

The add a Web Page option allows the user to add any Web Page as a shortcut to the Navigation Pane to open the desired web page.  When you select the Add Web Page option, enter the Name for the Web Page shortcut followed by the web address.

Click the Test button to validate the shortcut and the web page.

A keyboard shortcut can also be selected to make accessing the shortcut even faster.  .  This is accomplished by clicking the dropdown arrow next to the Keyboard Shortcut option and selecting the preferred keyboard combination to open the shortcut.

Click the Add button to add the short to the Navigation Pane.

Click the Done button to close the widow.

Add External Shortcut

The add External Shortcut option allows the user to add a link to start any external software from within Microsoft Dynamics GP as a shortcut to the Navigation Pane to open the desired application.  When you select the Add External Shortcut option, enter the Name for the shortcut.  Click the Browse button to search for the launch file for the external application.  Locate and select the application launch file.

A keyboard shortcut can also be selected to make accessing the shortcut even faster. This is accomplished by clicking the dropdown arrow next to the Keyboard Shortcut option and selecting the preferred keyboard combination to open the shortcut.

Click the Add button to add the short to the Navigation Pane.

Click the Done button to close the widow.

Add Folder

The add Folder option allows the user to add sub folders to the Navigation Pane. The user can then move shortcut items underneath the folder to organize the Navigation Pane as desired. When this option is selected, a new folder will be created with the name of New Folder. The folder then can be renamed as desired.

Cut, Copy, and Paste a shortcut from the Navigation Pane:

To cut, copy, and paste a shortcut from the Navigation Pane, right click on the shortcut from the Navigation Pane and select the Cut or Copy option, then right click in the Navigation Pane or under a Navigation Pane folder and click on the Paste option.

Delete a shortcut from the Navigation Pane:

To delete a shortcut from the Navigation Pane, right click on the shortcut in the Navigation Pane and select the delete option.

Rename a shortcut on the Navigation Pane:

To rename a shortcut from the Navigation Pane, right click on the shortcut in the Navigation Pane and select the rename option.  Rename the option to the desired name.

Changing Navigation Pane Options

To modify the order of the modules in the bottom section of the Navigation Pane, right click on the Navigation Pane and select Navigation Pane options.  This will allows the user to perform three separate functions:  Change the module display order, reset to the default Modules, or hide or unhide modules from the Navigation Pane.

To change the module display order, select the module to move and click the Move Up or Move Down option.  To reset to the default Modules, click the Reset button.  To hide or unhide modules on the Navigation Pane click the checkbox next to each module.  A checked item will be displayed and an uncheck item will be hidden.

Modify Shortcut Properties

To modify shortcut properties, right click on the shortcut to modify and select Shortcut Properties.  Make the appropriate modifications and then click Ok or Cancel.

The Microsoft Dynamics GP Navigation Pane is a valuable tool that can improve efficiencies in the user’s day to day tasks and can be customized based upon the user’s function.  The Navigation Pane is highly customizable for each user.

Still Stuck? Call KTL Solutions.

KTL Solutions is a Microsoft partner specializing in customizing solutions that suit the needs of your company. If your software isn’t working for you- get in touch with us today. We’ll be able to help you with all of your customization needs.

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