Custom Method Configuration for Auto Numbering Dialog Box

The Custom Method action allows you to call a custom DLL to provide auto numbering information. For the Vision auto numbering feature, the Custom Method must return one value of type String. You cannot use a subroutine to create this value.

This dialog box requires knowledge of Web servers and/or the development of a Microsoft .NET assembly. If you do not have development experience, contact Deltek Customer Care for assistance.

Location

To display the dialog box, complete the following steps:

1. From the Vision Navigation menu, click Configuration > General > System Settings.
2. Click the Numbering tab.
3. In the Numbering grid, select the row to which you want to add the action.
4. In the Auto Number Source field, select Custom Method.
5. In the Auto Number Format box, click the detail button.

Contents

Field	Description
Assembly	Select the name of the actual Microsoft .NET assembly or the DLL that consists of the custom method that is being invoked. All assemblies located in the AutoNumber directory under the Vision install directory are listed here. Note that assemblies or DLLs that are used for custom methods are required to be placed in the above mentioned directory. Vision does not provide the option of using an assembly that is located elsewhere.
Class	When a specific assembly is selected from the list, Vision automatically reads the assembly and loads the Class drop-down with a list of classes available in the assembly.
Method	The drop-down list for this field lists the methods (functions or subs) available in the selected class. The method that you select will be used when auto numbering conditions are met.
Arguments Drop-down	Click the drop-down arrow on a grid header to complete any of the following actions: To print grid data, click Print. When the Print Preview form displays, click File > Print to send the grid data to your default printer. To export grid data to an Excel spreadsheet, click Export to Excel. When Microsoft Excel opens, use its features to modify, print, or email the data, or to save the spreadsheet file locally. To turn on grouping for a grid, click Enable Grouping. When a field displays with the instruction: "Drag a column header here to group by that column," drag and drop column headers into this field, in the sequence that you want them to display. Not all options are available on all grids.
Arguments	The list of arguments will be automatically populated based on the Method selected. Name — This is the name of the parameter to the method. Value — This is the SQL expression, which Vision uses to determine the value of the argument at run time. Click in this field to display the SQL Expression Builder to define the values.
Test Method	This button becomes active when the Assembly, Class, and Method fields are populated. It allows you to test the custom methods you've written for auto numbering. When you click this button, Vision displays a dialog box that contains all the arguments for the method. You can only enter literal values for each of the arguments. Vision converts values to the appropriate data type at run time.