Hi Community,
Can you please explain what is the difference between a GI and a Report?
Solved
What is the difference between a GI and a Report?
Best answer by Naveen Boga
Hi
Generic Inquiry
- Primarily for querying and displaying data.
- Interactive.
- Can be used for dashboards and exports.
- Users can filter and sort data.
Report
- Primarily designed for formatted output.
- Better for invoices, statements, documents, and printable reports.
- Supports grouping, formatting, headers, footers, and page layouts.
+20Hi
Generic Inquiry
- Primarily for querying and displaying data.
- Interactive.
- Can be used for dashboards and exports.
- Users can filter and sort data.
Report
- Primarily designed for formatted output.
- Better for invoices, statements, documents, and printable reports.
- Supports grouping, formatting, headers, footers, and page layouts.
+7In Acumatica:
| Generic Inquiry (GI) | Report |
|---|---|
| Displays data in an interactive grid. | Produces a formatted, printable document. |
| Best for searching, filtering, sorting, grouping, and analysis. | Best for invoices, sales orders, statements, operational summaries, and other formal documents. |
| Users can drill down to related Acumatica records. | Typically provides limited interaction or drill-down. |
| Data can be exported easily to Excel. | Output is generally printed or exported to PDF/Excel. |
| Usually easier and faster to create or modify. | Requires Report Designer knowledge and more effort to develop. |
| Can be used in dashboards, side panels, and processing screens. | Provides precise control over page layout, headers, footers, grouping, and pagination. |
| Designed mainly for on-screen review and data extraction. | Designed mainly for presentation, printing, and distribution. |
In simple terms:
- Use a GI when users need to find, filter, analyze, or export data.
- Use a Report when users need a professional, consistently formatted, printable output.
For example, use a GI to review all open sales orders and filter them by customer. Use a report when you need to print or email a formatted sales order document.
Hi
Report
- A report is a formatted output used to present data.
- You run it by setting parameters and clicking Run Report.
- It can be:
• Standard reports (e.g., Sales Order Details)
• Printed forms (e.g., Pick List, Shipment Confirmation)
• Analytical reports (e.g., Balance Sheet) - Reports are mainly for viewing, printing, or sharing information in a structured layout.
Generic Inquiry (GI)
- A GI is a data query tool used to retrieve and organize data from the system.
- You define:
• Data sources and relationships
• Conditions
• Grouping and sorting
• Results - It can also be used to build dashboards and reports and supports query-based configuration.
Simple way to think about it
- GI = data retrieval and analysis
- Report = formatted presentation of that data
So typically: GI → build the dataset → Report → format and present it.
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