Make a GREAT list – checklist for Field Formating (common things to check)

I started this post 4 months ago, but never finished it.  In doing some Builder research for another post I stumbled across a blog from another SmartList Lover, Sara Corbett.  Her post SmartList Builder Etiquette is in the same vein as this post, but, interestingly, she lists different items than I do.  Compare the two posts and comment on what you think is important for a Great list…

What is the difference between a good SmartList and a great SmartList?  In my opinion, it is often in the details – mostly the Formating details. Here is a handy checklist of common things to check:

• Field formating — press the blue arrow in the header left of Display Name to launch the field settings:
  • Note Index fields – check the box to pull the Note text
  • All Account Index fields – check the box to pull the Account Number
  • Phone & Fax numbers – select the dropdown for the Phone number formating
  • Social Security numbers – select the dropdown for Social Security formating
  • Date fields – check the box to display 1/1/1900 as a blank  (also can change the date formating, too)
  • Fields from SQL Views – make sure you turn off the $ on quantity fields and add % for percentage fields
  • Set Decimal places – especially for fields stored in GP as integers but displayed with decimals in GP (like the Shipping Weight on the Item master is stored as 100 where it is really 1.00, HR module stores most hour totals this way.)
• Field Display Names – Add field names from the setup for user defined fields. On most Maintenance (“Card”) tables (yes, you have to type these EVERY time you add these tables, sorry!)   Look for “User Defined”
• Dropdown Fields – make sure you enter values – See Drop Down Lists in SmartList Builder
• Look for fields that will appear more than one on the final list, especially fields that will have different data from the various tables.  Consider turning off the Display checkbox, or at least, changing the Display name for some fields.

Also don’t forget to add useful Go To’s!

Happy Building!
Devon