Method Community

Charles emailed in with the following question:

Hi

I recently signed up with method remote entry edition and am looking for the ability to have several custom estimates to select from at the create new estimate screen. I am able to create the different estimates using the report creator and now would like something like a dropdown menu to select a different estimate depending on which type of job i am quoting. I looked through the forums but couldn't really find a specific answer. 

Thanks

Hello,

Although creating drop-downs in Method Remote Entry edition is technically not possible due to the fact that creating a drop-down actually creates a new table, in this particular scenario, you're in the clear, as Method already comes with a ReportMethod table which lists the existing reports.

Essentially what you have to do is first create a drop down in a customized screen based on the "Estimate" screen, that pulls values from the ReportMethod (list of reports) table with a filter that only shows those values with the word "estimate" in it.

Lastly you would create a button (or modify the existing "print / preview" button) that would print the report as opposed to the default table.

Hope this helps.

Regards,
Denis

Here's my 2 cents.

In addition to Denis' option and depending on how many templates you have, you can simply add a button for each template.

Anonymous:

Essentially what you have to do is first create a drop down in a customized screen based on the "Estimate" screen, that pulls values from the ReportMethod (list of reports) table with a filter that only shows those values with the word "estimate" in it.

Lastly you would create a button (or modify the existing "print / preview" button) that would print the report as opposed to the default table.

I am trying to do this same thing, create templates for my estimates. I followed these instructions and I was able to create the dropdown and reference the ReportMethod table. What I am having trouble with is the action and/or button. When I select a template from the dropdown, I want it to fill the data into the screen. Then I want to be able to edit the estimate for final touches, add the customer, etc., and then save it as a new estimate for that customer. Then I would print or email it from that point. What dropbox actions and/or button(s) do I need to add to make this happen?

Hi joshtodd,

joshtodd:

When I select a template from the dropdown, I want it to fill the data into the screen. Then I want to be able to edit the estimate for final touches, add the customer, etc., and then save it as a new estimate for that customer.

Or are you having trouble getting the correct template to print?

- Ashur

When I say "template" that might be the wrong term. I don't mean the templates for estimates that are used to print them out, I have no problem customizing those.

What I would like to do is save a pre-filled selection of job items and descriptions into an estimate, so that I would not have to recreate a similar estimate over and over again for each customer. I have previously used Memorized Transactions in Quickbooks to do this, but I was hoping it would be possible in Method. So far the problem I am running into is that you cannot save default info into grid fields that aren't read-only.

What do you think?

That's correct. Also, this isn't something that is feasible as there are certain actions performed when the Item Dropdown list is clicked, so inserting your own value into that field won't work. Plus if you managed to come up with a work around for this all of your estimates would show the exact same items and if someone needed different items you would still have to manually change them.

- Ashur

My plan was to create 5-10 separate screens. One for each pre-filled estimate.