Dynamics GP SmartList – System Preferences and SmartList Options

May 19, 2021

Dynamics GP SmartList – System Preferences and SmartList Options

This month’s tip will help you with System level settings that can improve SmartList. You will learn how to change the default SmartList Visibility, and how to update Dynamics GP SmartList Options for Maximum Records, Password, and Default Columns. These changes affect all users in ALL companies!


Administration > Setup > System > System Preferences

(I had trouble finding this at first. I assumed it would be under “SmartList Options”…but it is not)



System Preferences


What Does This Change Do?

When you save a new SmartList Favorite, it will change the default “Visible To”



A computer screen shows the add or remove favorites window


Why does it seem to not work?

When you click on an existing SmartList Favorite, the Visible To option will show from that existing Favorite. You are essentially clicking “Save As” so it defaults to that existing Favorite’s settings.



A computer screen shows the add or remove favorites window

Note: GP2016 R2 added Password Protect at the system level: Administration > Setup > System > SmartList Options

GP2018 added the ability to Password Protect individual SmartList Favorites as shown above.



Reasons for Making Your Dynamics GP SmartLists Visible to “User ID”

  1. This will keep your list of SmartList Favorites clean!
  2. We often work with clients that have hundreds of SmartList Favorites that have been created over time.
  3. Having hundreds of old wacky SmartLists makes finding the important ones nearly impossible.
  4. If your SmartList is just visible to your User ID, no one else can edit or delete it!
  5. If you want to share later, you can always click on Favorites > Change the Visible To option > Modify.
  6. If you want to give other people a copy of your SmartList Favorite, change the Visible to. Then, click Favorites > Type in a New Name (I suggest adding your name or initials to the end of the name) > Add > Add Favorite.
  7. When you make the Visible To equal “User ID”, the SmartList Favorite is automatically added to your My Reports!



A computer screen is open to a page that says ' testing dynamic html '


Changing SmartList Options

The SmartList Options window allows you to change the default Columns, Maximum Records, Search Defaults, and Password to Modify.


The Search Defaults affect ALL SmartLists in ALL Companies. This password is the default, remember that individual SmartLists can have their own passwords.


Note: We do not recommend making the Maximum Records a giant number on all SmartLists. This can affect your system performance.


The Maximum Records and Columns can be set on each SmartList Favorite. This change is what will show when you click on the Folder Name or Favorite * of each SmartList Option vs. clicking on a Favorite.



A computer screen that says these changes affect all users in all companies


If you have a Microsoft Dynamics GP question or unresolved issues, we will either find a solution or let you know where you can turn to get your problems resolved. 


Contact Dexpro Dynamics at 312-801-5070 or info@dexprodynamics.com.


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