Macros

You can configure CDM to generate output to Excel or PowerPoint that contains macros.

Users with appropriate permissions must first create the macros in Administration by defining a name, a description, a target (Excel or PowerPoint and the content). When generating a report to Excel or Powerpoint, a user with appropriate permissions is able to select a number of macros that will be inserted in the final output. The list of macros that can be selected for a particular generation is filtered based on the macros target. The selection is similar to choosing Custom Groups. The generated report contains the selected macros in separate modules for each macro. The modules have the macros names from CDM. When generating a report, the all processes window differentiates a macro generation from a regular generation. If, at generation time, an empty macro is selected for insertion, a warning prompt is displayed when opening the generation from CDM (similar to refresh errors).

You can work with macros if you have the Manage Macros permission.

Add a Macro

To add a macro that can be included with generated Excel or PowerPoint output, take the following steps:

1. In CDM, navigate to File > Administration > Resources > Macros. The Macros tab opens in the work area.
2. Click Home > Add > Add Macro.
3. Enter a name for the macro. The name must be unique and limited to 31 characters. It must begin with a letter and, except for underscores, contain no other non-alphanumerical characters.
4. Select if the target for the macro is Excel or PowerPoint output.
5. Specify a description for the macro if you want. A maximum of 256 characters is allowed.
6. Click OK.
7. Enter the macro content.
8. Click Save. The macro is added to the Macros table in the work area.

Edit a Macro

If necessary, you can edit the name or description of a macro for use in generating a report containing macros.

1. From the macro list in the work area, select the macro you want to edit.
2. Click Home > Edit.
3. Make your changes to the macro, then click Save.

Delete a Macro

1. From the macro list in the work area, select the macro you want to delete.
2. Click Home > Delete.
3. In the confirmation message that opens, click Yes. This permanently deletes the macro and removes it from list.