Images can be used to enhance the appearance and readability of reports. In Dynamics 365 Finance and Operations, images can come directly from the software saved to Docuref.

If necessary, images can be saved outside of Dynamics 365 FO. This article will explain how to use alternative storage options to add images to a Dynamics 365 FO report.

Examples will be provided on how to use the Lasernet Form Editor Image function to retrieve images from the alternative storage using information from the XML produced by the Lasernet Connector. In these articles, we will add product images to a sales quotation from File Storage and from Azure Storage.

Prerequisites and Best Practice

1. Create a repository of images that will follow reliable naming conventions. When using alternative storage, file names and path information will not be stored in Dynamics 365 FO. It is therefore important to apply the naming conventions used for the image files to retrieve the appropriate image. 

2. If using Azure Storage, a container needs to be created. This can be done in the Azure Portal by navigating to the correct storage account and selecting New Container.

In this case, we have product images and have named the image using the item Id, followed by the color Id, followed by the size Id.

3. Incorporate the name and path of your images into your XML. In the following examples, we will do this by using query fields and custom fields in the structure.

4. Ensure the Lasernet Server will have access to this storage.

Lasernet Connector Setup

On the Lasernet Connector side, we will add all the needed information regarding the location and name of the image to the XML.

1. Open the report in Lasernet > Common > Reports.

2. Add the table InventDim under CustQuotationTrans.

3. Add the field ItemId for the first part of the image name.

4. Add fields InventColorId, InventSizeId, and InventStyleId for the rest of the image name. Finish the query wizard.

5. Open the structure for the report. We will use the structure to add custom fields for the alternative storage path, folder, and image extension that will be used for this report. These fields can be added at the Header level of the Structure if the path will be the same for all the images in this report.

6. Run the port to generate an XML. The XML has all the components needed to find the appropriate image in the File System.

Example 1: File System Storage

Having taken the steps outlined on this page, it will now be necessary to add the actual images. For a detailed walkthrough of how to add images from the File System, see: Using File System storage options to add images to a Dynamics 365 Finance and Operations report.

Example 2: Azure Storage

For a detailed walkthrough of how to add images from Azure Storage, see: Using Azure Storage options to add images to a Dynamics 365 Finance and Operations report.