# Field Notes for GP 2013 R2 Copy/Paste to GL

- URL: https://dynamicaccounting.net/field-notes-gp-2013-r2-copypaste-gl/
- Date: 2014-07-03
- Topics: Development & Integration, General Ledger & Financials
- Dynamics GP versions mentioned: GP 2013
- Type: original article

I’m using the new R2 copy/paste functionality in GP to bring in beginning balances for someone so I thought I make a few notes on the new functionality here.

- **You don’t have to copy/paste from Excel**. This client doesn’t have Excel on the server and there are restrictions preventing copy/paste from remote machines. I copied data into notepad, saved them as text files, moved them to the server and I’m copying/pasting from there. It works just fine. You can even open a text file in a browser and copy/paste from the browser.
- **Pay attention to any reports.** The reports only pop up if there is an error. So far, the error messages have been very clear and helpful.
- **You cannot import a line with a zero amount for both debit and credit.** I think this should be an option or there should be an option to just ignore these. It’s tough to clean empty accounts from source files for things like beginning balance imports or recurring imports where you don’t control the source (like a sheet from a vendor).
- **You cannot import a negative debit or credit.** In GP if you key a negative debit, it makes the amount a credit and vice versa. Mohammed Daoud’s GL copy/paste tool does that too. The GP tool only uses positives. I’d love to see this a future option.

I’ve built and run integrations with Integration Manager, SmartConnect, SQL, Table Import, Excel + Macros, Word + Macros, Excel Paste, and now GP native GL Paste. There is still something magical about pushing a button and watching data appear. I think this functionality is long overdue and it’s going to be used a lot. The limitations are small and easily worked around. If it always seems to take MS 3 tries to get something right, I can’t imagine what this 1.0 product is going to look like in two iterations.