# Weekly Dynamic: GP, Terminal Server and Macros

- URL: https://dynamicaccounting.net/weekly-dynamic-gp-terminal-server-and-macros/
- Date: 2013-07-22
- Topics: Install, Upgrade & Admin, Development & Integration, Tips & Hidden Features
- Dynamics GP versions mentioned: GP 2013, GP 2010
- Type: original article

It’s possible, and not all that unusual, to build a long running macro in Dynamics GP. The built in macro process to import fixed assets is one example. Other times, companies find that macros allow them to avoid security hassles and data concerns by not loading directly to SQL tables. We cover how to build macros for importing data in [both the GP 2010 and GP 2013 Cookbooks](http://www.amazon.com/s/?_encoding=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&field-keywords=dynamics%20gp%20cookbook&linkCode=ur2&tag=polinofamilywebs&url=search-alias%3Daps).

It’s also not unusual do load data via a macro using Terminal Server or Citrix. There are a couple of things to be aware of though.

If you run a macro from your computer with GP installed on the computer, you are effectively typing (really fast and automatically but still typing) into GP. You won’t be able to use your computer while the macro is running. Most people get that instinctively.

With Terminal Server, you are actually running the process on a server somewhere. It’s a different computer so you should be able to use your local computer while it’s running and just keep an eye on it, but it doesn’t always work that way. This is how you make it work.

- If you run Terminal Server in full screen mode, when you minimize to move to your local machine the macro will stop. The answer is to run Terminal Server in a window, then start the macro. This will let you tab off and do other things while the macro is running. In the corner of the window is a dash, a framed box and an X. Click the framed box to pull TS out of full screen mode.
- If you run the Terminal Server session in a window, your local screen saver won’t make any difference. If the terminal server session has a screen saver you’ll want to disable it. If it kicks in it will stop the macro. I’ve seen cases where the TS screen saver is controlled by group policy and can’t reasonably be turned off. Someone has to sit there and shake the mouse every 10 minutes or so. It’s not ideal. See if you can get it disabled.

There are times when a macro makes sense and there are times when you need to use other tools like Integration Manager, SmartConnect or SQL. It’s helpful to know how to get the most out of all of the tools.

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