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Where has my Microsoft Dynamics GP window gone?

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David Meego - Click for blog homepageThe technique I will discuss in this post is not specific for Microsoft Dynamics GP, but as this is a Microsoft Dynamics GP related blog, I will put a GP "spin" on it.

Since the user interface change from MDI (Multiple Document Interface) to SDI (Single Document Interface) for version 10.0 of GP (see Version 10.0 and its individual windows), we now have a situation that can occur when a window can open outside of the visible area of your windows desktop.

Window locations from version 10.0 onwards are measured relative to the main application window. Most windows in Dynamics GP don't specifically remember their positions and normally open a little down and to the right of the main application window's top left corner.  However, other windows can be specifically programmed to remember their size and position.

For example: The Note window remember its size and position, and so do Advanced Security and Field Level Security windows. Also the Support Debugging Tool remembers its windows' positions and size.

It is also possible to add Visual Basic for Applications (VBA) code to windows to allow them to store their location and size.  See the posts VBA - Screen Size and Position Example and Why can't I maximize my window? Also see Support Debugging Tool examples in links below.

Given the following scenario, it is possible to open the Note window beyond the edges of the desktop:

  1. Launch Microsoft Dynamics GP.
  2. If the main application window is maximized, restore it so that it can be moved around.
  3. Move the main application window to the right hand half of the screen.
  4. Open the Customer Maintenance window (Cards >> Sales >> Customer).
  5. Click on the window note button at the bottom right of the window.
  6. Move the Note window so that it is beyond the left hand edge of the main application window. Leave a couple of centimetres gap (1 inch for those of you can't understand real units).
  7. Close the Note window.
  8. Move the main application window to the left hand half of the screen, near to the left hand edge.
  9. Fine the Customer Maintenance window and click on the Window Note again.
  10. The Note window will open again in a position that is relative to the main application window.... and beyond the left hand edge of the screen.

So how can I fix this? 

Below are some GP specific solutions, however, they will only make a difference next time the window is opened and will not help with the Note window that is now hidden.

  • Move the main application window back to its original position, so when the window opens relative to the main application window it will be visible.
     
  • Many of the windows store their position and size data in the Dex.ini file as settings.  Deleting or editing the Dex.ini file can be used to restore the window next time it opens.
     
    The NoteWindow setting can be used for the Notes windows, settings starting with WDC_Win can be used for Advanced Security and Field Level Security, and the settings starting with MBS_Debug_Win can be used for the Support Debugging Tool.
     
    Note: The Support Debugging Tool also has a reset window position button in the Dex.ini Settings window.  You can also use the Support Debugging Tool's Dex.ini Configuration window to automatically remove these Dex.ini settings on login if you want to stop the windows remembering their positions.
     
  • If the VBA method has been used, you could remove or edit the settings in the SY90000 (SY_User_Object_Store) table.

Below is my preferred solution as it works with all applications and is not GP specific. This technique also works when the problem is caused because a normally dual screen computer is now running with a single screen and the application is opening on the now disconnected screen.

  1. Open the window's context menu.  This is the menu that is opened if you click in the top left corner of the window.  There are two methods you can use; Make sure the window has focus, either by asking it to open again or selecting it from the Window's Start bar. Then press Alt-Space; or find the window on the Window's Start bar and Shift-Right Click on it.
     
  2. Once the menu is open, if you can't see it press M, if you can see it, you can press M or click Move.
     
  3. Then press any arrow key (up arrow will do), this starts to move the window, BUT.... more importantly it links the window to the mouse cursor.
     
  4. Move the mouse pointer back to the desktop and the window will be visible again. Problem solved.

Note: If this fails because the window is maximized, perform step 1 again and press R for Restore, then start from step 1 again.

 

For some related window size and position posts, see the following articles:

The Alt-Space, M, Up Arrow & move mouse combination has saved my sanity many times. Hope it saves yours.... unless it is already too late!

David

24-Aug-2010: Another great tip for Windows 7. Use Windows Key + Shift + Left or Right arrow to shift a window between multiple displays.  This can be used to move a window back to the main monitor when the secondary monitor is not active.  Just select the window from the Start bar and press the keys to move the window.

09-Oct-2013: Added links to related articles.

Comments

  • Anonymous
    August 05, 2010
    Posting by Mark Polino from DynamicAccounting.net msdynamicsgp.blogspot.com/.../where-has-my-microsoft-dynamics-gp.html

  • Anonymous
    September 06, 2010
    Thanks D - needed to use this again !  Will print this one out !

  • Anonymous
    May 25, 2013
    Here I am again needing this post !  I "googled" how to fix and up came the info.  Thanks David.

  • Anonymous
    May 27, 2013
    Hi Virginia Glad we could help. David PS: I am sure you "googled" it with Bing.

  • Anonymous
    July 09, 2013
    "The Alt-Space, M, Up Arrow & move mouse combination has saved my sanity many times" Says it all... Thanks Sanjay

  • Anonymous
    April 15, 2015
    Has anyone come across an instance where any notes window in GP won't actually open? I'm getting this happen, but only for one user, and on any machine, so seems to be user specific.

    • Anonymous
      March 09, 2016
      Carl - this has happened in our environment as well (one user where the Notes window doesn't open at all) ... I ended up recreating the user in GP and that solved the issue.

  • Anonymous
    April 18, 2015
    Hi Carl Are you sure the window is not opening? Do you get any security messages? It is more likely that the window is opening off the visible screen and the keyboard combination mentioned in this post will help. Note that the latest versions of the Support Debugging Tool have a feature which will prevent windows opening outside of the visible screen. See http://aka.ms/SDT. David

  • Anonymous
    April 28, 2015
    Oldie but Goodie!  Just used this.  Thanks!

  • Anonymous
    September 23, 2015
    Is there anyway to STOP Great Plains from storing this info? The keyboard shortcut works, but we have a couple of staff members with dual monitors and some without... The contents of the dex.ini file seem to have no bearing on this. I can move the window back, but when they re-open it again it's 'gone' and has to be moved back again. Anyway to get this to work for single and dual monitored individuals? I saw the GP Tools cost $

  • Anonymous
    October 01, 2015
    Hi Lai GP Power Tools can clear the Dex.ini settings or better still can prevent windows opening outside of the visible area. GP Power Tools costs US$365 / year for a site. Don't you think a dollar a day is worth it, considering everything it does for you. winthropdc.wordpress.com/.../gppt-whats-new-series-summary-for-gp-power-tools-build-20 GPPT Portal: http://winthropdc.com/GPPT David