Generate MFL File
The main function of this menu is to generate empty or filtered data templates in Excel format, enrich them with additional properties, and produce output files in .csv, .pdf, and .xml formats.
Master file / Attributes
Select the Masterfile /attribute using the drop-down menus
If you select Attribute, GCON4 MFL displays the complete list of attributes previously configured in Unit4 ERP.
If you select Asset, GCON4 MFL displays the full list of related attributes.
Filtering Data
Filter the data to be retrieved from the Master File tabs using the operators supported by Unit4 ERP.
The MFL05 server process is integrated into MFL 7.0 to generate both empty and data-populated Excel templates.
The Excel file will be exported from the report results to the selected directory.
Masterfile Tabs
GCON4 MFL will display as many tabs as required for the selected master file. For example, the Supplier master file includes eight tabs. Each flexi-field group is displayed as a separate tab in GCON4 MFL.
Supplier Tab:
In this tab, you can select the supplier-related fields to be uploaded. Mandatory fields in Unit4 ERP are preselected by default in GCON4 MFL and must be included in the Excel template.
Mandatory fields are highlighted in red, while some optional fields are highlighted in blue.
You can use the scroll bar to browse additional optional fields. The generated Excel template will include only the mandatory fields and those optional fields you select.
In the example above, the Excel template will include Supplier Id, Supplier Name, Supplier Group Id, Country Code, and Language, and will exclude fields such as Head Office, Sundry, Company Registration No., and VAT Registration No.
Address Tab:
This tab allows you to select the fields related to the supplier address to be uploaded.
You can browse all available fields using the scroll bar and select any optional fields to include in the Excel template.
Relation Tab:
In this tab, you can select the fields associated with supplier relationships to be uploaded.
Note: Relations include a field called Line Number. This value will be 0 when there is only one relational value for a given master file ID and relation. If multiple values exist, the line number will increment sequentially (1, 2, 3, etc.) based on the number of relation entries.
When retrieving existing data, GCON4 MFL will include the corresponding Line Number values.
When inserting new records with multiple values per relation, you must manually specify the appropriate line number for each entry.
Flexi-fields:
Flexi-field groups for the Supplier are also included in GCON4 MFL and are displayed as separate tabs, similar to the Supplier master file.
Select the fields in each tab you want to insert/update in Unit4 ERP, and only the checked fields will be incorporated in the Excel template.
Note: GCON4 MFL uses the flexi-field group ID, rather than the description, to define the tab name in the Excel template.
For this reason, the flexi-field group ID must not be the same as the master file name, as this would result in duplicate tab names and cause an error when generating the Excel file.
Options
Protected/Unprotected workbook
If this option is selected, GCON4 MFL will generate an Excel template where only the Data section can be edited.
The workbook structure is protected with a password to prevent any modifications. Columns cannot be deleted, ensuring that the template maintains the same structure as originally generated.
Accepted Values / No Accepted values
GCON4 MFL will generate an additional tab where you can review the valid values to be entered in the Excel template.
Action buttons
Generate Excel
To generate a template, select the "Generate Excel" option. This will trigger the MFL05 server process, and the file will be saved in the folder you choose (by default it is the "downloads" folder)
Generate CSV
A comma-separated values (CSV) file for the selected master file will be generated and delivered as a .zip file.
Generate PDF
Generates a PDF document containing descriptions of the fields for the selected master file.
Save template
This option allows you to save the XML template, including its structure (filters, selected fields, and tabs), for later generation of the .xlsx file.
Load template
This option allows you to upload the XML template generated in the previous Save Template action.
Clear
Clears all fields in the Generate MFL File window.
Export
Exports de table definition to a .rerx file.
Custom XML use
MFL 7.0 includes an additional server process, MFL06, which allows you to upload custom XML files when you need to:
- Include additional mandatory fields
- Modify the display names of standard fields in GCON4 MFL
- Customize descriptive texts
- Add additional attributes for batch upload
- Other customizations
Steps to upload a custom XML
- Download the XML templates
Download the latest XML templates from the following site: MFL website
- Modify the XML file
Select the template for the desired master file (e.g., Customers) and apply the required changes. For example, you can configure the Customer Type field to be mandatory only during insertion.
Before
After
- Upload the XML file
- Copy the modified XML file into the Data Import Folder
- Go to the MFL06 Server Process 'XML upload'
Enter the XML file name, including the extension (e.g.Customer.xml)
Options
Delete checkbox not selected: Uploads the XML file and updates the Excel template structure according to the XML configuration.
Delete checkbox selected: Removes the previously uploaded custom XML, allowing you to replace it with a new version from the Data Import folder.
Execution Results
Log result with the checkbox not selected:
Log result with the checkbox selected:
Final Step
Go to Generate MFL File, select the relevant master file, and generate the Excel template. The generated file will reflect the changes defined in the XML structure.
Before
After
