A long-requested feature, the ability to set global default values for Infor Lawson applications within Smart Office, was recently made available with HF 47, version 10.2.1.0.408. As an added feature, default values can also be set at the Role level, which would take precedence over global values.

Users with Portal admin access can define global values by launching the ‘Lawson Global Values’ link in the Navigator widget under Infor Lawson => Lawson Administration. Role level defaults are set in the Role Manager, accessed from a new ‘Defaults’ button on the General tab.

Lawson Global Defaults window

Default values depend on associating values with Lawson key numbers, which are in fact 2 or 3-character alphanumeric values. Key numbers are associated with form fields, with the most common key number being “01” which is generally associated with company fields. If a field has a key number, it can be seen in the field info popup (Ctrl+Alt+O) as ‘Knb’.

Due to the large number of applications developed over many years, key numbers are not guaranteed to be unique across all screens and special handling may be defined. While testing new defaults, it may be necessary to list one or more tokens to be excluded or included when evaluating a form’s default values. If no tokens are listed, the value will be applied where ever the key number is encountered.

When defining defaults, a few of the more common key numbers are listed and can be selected from a popup menu by clicking the ‘…’ button to the right of the key number field.

Key number value displayed in field info popup

Common Key number popup

One additional consideration when defining defaults is whether to allow role overrides. For example, if your organization has setup different roles to handle different groups of customers or vendors, this may be desirable. However, if a override is not allowed for a key number, you will see the message below when entering it in Role maintenance.

An attempt to override a key number not allowed

Thanks Vince for this information.