Sage 50 Custom Reports: Create and Use Custom Reports

Sage 50 offers a range of standard reports to track financial transactions, sales, expenses, customers, vendors, and inventory. However, predefined reports may not present the exact information your business needs. Sage 50 custom reports let you select relevant fields, apply filters, organize data, and adjust the report layout to create more useful insights.

You can customize an existing report rather than pulling data from several sources to create one. Custom reports in Sage 50 help you focus on the data that matters to you, streamline financial reporting, compare finances with other businesses, and create reports for regular use. In this guide, we’ll cover how to customize Sage 50 reports, add or remove columns, filter and organize report data, save custom reports, and print or export them.

What Are Custom Reports in Sage 50?

Sage 50 Custom reports are personalized financial or operational reports that you can modify, save, and reuse according to your business requirements. Unlike standard reports with predefined layouts, custom reports let you adjust the presentation and data selection. You can change report layouts, add or remove columns, select specific fields, apply filters, and sort information to focus on the important data.

You can customize a customer report to go over the balances and invoicing details, or you can set up a sales report for a particular product, customer, quantities sold, or sales amounts. Once you set up the report, you are able to save that version of the report and reuse it the next time that you need that type of information.

What Can You Do With Sage 50 Custom Reports?

With Sage 50 custom reports, you can select fields and filters, sort fields, create custom layouts, save layouts as templates, include logos from compatible brands, and export reports to other programs.

• Add, remove, or reorder fields such as account IDs, descriptions, and balances.
• Filter data by dates, accounts, customers, vendors, or other criteria.
• Sort and organize records for easier analysis.
• Save custom layouts with unique names for reuse.
• Adjust fonts, alignment, and page orientation where supported.
• Add company logos and branding elements where available.
• Export reports to Excel or other supported formats.

Read Also: How to visualize Sage 50 report data in Power BI

What are the Steps to Create a Custom Report in Sage 50?

To create a custom report in Sage 50, you open Reports & Forms, choose a similar report from the Reports view, change the available fields, filters, sorting, and layout as desired, view the result of the report, and save it with a unique name. Here are the detailed steps to create a custom report in Sage 50.

Step 1: Choose and Open a Base Report

Start with a standard report that already contains most of the information you need. Here’s how to access the report you want to customize:

• Open Reports & Forms from the Sage 50 main window.
• Select the relevant report category, such as Customers & Sales or General Ledger.
• Select the report that best matches your requirements.
• Choose Modify or another available customization option. Some Sage 50 editions also provide Design for more advanced report customization.

Step 2: Modify the Report Fields and Layout

Customize the available report options to display the information required for your analysis. Use the available options for Sage 50 report customization:

• Add, remove, or reorder available columns.
• Select the fields relevant to your reporting needs.
• Apply available filters for dates, accounts, customers, vendors, or other criteria.
• Change sorting or grouping options where supported.
• Adjust available fonts, alignment, column sizes, and other layout settings.
• Remove unnecessary information to keep the report focused.

Step 3: Review the Custom Report

Review the report before saving it to confirm that the selected criteria produce the expected results. Use these checks to validate the report:

• Confirm the reporting period.
• Verify the applied filters.
• Check that the required columns appear correctly.
• Review totals and subtotals where applicable.
• Make sure the layout remains easy to read.

Step 4: Save Your Custom Report

Save the customized report with a unique name so you can reuse its configuration without modifying the original standard report. Follow these steps to save the customized report:

• Select the available Save or Save As option.
• Enter a unique Report Name.
• Add a description if the option is available.
• Save the customized report.
• Confirm that it appears in the appropriate report list.

Read Also: How to Email Sage reports through Office 365/Outlook

Steps to Customize an Existing Sage 50 Report

For Sage 50 report customization, you can change the report criteria, columns, sorting, filters, and formatting options. Sage 50 includes the ability to save the report settings as a template for future use, so you do not have to rebuild the report every time you want to use it. The available choices will vary depending on the report and the edition of Sage 50 being used.

Step 1: Open the Report and Modify Its Basic Settings

Start by opening the report that contains most of the information you need. Here’s how to modify the report settings:

• Open Reports & Forms and select the required report category.
• Highlight the report you want to customize.
• Select Options or use Modify and then open Options, depending on your Sage 50 interface.
• Change the available date range or reporting period, sorting order, summarization, and filters.
• Click OK to apply the changes.

Step 2: Customize the Report Columns

Select the fields that provide the information you need and remove unnecessary columns. Use the column settings to make these changes:

• Select or clear the Show option for available fields.
• Add or remove supported columns.
• Change the column order where the report allows it.
• Resize columns by dragging the boundaries between column headers.
• Keep only the fields relevant to your analysis.

Step 3: Apply Filters and Sort the Data

Filters help you narrow the report to the records relevant to your analysis, while sorting determines how Sage 50 organizes the results. Here’s how to refine the report data:

• Select the available Filter Report option when the report supports filtering.
• Choose the fields you want to filter.
• Set the matching criteria and values.
• Apply AND or OR conditions when multiple filters are available.
• Select the appropriate sorting order for the report.

Step 4: Adjust the Report’s Appearance

After organizing the data, adjust the available presentation settings to make the report easier to read and print. Use the available formatting options to:

• Change font type, size, color, or effects.
• Adjust column widths.
• Modify report headings where supported.
• Change print settings when required.
• Adjust page presentation according to the available options.

Read Also: How to print or share a custom report

Step 5: Review the Customized Report

Run or preview the report to verify that your changes produce the expected results before saving the configuration. Check these elements before saving:

• Confirm the reporting period.
• Verify the applied filters.
• Make sure the required columns appear.
• Check the sorting order.
• Review totals and other report values.
• Confirm that the layout remains readable.

Step 6: Save the Customized Report

Save your customized settings as a report template so you can recall the same configuration when you need it again. Follow these steps to save the customized report:

• Open the report’s options window.
• Make your required customizations.
• Select Save Template.
• Enter a name for the report template.
• Optionally add it to a report group or make it available to other users, where those options are supported.
• Click Save

How to Use Sage 50 Report Designer?

With Sage50 Report Designer, you can edit other supported reports and layouts by inserting data fields, expressions, text, images, and other design elements, and you have control over the formatting and structure of your report. Listed below are the steps to use Sage 50 Report Designer.

Step 1: Open and Navigate Report Designer

Start with an existing report or layout that closely matches your requirements. Here’s how to open and navigate the Report Designer workspace:

• Open the relevant Reports or Layouts area in Sage 50.
• Select the report or layout you want to customize.
• Click Edit to open it in Report Designer.
• Use Report Explorer to view the report’s sections and objects, including hidden items.
• Use the Properties pane to view or change settings for the selected object.
• Open the Toolbox when you need to add or format report elements.

Step 2: Add Data Fields to the Report

Data fields, also called variables, pull information from your Sage 50 data into the report. Follow these steps to add a data field:

• Open Toolbox and select Add Data Field.
• Click the area where you want the field to appear.
• Select the relevant data table.
• Choose the required field and select OK.
• Move or resize the field as needed.
• Double-click the field if you need to modify its variable or expression.

Step 3: Add Text, Images, and Other Elements

Use the design tools to improve the report’s structure and presentation. Use the available Toolbox options to:

• Add text boxes for headings or explanatory information.
• Insert company logos or other images.
• Add lines and boxes to separate report sections.
• Move and resize objects to improve the layout.
• Adjust font, size, alignment, and other supported text properties.

Step 4: Create Expressions and Calculations

Expressions let Report Designer calculate or display values derived from your Sage 50 data. Here’s how to add an expression:

• Select Toolbox > Add Expression.
• Click the area where you want the expression to appear.
• Build the expression using the required variables, functions, and operators.
• Select OK to add it to the report.
• Preview the result and adjust the expression if necessary.

Step 5: Organize and Format the Report

After adding the required information, arrange the report so users can read and interpret it easily. Use the available formatting controls to:

• Position and resize data fields.
• Align text and report objects.
• Adjust font styles and sizes.
• Format headings and labels.
• Organize information within the appropriate report sections.
• Review hidden or existing objects through Report Explorer.

Step 6: Review the Customized Report

Preview the report before saving it to confirm that the fields, expressions, and layout produce the expected output. Check these elements before saving:

• Data fields display the expected information.
• Expressions return the correct values.
• Headings and labels appear in the right locations.
• Objects remain aligned within the page.
• Text and images fit the available space.
• The report presents information clearly.

Step 7: Save the Customized Report as a New Copy

When you are editing a standard report, always save the edited version as a new report instead of saving over the original. Sage specifically suggests using Save As for an amended standard report. Follow these steps to save your customized report:

• Open Report > Report Properties.
• Enter a new Report Name and description if required.
• Select File > Save As.
• Enter a new file name.
• Select Save.
• Choose File > Exit when you finish

How to Customize Sage 50 Report Layouts

Sage 50 Report Designer lets you customize supported report layouts by adjusting data fields, sections, text, images, expressions, fonts, alignment, and other available design elements. Here’s how to customize a Sage 50 report layout:

• Open the relevant report or layout and select Edit to launch Report Designer.
• Use Report Explorer to locate the section or object you want to change.
• Select an existing data field, text box, image, or other object to modify its properties.
• Open the Toolbox to add supported data fields, text, images, lines, boxes, or expressions.
• Move or resize objects to position them correctly within the report.
• Adjust available font, size, alignment, and formatting properties.
• Modify headings, labels, or other report elements where supported.
• Use Preview to check the final appearance before saving your changes.

Note: Sage 50 does not provide identical Report Designer controls for every report or layout. The available fields, sections, expressions, and formatting options depend on the specific Sage 50 product, version, and document you are editing.

How to Save a Custom Report in Sage 50

Save your customized Sage 50 report as a separate copy to preserve the original and reuse your customized version later. Follow these steps to save your customized Sage 50 report:

• Review the customized report and confirm that its fields, expressions, formatting, and layout are correct.
• Open Report > Report Properties if you need to update the report name or description.
• Select File > Save As in Report Designer.
• Enter a unique name for the customized report.
• Select the appropriate location when prompted.
• Click Save to store the customized version.
• Select File > Exit after confirming that your changes are saved.

How to Export a Custom Sage 50 Report

To export this custom Sage 50 report from the Report Viewer, you simply click on Export, select a location and format for the file, enter a filename, and save the report. Sage 50 also gives you an Open in Excel option on reports that support Excel exporting.

Step 1: Generate Your Custom Report

Generate the report with the columns, filters, sorting, and other criteria you need before exporting it. Here’s how to prepare the report for export:

• Open the relevant report from the Report Centre.
• Click Modify this report if you need to change its criteria.
• Adjust the available columns, filters, sorting, dates, or other report options.
• Save the configuration as a template in My Reports if you plan to reuse it.
• Click OK to display the customized report.

Step 2: Open the Export Options

Once Sage 50 displays the customized report, use the Report Viewer toolbar to access its export controls. Follow these steps to start the export:

• Review the generated report.
• Click Export on the Report Viewer toolbar.
• Select the location where you want to save the file.
• Enter a suitable filename.
• Choose the required file format from Save as type.

Step 3: Save the Exported Report

Choose a descriptive filename and an appropriate format based on how you plan to use the exported data. Complete the export with these steps:

• Check the selected save location.
• Confirm the filename.
• Verify the selected file type.
• Click Save.
• Open the exported file to confirm that the report contains the expected information.

Step 4: Open the Report Directly in Excel

If you want to continue analyzing the report in a spreadsheet, Sage 50 provides an Open in Excel option on the Report Viewer toolbar for supported reports. Use Excel when you need to:

• Perform additional calculations.
• Create charts or visualizations.
• Analyze exported figures outside Sage 50.
• Share report data with users who work primarily in Excel.
• Apply spreadsheet-specific formatting or analysis

Common Sage 50 Custom Report Problems

Sage 50 custom report problems usually occur because of incorrect filters, date ranges, unavailable fields, saved report criteria, layout settings, or export limitations, so reviewing these settings can quickly identify and resolve the issue.

• Incorrect or Missing Data
• Required Columns Are Unavailable
• Filters Return Unexpected Results
• Custom Layout Looks Misaligned
• Saved Report Shows Old Criteria
• Changes to Standard Reports Are Not Saved
• Exported Report Looks Different
• Report Designer Changes Do Not Work as Expected
• Sage 50 Payroll Crashes When Running Reports

Sage 50 Custom Reports vs. Standard Reports

Sage 50 standard reports provide predefined, consistent information for common accounting tasks, while custom reports let you tailor available fields, filters, sorting, and layouts to specific reporting and business analysis needs. Here are the differences between Sage 50 custom reports and standard reports.

Factor	Standard Reports	Custom Reports
Availability	Come as pre-built reports and are ready to use.	Start with an existing report or supported template and modify it.
Purpose	Handle common accounting and financial reporting needs.	Address specific reporting, analysis, or workflow requirements.
Columns and Fields	Use the fields provided by the standard report.	Add, remove, or rearrange available fields where supported.
Filters and Criteria	Use the filtering and criteria options available for the standard report.	Apply available filters, date ranges, and other criteria to focus the report.
Sorting	Follow the sorting options provided by the report.	Change the sorting or grouping where supported.
Layout	Follow the predefined report structure.	Modify supported layout, formatting, and presentation elements.
Original Report	The standard version remains unchanged.	Save the customized version separately when the workflow requires a new report or template.
Consistency	Provides a consistent format for recurring accounting and financial reporting.	Produces a tailored format that focuses on the information a specific team or business process needs.
Best Use	Routine reports such as financial statements, tax-related reports, and other common accounting views.	Management analysis, operational reporting, customer-specific analysis, and other business-specific requirements.

Conclusion

To create a custom report in Sage 50, you can select a report, adjust which columns and filters are active, set sorting and layout options, make any advanced adjustments supported by being in Report Designer mode, and save this report configuration for re-use. Always verify that a tailored report is showing the right information by checking the filters it applies, the dates it covers, the columns requested, the calculations performed, and the results it generates before you trust its results. As your needs for accounts and reports change, regularly review your saved reports.

Frequently Asked Questions