If you have to write SQL commands or complicated Crystal formulas, it helps to have a good text editor. My favorite is NotePad++. Not only is it free, but it can do many helpful things beyond what Notepad can do:

• Number each line.
• Highlight the corresponding paren/bracket whenever you select a paren/bracket
• Highlight all the instances of any word that you select
• Record keystroke macros to automatically repeat a series of commands
• Select a vertical strip of characters from within of a larger block of text (called “column mode”). (e.g. highlight the 5th and 6th characters in all rows at once)
• Find all of the differences between two text blocks or two lists, using the “compare” plugin.
• “Fold” (collapse and expand) sections between parentheses or keywords

It can even format the code for 80 different programming languages, including SQL, showing reserved words and comments in different colors. Within a week I will have a UDL (User Defined Language) for Crystal Reports formula syntax. That will allow NotePadd++ to format a Crystal formula to look the same as it would in Crystal, with the comments in green and the functions in blue.

If you want to try out NotePad++ the best place to get it is through Ninite.com.  I have written about Ninite before. The advantage of Ninite is that it lets you select multiple items from a list of 80+ freeware apps. Then it gives you a tiny exe that installs all the applications you chose (and nothing else) with one click. No questions, no toolbars no ‘bonus’ apps.  It is one of the few places left where you can get freeware without junk.