Several recent projects have had me creating and automating data processes using Crystal Reports and some related tools.   One key tool is the ODBC Export provided by Crystal Reports.  To a Crystal user ODBC is normally used to pull data out of the database.  But the ODBC export option allows you to export the report data back into an ODBC connection and create a new table in your database.  This may sound dangerous, but Crystal does not allow the export to take place if that table name already exists in the database.  This prevents you from accidentally damaging your data.

But in working with  a customer recently I found a pretty serious bug in this export.  I wanted to add a new calculated column to a table so I Continue Reading »
Exports to ODBC and null dates

Autosave is a nice feature that has been around since v8.5.  So you may wonder why have I never mentioned it before?  I think it is because I started using CR before the autosave was introduced.  So I learned to save from experience.  Now have a solid habit of saving early and often, usually after any major change and before I refresh a new version of a report.  So when a customer complained that he couldn’t find the autosave files I had to turn the feature on for the first time, just to see how it worked.  I found three things that might confuse a user:

1) Once you exit Crystal Reports Continue Reading »
Using Autosave in Crystal Reports

There are lots of things that can only be done effectively with a mouse.  But I started using computers before they came with a mouse so naturally I do as much as possible without taking my fingers off the keys.  That is why I love shortcut keys and mnemonics.  Just about everyone knows Ctrl-C for copy and Ctrl-V for paste, but there are plenty of others.  There are even some that are unique to Crystal Reports, although they aren’t always easy to find.  Here are three ways to find the available shortcut keys in Crystal Reports:

1) Click a word like “Edit” on the main menu. The menu drop-down will show you any available key shortcuts on the right of each menu option.  Not all menu items have a shortcut. Continue Reading »
Shortcut Keys in Crystal Reports

I like to stay current, but it looks like I am going to have to remove CR SP3.   Ever since I installed it I have had problems saving my customer’s reports with data, which is something I have to do all the time.   It doesn’t affect reports that I create locally, but it does affect reports from most of my customers and I haven’t been able to figure out a way around the problem.  If someone else is having this problem I would be happy to compare notes.

Here is the typical scenario.  A customer sends me a report to fix and saves it with data.  I open it, make the changes and preview the changes using the saved data.  Everything so far works fine.   But when I save the modified report and I get this message:

"Additional parameter values are needed before this
report can be saved or viewed with data.
Click 'OK' to enter the missing values"

If I click ‘OK’ it tries to refresh the report, which Continue Reading »
Crystal Reports Service Pack 3 and saved data problems