A parameter that browses...it has to be simple, but... 1

[sayerjoe]

This may seem simple and I've done it with other products, but I just can't figure it out with Crystal.

Here goes: I want create a parameter that will refresh the default values (browse for data in the field in the database) each time the report is refreshed. New data is added to this database all the time and I want the parameter to offer the user an up-to-date list when they run the report.

All I've figured out so far is how to set the default values as a static list.

{?ID} = {NAMES.ID}
"ID" is the parameter and I want it to browse updated data in the field "NAMES.ID" every time the report is run.

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks,
Joe

 

[synapsevampire]

You've come across a MAJOR pitfall with Crystal, they can't dynamically update a parameter.

This requires external code, bloody annoying, isn't it?

-k

http://www.informeddatadecisions.com

kai@informeddatadecisions.com

 

[sayerjoe]

Thanks for the info.

I thought the lack of cascading parameters was the MAJOR pitfall...maybe that's the CAPTAIN pitfall and this is the MAJOR one? Sorry, couldn't resist...I'm so frustrated with this tool. Oof!

I really appreciate your help though.

 

[synapsevampire]

Yeah, they really suck when it comes to parameters, and in my last extended phone conversation about them, they stated that they had no current requirements to handle parameters any more intelligently in the future...

-k

http://www.informeddatadecisions.com

kai@informeddatadecisions.com

 

[dgillz]

check out

http://www.milletsoftware.com.

Ido is a very good contributor to this forum and he has a solution to this dilemna - DataLink Viewer - which links parameter fields to live data.

I have not tested it but I have used some of his pother products and I believe this will be just as solid.

Software Training and Support for Macola, Crystal Reports and Goldmine
251-621-8972
dgilsdorf@mchsi.com

 

[synapsevampire]

Good point, dgillz, and you're right, Ido's stuff is first rate.

If you're going to consider external code, you might also keep in mind that you can set parms from VB, CSP, etc., so there's nothing that prevents you from handling parms externally, I was addressing parms from within CR, which is poorly conceived and implemented.

-k

http://www.informeddatadecisions.com

kai@informeddatadecisions.com

 

[IdoMillet]

Thanks for the kind words... )

Yes, DataLink Viewer:

http://www.milletsoftware.com/DataLink_Viewer.htm

does both Dynamic and "cascading" parameters.

You just need to create a crystal report as the source for each parameter you want to make dynamic.

A diagram showing how the cascading functionality is achieved is available at:

http://www.milletsoftware.com/Linked Hierarchy of Paramaters.htm

Cheers,
- Ido CUT, Visual CUT, and DataLink Viewer:
view, e-mail, export, burst, distribute, and schedule Crystal Reports.

http://www.MilletSoftware.com

 

[jenschmidt]

Thanks so much for the info! We are currently trying to decide whether to even use defaulted data in the parameter fields - this discussion helped quite a bit. I was wondering how the DataLilnk Viewer responds to reports via the internet - does it still refresh the default values appropriately?

 

[IdoMillet]

DataLink Viewer is an application that you run on your PC to view Crystal Reports. It is not a web server component so it can't respond to web browser requests.

Cheers,
- Ido
CUT, Visual CUT, and DataLink Viewer:
view, e-mail, export, burst, distribute, and schedule Crystal Reports.

http://www.MilletSoftware.com

 

[mgkSHA]

Is this Crystal report used within VB? If not, the above advice is the only solution I can think of. If this Crystal report is used within VB, you can populate the parameters at run-time in the CRViewer Form. You will have to use an ADO (OLEDB or ODBC)connection source, but that is standard for VB applications anyway, although DAO is still used.

If you are using these reports within VB let me know, I can post some code to get you started.

 

[sayerjoe]

Thanks. The empathy and the technical advice has been great!
Actually, I just downloaded VB 6 from our corporate software distribution center. So yes, I do plan to create a "front end" for this and my future crystal reports through VB.

I'm connecting via ODBC, so your stuff should work. Feel free to post away! I'm all ready to copy and paste (and take credit with my local managment of course...