Cannot connect to an Excel file 1

[willyboy58]

I have an Excel file that I want to connect to so I can create a crosstab report. I have inserted column headings into the first row of the excel file.

In CR I click New, in the gallery I select Crosstab, and in the expert I select Database. The Data Explorer opens. I select ODBC, “Create New Data Source”, Add, and then “File Data Source (Machine Indpendent), (note: this is on my home machine and I am the only one on it). I then select my Excel driver, I browse to and select the Excel file I want to connect to. A box tells me that when I click Finish I will create the data source that I have configured. There are three lines in this box: “File Data source. Filename: C\CrystalReportsCreated\SB52ALLcrosstab.xls. Driver: Microsoft Excel Driver”.

When I select Finish, the ODBC Microsoft Excel Setup box appears. I select the workbook desired and select OK. The Data Explorer opens up and the data source “sb52crosstab” appears in the data explorer with a little plug attached to it. But the Add button is grayed out. When I double click “sb52crosstab”, it says “no items found”.

What am I doing wrong? Why am I not connecting?

Also, how do I remove old data sources from the Data Explorer? I have created a bit of junk trying to get this to work.

TIA

Bill

 

[pelajhia]

I have had trouble connecting to excel files, too, so to get around it I just imported the file into access. Don't know if you have access, but if no one comes up with a good answer for your problem, perhaps this alternative will help.

 

[financeanalyst]

hallo
In the tools section of Excel doesnt it have crystal reports wizard that helps you to show the fields to be taken to crystal reports

 

[willyboy58]

financeanalyst

Using the Excel/CR wizard is what I eventually did.

Thanks for the reply

 

[IdoMillet]

Sounds like you missed the step where you must NAME the RANGE inside the Excel file.

The Named Ranges then act as Tables as far as Crystal is concerned.

Cheers,
- Ido


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

http://www.MilletSoftware.com

 

[pelajhia]

Very cool Ido; I did not know the report wizard was there.

 

[pelajhia]

Whoops; think I gave kudos to not enough folks as willyboy and financeanalyst also pointed out wizard.