Creating menu's for CR 2

[willyboy58]

Once I get my reports designed and get everything going, I want to be able to access and run reports from a menu system. I have been told that the file "crystl32.ocx" can be used for this with Visual Basic.

Where do I find the above file? Is it in a DLL? I have searched on my PC and do not seem to have it.

Can VB5 Learning Edition be used to create the needed VB part? It's all I have at the moment.

Is there an easier or more efficient way to set up the menus?

TIA

Bill

 

[chelseatech]

You could use one of the 3rd party report viewers or develop one yourself. Most of the 3rd party tools are written in VB6 or VB.NET but I'm sure you could also use VB5 for development. It might be cheaper and more effective to resell a 3rd party product.

What version and edition of CR are you using? You will need CR8.5/9 Developer to get the development components. The Crystal32.OCX was the easiest way to include reports in CR6 onwards. CR7 introduced the RDC (CRAXDRT.DLL) which has a lot more control over the report objects (and needs a bit more code). CR9 no longer includes the OCX, so youa re safer to take the RDC approach.

Sample code in previous issues of Crystal Clear (a few years back- Check out the index).

Editor and Publisher of Crystal Clear

http://www.chelseatech.co.nz/pubs.htm

 

[willyboy58]

chelseatech,

I currently have 8.5. Trying to get my supervisor to go to 9.0, but not sure what version would be the best re: useage and costs.

I believe your tips on menus were in the April 01 letter. I have downloaded them and will take another look. Even though we haven't start to use CR yet, I've learned some from your letters.

I'm just getting into CR so at the moment, I am pretty naive as to what is there, what will work and what is best. You'll be reading more of me in the future.

TIA

Bill

 

[chelseatech]

If you are running CR8.5 you will need the developer edition to include the components, and developer help files. The Pro and Std editions do not include these.

I'd recommend using the RDC approach if you plan to migrate to CR9 sometime in the future.

Editor and Publisher of Crystal Clear

http://www.chelseatech.co.nz/pubs.htm

 

[synapsevampire]

Consider using the web for this.

With certain versions of CR 8.5 came a freebie companion product called Crystal Enterprise 8.0 Standard which allows for publishing and viewing reports on the web. The users can then export to a few formats too.

Works well for smaller shops as you're given 5 licenses or so.

-k