Crystal Reports from XML

[mwhalen]

Hi there. I'm having trouble understanding the concept of importing an XML file. I understand it's not really an import. If my friend exports a report to XML, sends me the XML file - then if I create a data source to that XML file, do I still have to create the report all over again? I guess I was expecting to see a formatted report if I just created a datasource pointing to that XML file.

I can seem to find any clarification on this and would appreciate the feedback. Thank you!

 

[rhinok]

All XML is to Crystal is another pre-defined data source. When you export a report to XML, you're really exporting the data into a format that is easily readable, especially by web-enabled applications (e-commerce, for example).

If you want to be able to open an exported report in Crystal Reports format, then the report must have been exported in Crystal Reports format. Your scenario is analogous to expecting to see a formatted report based on a .csv or .txt data source.