Crystal Reports migration 8.5 to 11 - SQL queries

[boed]

Hello,

We are currently running CR 8.5 and have written a lot of SQL queries using the 8.5 designer. From what we heard that wasn't in the next version of CR. Well here we are WAY behind the current version and think we should probably do something about it but we have no idea if there are any migration tools, what version of CR we would need pro or developer to migrate.

1 Are there migration tools for SQL queries built in?

2 What is the application used in the current version of CR instead of designer that does the queries?

3 Are there third party migration tools we should get or does it migrate natively without issue?

4 Will CR Pro do all that we need for SQL queries or will we need developer?

Thanks

 

[synapsevampire]

CR Pro is still required to hit SQL databases, developer was never required and is more expensive. Standard was the toy version that couldn't be used.

The Crystal Query Designer was a stopgap, I always suggested avoiding it as it was proprietary. You have a real database, use the database objects, such as Views or SPs.

You can copy and paste the queries into a Command though.

Take a look at discontinued features:

http://support.businessobjects.com/communityCS/TechnicalPapers/cr_xi_connectivity_migration.pdf

related:

http://support.businessobjects.com/communityCS/TechnicalPapers/cr_xi_designer_migration.pdf.asp

http://support.businessobjects.com/library/kbase/articles/c2018291.asp

-k

 

[Madawc]

We migrated successfully from 8.5 to 10, having used Crystal Query Designer. What we did was take the SQL code and incorporate it using the new methods 10 made possible. (Probably different again in 11).

One big advantage is that the stored procedure appears as a table called 'Command' and you can link it with other tables, which 8.5 did not allow, it had to be done inefficiently through detail-line subreports.

Madawc Williams (East Anglia, UK). Using Windows XP & Crystal 10

 

[boed]

Thanks both of you. Madawc, was it as simple as just using the migration wizard or did you have to rewrite any of your code to make it work?

 

[Madawc]

The only problem we had was one report where the links were complex and what we'd done wasn't entirely standard. I don't know about any Migration Wizard.

Madawc Williams (East Anglia, UK). Using Windows XP & Crystal 10

 

[boed]

I downloaded a trial version and although I could get a report to work using a premade query, I could not figure out how to modify the query directly/ import it to a command a modify it. I did not find the migration wizard mentioned on their web page.

 

[Madawc]

I used cut-and-paste, sometimes storing SQL code in word or notepad.

Madawc Williams (East Anglia, UK). Using Windows XP & Crystal 10

 

[boed]

OK, so where did you cut and past from and to? I don't know how to get to the section in CR11 that lets me input any sql code. All I've been able to figure out is how to run a report. I haven't found any of the SQL coding stuff. I'm still only familiar with 8.5 which had a seperate package.

If you could spell it out for me since I just don't know squat about the new interface I would apreciate it. Do I have to open a report to even get into the SQL interface? Exactly how do I do it - is it under the database tab on the main screen. The more detailed your response, the more it would help me as I'm a complete newbie to 11.

I want to be clear - I have no idea how to get to a command function in CR, what I have to open or not to get to the function, where the migration feature is, how I could cut and paste (I know CTRL C, CTRL V, but I don't know how to edit the old query in CR11 or how to create a new one in CR11).

Thanks

 

[Madawc]

In Crystal 10, Database > Database Expert. Click on 'Favourites' or whatever until you find the data source. Click on this and you should see 'Add Command' along with the tables. Click on this and you should get a box where you can type SQL commands, or paste them in.

I've also found that Crystal with SQL has a way of failing when you try to update SQL. If possible, have it all worked out in SQL ahead of time. But also use 'Save' and 'Save As' to make sure that you can start again with minimal loss if something goes wrong.

Madawc Williams (East Anglia, UK). Using Windows XP & Crystal 10

 

[boed]

Thanks -

1. Do I take it I have to have a report already open?

2. When I click on Add Command nothing happens?

3. How do I import/modify my old queries?

Thanks again.

 

[Madawc]

Yes, have a basic report open. Cut-and-paste works: I'm not aware of any other method.

Madawc Williams (East Anglia, UK). Using Windows XP & Crystal 10

 

[boed]

Thanks - can you tell me how you were able to cut and paste? I can't open the original query to cut/copy it.

 

[Madawc]

Sorry, it always opened fine for me. Do you still have the old software installed? Or could you get at it from a machine that still has it? Move to a word document and send it.


Madawc Williams (East Anglia, UK). Using Windows XP & Crystal 10

 

[synapsevampire]

Open the Crystal Query designer to get the old query used.

However you need to state the database being used, it may not be a SQL database. Unless you mean SQL Server, a SQL Query means a structured query language query, which is common tomany databases.

You state that you built SQL Queries, but that isn't necessarily true, you could have used it against non SQL databases as well.

Asking about databases and not posting your database will net questions, not answers.

-k