Crystal XI - Parameter - Uploading a list

[ReillyC]

I have a report where I group data by product type.
For example,
Model No: 123699
Location: USA
Order from: Portugal

Model No: 563336
Location: USA
Order from: China

Model No: 8696633
Location: France
Order from: Italy

I need to set up 2 parameters. (1) Select countries (2) model numbers

(1) I set up one parameter where the user excludes out the countries they don't because generally they need most of them.

(2) My problem is setting up parameter 2. The user usually has a list of specific model numbers that they want to see on the report. The list is generally more than 100 model numbers. Is there a way for a user to upload a text file containing a list of 100 model numbers into a parameter.


Originally I thought I could have them copy and paste the model numbers into the select expert but they can't use it since I placed a read only on the report.

Any ideas? I'm trying to prevent the user from entering each model number one at a time.

Best Regards again.

 

[lbass]

How would the user define the list of 100? Is there something that all values have in common?

-LB

 

[synapsevampire]

You might be able to use a range.

You might create a table which has an identifier for groups of parts, and then just have them select the identifier and then join the model numbers of the identifier table to the existing table.

If the users are using Crystal Reports XI, then they can repopulate the parameter list from a text file from within Crystal Reports.

And there are other possibilities...hard to say without knowing how they're running reports.

-k

 

[ReillyC]

Lbass,

Unforunately, there is no common values.Generally the user reviews & then selects a list of the model #'s based on several different criterias but then that list is always altered. That is, they remove or mix up model types. For example, they may select VCR model #'s but then select 14 TV model#'s because they have similiar features. In the past they have provided a list of the model numbers in an excel file and I run the list for them. I usually copy and paste the numbers into the select expert but I was hoping that they could do it themselves.

Synapsevampire,
The user accesses the report through Crystal server. When the user refreshes the screen on my report they get the prompt to select the parameters they want. Right now I have a country selection parameter but they need to use their specific list of model numbers to get the report they want. My users aren't too technically saavy so I try to keep it simple by using the parameters.

Thank you in advance.

 

[lbass]

I think you will have to set up the possible model numbers as parameter options, and let the users select from the list. You might want to set this up to allow range values or discrete values, so that users could pick model #'s like: 1 to 6, 8, 10 to 12, etc.

-LB

 

[ReillyC]

Hello,
I was looking into Synapsevampire's response this morning. It seems interesting.
Synapsevampire's response was "If the users are using Crystal Reports XI, then they can repopulate the parameter list from a text file from within Crystal Reports."

My question is does the text file have to reinsert each time the report is run or can we have a text file called File.txt sitting in a folder and the user just opens the text file and pastes the model numbers into the text file then goes to the report and refreshes the screen to get the country selection they want.Would that work?

 

[ReillyC]

It appears the text file has to be uploaded each time there is an update to the .txt file.
Back to the drawing board.

Thanks for your suggestions.
Your advice was greatly appreciated.