Dataless report

[pachjo]

Hi, first post here hi to you all

I have crystal reports as part of my VS.NET 2005 Pro package and have reports based on datasets.

However is it possible to create a report that uses not data at all? I am thinking is it possible to write a user guide as a built in report/help for users but not sure if this is possible?

Any tips please?

Thanks

 

[Turkbear]

Hi,
A report does not have to have data ( but then it is not a report, is it?)..Just text fields can be displayed, but why?

Why not create a web page with help, etc and place links to it on your reports or start page?





To Paraphrase:"The Help you get is proportional to the Help you give.."

 

[mjjks]

As an alternative to Turkbear's suggestion, you could use an XML file as data source.
That way all you have to do is to manually(or with an editor) edit your XML file to create/update user guide.

 

[pachjo]

Mmm true it would not be a report I know, but it would allow me to display it in a document viewer?

Don't like the online idea as I want the user guide included in the application.

XML is no good as I don't know it and don't really want to start learning it just to create a guide?

I will have to see about embedding some other format into my application....hey ho

Thanks

 

[mjjks]

A little extra work in the beginning might save you hours of redesign later, when application matures. If both solutions above don't work for you, how about creating local HTML page and show it in a browser control.

 

[pachjo]

better still, supply help in the Windows manner by using this very useful FREE tool

http://www.ibe-software.com/products/software/helpndoc/