Export to PDF hyperling IN the report

[jibberski]

I'm trying to automate putting a report away on our docs server. I'm running CR9 for Timberline. I must run the report via Timberline's Report Manager (timberline proprietary odbc) so no 3rd party app will work. However, is there a way to code an automatic export ( or hyperlink to ) the current report to a PDF at runtime? Thanks for your time!

 

[IdoMillet]

Crystal doesn't have such button/hyperlink exporting functionality.

ODBC is an open standard, so while it may provide access to proprietary data, are you sure that this ODBC driver is not useable by other tools? You can easily test this by using MS Access and seeing if you can link to one of the tables (using File, Get External Data, Link Tables...)

Cheers,
- Ido

Visual CUT & DataLink Viewer:
view, e-mail, export, burst, distribute, and schedule Crystal Reports.

http://www.MilletSoftware.com

 

[jibberski]

Thanks IdoMillet for your help. Timberline's Estimating unfortunately has to set the ODBC to the specific job before runtime. Yes it's true I can access ODBC with any program capable but unless the Timberline Report Manager is pointing to the proper job I'm stuck. If anybody has any knowledge of Timberline's Estimating ODBC I sure could use the assistance!!

-Jibber

 

[IdoMillet]

I think I understand the situation now. Would a solution that causes the currently previewed report to export to PDF automatically (just by virtue of previewing it) be satisfactory or do you need a way to control the process so it happens only when the user clicks on something? This is possible, but I need to understand the use scenario more fully.

If the later, then why not train the user to click on the export toolbar icon?

Cheers,
- Ido

Visual CUT & DataLink Viewer:
view, e-mail, export, burst, distribute, and schedule Crystal Reports.

http://www.MilletSoftware.com

 

[jibberski]

I currently have the users trained but the more automated I can make it the better we will all be! Slipping keys into the name and placing the reports in the wrong folders has prompted this! It's havoc on our intranet. I'm thinking of UFL's will this work?

 

[IdoMillet]

Perhaps you could use a Macro (keyboard) recorder.

Yes, a UFL could work and there's at least one 3rd-party UFL listed at:

http://www.kenhamady.com/bookmarks.html

that can do this, but I still need answers to the question above: "Would a solution that causes the currently previewed report to export to PDF automatically (just by virtue of previewing it) be satisfactory or do you need a way to control the process so it happens only when the user clicks on something?"

Cheers,
- Ido

Visual CUT & DataLink Viewer:
view, e-mail, export, burst, distribute, and schedule Crystal Reports.

http://www.MilletSoftware.com

 

[jibberski]

I need a way to control it in case of a incorrect parameter.

Here's what I'm looking for:
-the end user selects the job
-Enter param's
-Preview's the report
-Selects export hyperlink if report is correct.
-At export the timeline is updated on our project server and the flags are flipped that the job is ready to be built via "add Command".

I currently have a hyperlink that pops open the correct file location but at time of export the user has to correctly name the report. For instance "Ready_123" where 123 is the job number. If I could make that automatic I'd have 150 very happy supers!

I'll look at the link and see if I can use any of those apps and I'm looking into UFL's. I'm leaning very heavliy to UFL's burrying the call into a hyperlink. Now if I could just get Timberline to open up to writing back to the estimate!

Thanks for all your time!

 

[IdoMillet]

Yes, you could use a linked OnDemand subreport and the UFL to do this. The subreport will do the update via a command and the UFL invoked by the subreport will take care of the exporting.

Cheers,
- Ido

Visual CUT & DataLink Viewer:
view, e-mail, export, burst, distribute, and schedule Crystal Reports.

http://www.MilletSoftware.com

 

[jibberski]

I've got the UFL's working off of the BO website tutorial. A few more lines of code and some googlln' I think I'll have it!

Thanks again for all of your help!