How to automatically export a RPT file into a PDF report?

[virgilash]

What I have:
A PHP5 application, running on a LINUX server (so no COM sollution - because of Linux and no VS.NET solution too...)
Crystal Reports 10 Enterprise Edition as a reporting solution.
SQL Server 2000 Standard Ed.

What is needed:
When the end-user presses a button, a PDF file has to be generated automatically and opened with Adobe on client side(but not in PHP, that would kill the programmers - the truth is it's a pretty complex report, it could take at least 2-3 days of hard work. In Crystal Reports it would be 2-3 hours of work only.

So basically I want Crystal Reports to generate automatically that PDF file - the idea is "let's not force the client to think too hard..." (pressing Export, choosing "Adobe Acrobat PDF file", giving it a name and opening it proved pretty complex for some people ....

Is this thing possible in Crystal Reports 10 (or 11, we've just bought it)?

 

[dgillz]

Well, the word "automatically" is pretty ambiguous, but if you click on the export icon, you can choose .pdf as export format, and it is pretty automatic after that.

Or you can print to a .pdf printer.

Anything wrong with either of these options?

Software Sales, Training, Implementation and Support for Macola, eSynergy, and Crystal Reports

http://www.gainfocus.biz

"What version of URGENT!!! are you using?

 

[virgilash]

It's not ambiguous at all - it should behave like clicking a link to a PDF file - just open directly the report as a PDF file with Adobe Acrobat Reader, especially to send it by e-mail just by using "File - Sent file by -mail..." (but not only).

Unfortunately some web applications don't have as end-users people having technical education (or at least close) - and for such a user exporting a file to a PDF format, choosing a location & name for it, then using Explorer to locate it and send it by e-mail could be an overwhelming experience ...

Feel desolated, English is not my first language, I suppose that's why I was not correctly understood ...

 

[dgillz]

I think your English is perfect.

As you explained it, I agree with you, this is a bit much for some users. I do not have a solution however. If you find one let us know.

Software Sales, Training, Implementation and Support for Macola, eSynergy, and Crystal Reports

http://www.gainfocus.biz

"What version of URGENT!!! are you using?

 

[IdoMillet]

If the php application on the Linux box can write a simple batch file that specifies the report to export, parameter values (if any), export destination, and email destination, nemail destination, and save that file to a Windows box, then I can describe a solution.

- Ido

view, e-mail, export, burst, distribute, and schedule Crystal Reports.

http://www.MilletSoftware.com

 

[virgilash]

I'm almost sure it can write this(I'm not a PHP Pro, but the guys (they're pro) can do that)