integrating xls data to a crystal report

[tpmcghee]

We have the need to print data from an sql database using crystal reports and then using a key from that data selecting and printing an existing spreadsheet so that the final result is a printout that consists of a cover page (data from sql data base) followed immediately by the printed excel spreadsheet. We are able to get the concept to work if we convert the speadsheet into a bitmap, but have been unable to get it working using a native xls file.

 

[IdoMillet]

The spreadsheet should start on a new page (this would be easier), or should it continue on the same page as the end of the Crystal report?

What is the frequency & trigger for the process?

- Ido

view, email, export, burst, distribute, and schedule Crystal Reports.

http://www.MilletSoftware.com

 

[tpmcghee]

The spreadsheet will start on a new page after the cover sheet. The frequency will be on demand. The user will submit a crystal report that will print the cover sheet for open items on a file. The file will contain a unique key. The spreadsheet is named in a standard way which includes the key value so it can be selected.

 

[IdoMillet]

Will the user need to repeat the process for all open items? Again, what is the frequency ("on demand" could be once per day or 50 times per day...)?

- Ido

view, email, export, burst, distribute, and schedule Crystal Reports.

http://www.MilletSoftware.com

 

[tpmcghee]

The users will run the process 3 - 5 times daily to run the open items off. There will be reprints of single items (specifying an individual item instead of all open items)probably in the range of 5 - 10 times daily.

 

[IdoMillet]

There is at least one 3rd-party Report Manager among those listed at

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

that can do this using an "After_Burst_Batch" command line argument.

You would set up the report to burst to a printer so that each open item included in the report would become a separate print job. Immediately after each printout, a batch file would be called and dynamic references in that batch file would automatically be replaced with information from that open item. This would allow you to trigger the printout of the desired excel file.

- Ido

view, email, export, burst, distribute, and schedule Crystal Reports.

http://www.MilletSoftware.com

 

[tpmcghee]

Thanks for the information.

I don't know that we will change from coverting the file to a bitmap and handling it right in the crystal report, but it it good to know that there are other ways to handle it.