Macola - (Crystal Addt'l Functions) 1

[tc3596]

After installing Macola, you can go into Crystal and under Additional Functions you will see a ConvertMacolaStringto128A function. If I don't want to install Macola, how do I the Crystal dll's. Basically, I want to place the dll's in the winnt/crystal folder. Thanks in advance.

Tim

 

[MacolaHelp]

As long as you have an odbc connection to the macola database & network &/or sql rights to the macola database, you can install crystal reports for macola & use the convertmacolastring128a function. You also need to be sure that it is installed in a way that you have the crystal licenses properly accounted for. In v7, you do a client install & need lanpacks to manage more than 1 user on a concurrent basis. In 8.5, the install from network to manage client accesses is a bit different.

 

[dgillz]

The ODBC Connection will allow access to the data, but crystal would not recognize MacolaStringto128A(), or any of the macola functions, as legitimate functions.

CRUFLMA.DLL is the name of the .dll that gives all of these Macola() functions to crystal. Just copy this to the winnt\crystal directory and manually register it with regsvr32.

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

http://www.trianglepartners.com

 

[tc3596]

Thanks dgillz. That's just what I wanted. I'll test this out on Friday. Happy New Year.

 

[Macoladownunder]

Hi
I am having the same problem with Crystal when installing Crystal 7 on a Windows 2003 terminal server. I have tried what dgillz suggested but it has not been successfull.
Is there anything else I could try.
Thanks
Luke

MacolaDownUnder
Exact Down Under Users Group - EDUUG
Getting systems that work in Australia and NZ

 

[dgillz]

Did you register the .dll? It is not enough to just copy it to the winnt\crystal folder, you must register it, on every workstation.

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

http://www.trianglepartners.com

 

[Macoladownunder]

dgillz
Yes I have registered the dll.
I have found a ufl on the crystal site that does gives me the number to date function but we are also using the macola remove zero function, any ideas how to get the macola additional functions working?
The macola additional functions work fine on all client machines w9x,W2K and Xp but not on the new windows 2003 terminal server
Thanks

MacolaDownUnder
Exact Down Under Users Group - EDUUG
Getting systems that work in Australia and NZ

 

[tc3596]

It's true. It worked only after I registered the dll.

 

[Macoladownunder]

HI
I have solved my problem, if I copy the c:\windows\crystal folder to my home directory under h:\windows folder everything works as expected.
This was not something I needed to do with w2k terminal server.
Thanks
Luke

MacolaDownUnder
Exact Down Under Users Group - EDUUG
Getting systems that work in Australia and NZ

 

[Macoladownunder]

Thank you Don and Tim,
I think we had some other issues to do with our license file also which was recently changed. Nonetheless, Luke got it going with some info he got from E-synergy (Exact).
Our licensing etc has been changed since moving to Triangle Partners in December for support. Don is probably aware of soem of the issues we were faced with there.

Thanks again fellas.

MacolaDownUnder
Exact Down Under Users Group - EDUUG
Getting systems that work in Australia and NZ

 

[crystalreporting]

One other thing to consider - you can make your life easier by NOT using Macola's DLL's - that way if you have to distribute your reports in thr future, or add them to applications you don't need to worry about 'non-standard' DLL's. I've yet to come across a Macola specific function that can't be replicated in a formula. It's important to know that UFL's go away with version 9.0 too....

To remove zeroes from a vendor number (for example);

if NumericText({APVENFIL_SQL.Vend_No}
then
ToText(ToNumber({APVENFIL_SQL.Vend_No}},0,"&quot
else
{APVENFIL_SQL.Vend_No}

Peter Shirley

http://www.linkcorp.com

 

[MacolaHelp]

Thanks for the info on ufls in v9. I hadn't heard that. For what I've heard about v9 so far, I haven't found anything that I just HAVE to have. Have you found any really cool things in it that the ordinary macola user should get excited to have?

 

[crystalreporting]

Yes... and no. The Crystal repository that was introduced in v9.0 is really slick - it allows you to store common functions (UFL replacements), logos, text, etc. in a 'repository'. Crystal v9.0 ships with a sample repository in MS Access, but Crystal connects to it via ODBC, so it can be any ODBC compliant database, stored locally or on a server. Simply change an object in the repository, and all of the reports using that object reflect the change. Saves having to edit hundreds of reports if you change a company name or some other common item.

Peter Shirley

http://www.linkcorp.com

 

[MacolaHelp]

Peter: how about formulas? Can those reside in the repository and be updated to all linked reports? Right now I'm trying to collect in an excel spreadsheet & document which reports use which formulas so that I can copy/paste instead of recreate for similar reports. If I could streamline this distribution process, it would save my client money and avoid more gray hair for me. That in & of itself might help me make a case for the higher end crystal at my sites that use them extensively.

 

[crystalreporting]

MacolaHelp - the repository is specifically designed to address the situation you're discussing. I too have numerous reports at sites that use common formulas. Updating them all is a pain in the %$$! The repository installs by default as an ODBC connection on the local machine - DSN is Crystal Repository, and by default it points to a MS Access database on the local machine called Repository_En.mdb (En = English). Because the connection is a local DSN name, it can be pointed to a copy of the same database in a central location i.e. on a server. Furthermore, it does not have to be a MS Access database - you can create one with the same structure in MS SQL if you prefer, then simply point the Crystal Repository DSN to it. The Repository Explorer within the designer, displays the contents of your Crystal Repository as a tree with folders and subfolders. You can add and rename folders as you like.
e.g. one for images, one for text objects, or one for Macola text obects. You have complete control over how these are named and organized. Any text object or image can be added to the repository by right-clicking and selecting 'add to repository'. Functions (not formulas) can be added from within the function editor as can SQL expressions and SQL statements. You can set all reports to have repository objects updated automtically when they are opended through the options, or individually with a check-box on the open dialogue screen. Phew! Hope this helps.

Peter Shirley

http://www.linkcorp.com