Need HELP fast! Distributing reports to clients. 1

[aholden]

I've created several Crystal Reports in version 8.5. I need to send these out (as compiled reports) to multiple clients each running their own database (but same database table names). How can they run these reports and be prompted for their database or better yet can it figure it out on its own if the table names are the same?

Please hurry!!!!

Aaron

 

[kenhamady]

If you are using ODBC, you will have to make sure that they all have the same ODBC connection name. Even then, a change in the path might prevent the reports from finding the database.

If the reports use a Direct, non-ODBC or "Datafile" connection, like Dbase or MS Access, you can use the option "same as report" so that the report can just be placed in the same folder as the database files.

Either way, you need to test your compile in a couple of configurations to make sure that it works.
Ken Hamady, On-site Custom Crystal Reports Training & Consulting
Public classes and individual training.
Guide to using Crystal in VB

http://www.kenhamady.com/

tek@kenhamady.com

 

[aholden]

Thanks for the response. Yes, I'm using ODBC connecting to a SQL Server database and it seems like when I compile the report and distribute it as an exe it's always picking up the database that I used when i was developing the report instead of prompting for a data source. Any ideas?

 

[kenhamady]

First, make sure that you don't have saved data with the report.

Second, I have never seen compiled reports prompt for a data source. Prompt for parameters, yes, but not for the data source. Have you ever seen it do this? Ken Hamady, On-site Custom Crystal Reports Training & Consulting
Public classes and individual training.
Guide to using Crystal in VB

http://www.kenhamady.com/

tek@kenhamady.com

 

[aholden]

thank you for answering.

I have a follow-up question. I created my Crystal Reports in 8.5 to point to stored procedures in a SQL Server database. We have clients that still use 7.0 or earlier. I haven't seen a way in 7.0 to point to stored procedures. Am I missing something?

 

[kenhamady]

Go to File Options, and the SQL tab. Make sure that your option in v7 is set to expose the stored procedures. Ken Hamady, On-site Custom Crystal Reports Training & Consulting
Public classes and individual training.
Guide to using Crystal in VB

http://www.kenhamady.com/

tek@kenhamady.com

 

[aholden]

Again, thank you for your help....one more topic....it looks like we want to get away from having our clients compile the reports we send them and make .exe's....it was my understanding we could use VB and Crystal's craxddrt dll to logon to the database, open up the rpt file, and execute it. Do you have any experience/code on how to do this or where I could go to find more info?

 

[synapsevampire]

Check Ken's site for a tutorial on doing this:

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

-k

http://www.informeddatadecisions.com

kai@informeddatadecisions.com

 

[IdoMillet]

Yes, Ken has a good tutorial on Crystal/VB integration.

Note that you DON'T need craxddrt.dll (double 'd') for what you have in mind because your application will not provide run time report design functionality. All you need is the craxdrt.dll (single 'd').

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

http://www.MilletSoftware.com

 

[aholden]

Quick question - I'm trying to print a Crystal report in VB in batch - meaning I don't want to have any user intervention - I tried using report.printout (false) but it didn't do anything. I'm also using report.export (false) but that seems to be working since I set up all the correct parameters. Are there parameters I need to set for printing?

 

[kenhamady]

aholden,

Could you start a new question for this?
also read faq149-237. Ken Hamady, On-site Custom Crystal Reports Training & Consulting
Public classes and individual training.
Expert's Guide to Formulas / Guide to Crystal in VB

http://www.kenhamady.com/

- tek@kenhamady.com

 

[chelseatech]

If you don't want to write your own report viewer, I've got one available (called cView). We have a feature called "Table mapping" where you can design a report against A.MDB but at each user site point all the reports to a different folder or even a different DB.

Works well with file based databases like Access, Foxpro and Btrieve. I haven't checked it against SQL databases much yet, but can expand into that area if needed.

cViewMANAGER, my report scheduler has the same mechanism.

Editor and Publisher of Crystal Clear

http://www.chelseatech.co.nz/pubs.htm