passing a field value from MS Access to CR

[Toxodont]

Hello,

I am automating a permit application process. To do this I need to pull some values from a database and send them to a crystal report.

The idea is to be in an access data entry form and at the click of a button be able to generate a permit using the current record information.

How can I send these values from Access to CR?

As an aside, is there a way to run the report without actually having to open the CR application, or does everybody need CR installed on their computer to run it?

Any response is appreciated

 

[pgtek]

hi
What version of crystal are u using?
pgtek

 

[Toxodont]

I'm using version 8.5!

 

[pgtek]

hi

are you on a network?
the other user have this access to this database?
is that database set on a network or on your machine?

will you create a report that all user have access to it?
will you place it on the intranet or the web?

this will help me guide u in the right direction

pgtek

 

[Toxodont]

Q:are you on a network?
A:yes

Q:the other user have this access to this database?
A:Yes multiple people will access this database, but only one person at a time.

Q:is that database set on a network or on your machine?
A:the database is on my machine, but will be accessed over the network. IE: Paths will all be \\mymachine\permit\databae.mdb etc

Q:will you create a report that all user have access to it?
A:yes many users will access this report, but again, only one at a time.

Q:will you place it on the intranet or the web?
A:this will stay on this network and that's it.

Thank you for taking your time to help me! I truly appreciate it

 

[pgtek]

hi
ok lets start.
create a systems DSN since everybody will have access to this report.
Make sure that all computer have this DSN set up on their computer
i quess you will use an ODBC connection.

Create your report as usual and design it in accordance to what you want it to be.
save your report on the network make sure that it's a share network and folder.

Have your user setup their ODBC connection and create a systems DSN on their computer.

Note ask your user not to save the report with data or save as since everybody will have access to this report.
Make yourself a backup copy of your report and in the proprety change it to read only so no body can modify it or save it on Visual source safe it you have it.
NOTE the user must have permission set on this database to use it

cheers

pgtek

 

[pgtek]

hi
also you can have parameter set on your report so the user can fill out what he or she needs to generate the report
example

you might have parameter for name, address, city, county,zip
etc..........

create a parameter for each
you might have drop list of choice or discret value
and then the have all fill the parameter the report will generated automaticly with the info submitted from the parameters.

hope this helps you

cheers

pgtek

 

[Toxodont]

Thank you for your responses pgtek!

I think moreso I was getting at how I could pass a value on my MS Access form to CR.

Here is a screen shot of my form in Access.

After selecting the highlighted button I would like some information from that screen to be passed to a report. I don't want to select parameters because the point is to automate a process which is currently manual. All I need really is to pass even just one value (permit_no) which could identify the record to Crystal.

Thanks again for all your help pgtek! I really appreciate it!