Shortcut for report user 3

[Sumone]

I am running Crystal v8.5. For users to be able to execute existing reports as needed, is there any way to shortcut from a report selection menu directly to execution or to a requisite parameter values screen without the design screen being displayed?

I have users who find having to view this screen to be confusing and unnecessary. Others are quite intimidated by the numerous buttons on the toolbar and are fearful of "hitting the wrong button" in the process of selecting Print Preview or Refresh.

Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

 

[synapsevampire]

Crystal 8.5 is a report development product, each of which requires a license.

To allow users to run reports you have various options, the easiest for you might be to create compiled reports:

http://support.crystaldecisions.com/communityCS/TechnicalPapers/compiled_reports.pdf.asp

-k

 

[Sumone]

Thanks for the link synapsevampire.

 

[crystalreporting]

It's important to point out that compiled reports are NOT supported in v8.5, and are not even available in v9.0. I'd hate to see you go to the trouble of compiling all of your reports, only to realize that the option was gone with v9.0, and that you had restricted your upgrade path.

You might want to consider alternatives - if you have an intranet, you can easily web enable your reports. If you have VB, you can develop your own executables to view reports. There are also a number of third party products out on the market that allow you to view reports without the need for the report designer.

Bear in mind too - that you could always leave your users to view reports with the designer, and simply turn off all of the tool and status bars. All they'd need to do, is open a report, and press function key 5.

Your call, just don't rush into using the compiler....

Peter Shirley

http://www.linkcorp.com

 

[Sumone]

Thanks Peter. A great suggestion and a likely solution. Although the user will still be viewing designer, this would certainly minimize the problem/confusion with toolbars.

 

[kenhamady]

You might want to look at the list of third party viewers on the LINKS page of my web site. I know at least 2 of them now have command line options, which should allow you to write a shortcut to launch the report directly into the viewer. And they are much less expensive then giving users a copy of CR that they don't need.

Web based deployment puts all report output through the browser, which addes unnecessary limitations. I would only go that route if your requirement is that the process be web enabled. It is not really a simple way to give users 'viewer' type capability.

Ken Hamady, On-site Custom Crystal Reports Training & Consulting
Public classes and individual training.
Expert's Guide to Formulas / Tips and Tricks / Guide to Crystal in VB

http://www.kenhamady.com/

- tek@kenhamady.com

 

[Sumone]

Thanks Ken for suggesting yet another great alternative. My plate is full for consideration. This forum site has proven to be a great resource tool!