Upgrading Crystal 7.0 to 8.5 in VB

[knovo]

We are currently using the Crystal Reports OCX interface in our distributed VB 1 Tier Client server application, connecting to SQL Server 7.0. It is working OK, however, the users have been begging for an export format that will really work to let them export reports to a file, possibly do some editing, and then e-mail them to someone else. Currently they are using RTF, but we lose a lot of the formatting, not to mention the page numbers when exporting.

I have heard of the ability to export to PDF in 8.5, so we are considering upgrading for that and other reasons. I need to know if there is a really good reference book on converting from 7.0 to 8.5, especially as it pertains to converting from the OCX to the RDC. If there is already a good reference out there on the subject, I'd hate to re-invent to wheel. Thanks...

 

[kenhamady]

You can download the PDF export dll, without upgrading. See Seagate's website.

Also, don't confuse upgrading to 8.5 with converting to the RDC. Two different things since 8.5 still supports the OCX. Upgrading the OCX will simply require that you save the report in the new 8.x format and then give the VB project the new V8 ocx dlls.

Converting to the RDC (even if you don't upgrade) would also require writing completely new code to control the report. There is Crystal documentation that shows the migration from the OCX to the RDC. Ken Hamady

http://www.kenhamady.com/

On-site custom Crystal Reports Training and Consulting.
Quick Reference Guide to using Crystal in VB.

 

[knovo]

All the information I have been able to read indicates that the PDF format is not available in version 7.0, which we are currently using.

I realize that version 8.5 still supports the OCX, however, once again, much of what I have read indicates that the OCX is "old technology", in which the newer features will not be supported.

I know that converting from the OCX to the RDC means re-programming our interface, that is why I asked about a good reference book on the subject.

I ask again -- does anyone know about a good book on the subject of converting from the OCX interface to the RDC? If this information is embedded in the Crystal documentation somewhere - does anyone know exactly where to look?

Thanks.

 

[balves]

It's really not too difficult to find.

Go to

http://support.crystaldecisions.net/

And type in RDC Sample Application to Ask Jeeves. Brian J. Alves
Terrier Consulting, Inc.
Email: brian.alves@worldnet.att.net
VB / Crystal / SQLServer

 

[kenhamady]

Seagate has removed the pdf dll (beta version download) from their web site. I didn't test it, but I was under the impression it would work with V7 and V8. I must have been mistaken.

The migration article is:

http://support.crystaldecisions.com/communityCS/TechnicalPapers/scr8-ocxtordc.pdf

Ken Hamady

http://www.kenhamady.com/

On-site custom Crystal Reports Training and Consulting.
Quick Reference Guide to using Crystal in VB.

 

[knovo]

Thanks for the replies - I am sure with the reference material and the sample apps, we will be able to do our conversion.

 

[kenhamady]

In my opinion, the biggest downside to the RDC, is that you can no longer refer to tables and fields by their aliases or names. Everything is based on object number. This means that minor changes to the report (anythin that changes the object numbers) requires changes in the code. Ken Hamady

http://www.kenhamady.com/

On-site custom Crystal Reports Training and Consulting.
Quick Reference Guide to using Crystal in VB.

 

[mimi99]

ok I have gone to 8.5 and I am trying to do an export to dll.
I have a vb application that calls an asp
this asp calls a function on the server which open report , pass parameters, export to pdf

then the resulted file will be redirected to the user .

I have a problem that the export happens twice , since I am using EnableParameterPrompting = true
so the second time takes no parameters and genrates an empty file it overrides the original ,, pleeeeesaae help