VB6 RDC Run Report and Export Data Silently?

[tpeters1]

Background Information:
I have created a Crystal Reports Viewer using VB6, CR10 and RDC. I am populating report parameter default values dynamically by running a secondary report in the background. This secondary report contains the picklist that I want to appear the first reprort. The picklist report is then exported to a text file. Then I read the text file containing the picklist data into the default values of the desired parameter in the first report.

I know it seems complicated, but it seems to work and it doesn't require CR11 or a third party component. One problem with the technique is that every time I export a report in the background, a window pops up that says "Exporting...". So when there are multiple parameters and multiple secondary reports the screen flashes annoyingly.

The Question:
Is there a way to run a report in the background using VB6, and export the data to a file without out showing any notificions to the user? That is to say, can I export the data in silent mode?

I suppose that I could suppress the screen refreshes for a few moments...

Thanks.

 

[IdoMillet]

afaik, there is no way to suppress that dialog.

- Ido

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

http://www.MilletSoftware.com

 

[tpeters1]

Ok.

Is there a way to access the report data without exporting to a disk file?

 

[IdoMillet]

You have several ready-made alternatives to achieve your end-result:

1. Crystal XI provides dynamic parameters.

2. I'm aware of 2 different 3rd-party tools (one is a viewer that can use other reports as dynamic parameters and the other is a utility that refreshes static parameter default values) that provide dynamic parameters even in earlier versions of Crystal. See list at:

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

- Ido

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

http://www.MilletSoftware.com

 

[tpeters1]

Thanks for the advice, Ido, but I did't want to go with CR XI or a 3rd party component.

I have resolved the problem to my own satisfaction by placing all the parameter drop down list queries in one report. There is just one quick export to file popup that is displayed briefly and then subsequently all reports have dynamic default parameter lists.