Course Description

This 2-day Crystal Reports Advanced training course is for experienced users of Crystal Reports.

While this course utilises Crystal Reports 2013, it is also suitable for students who will be using earlier or later versions of Crystal Reports.

After completing this course, students will know how to:

  • Use multiple sections in reports for advanced formatting techniques.
  • Underlay graphics and charts to print beside data.
  • Create and modify running totals in reports.
  • Create and use parameter fields to prompt users for information.
  • Use Edit Masks to limit user entry into parameter fields.
  • Create a pick list to view data.
  • Create and use sub-reports.
  • Add hyperlinks and OLE objects to a report.
  • Use variables, arrays, and ranges in a formula.
  • Create formulas by using multiple functions.
  • Use Evaluation Time functions.
  • Create and use Report Templates.
  • Create and format Cross-Tab Reports and create charts from cross-tabs.
  • Create, modify, and delete Report Alerts.

 

Pre-requisites

Crystal Reports – Introduction or equivalent experience. Students need to be experienced users of Crystal Reports.

 

Further Training

We also recommend attendance at our SQL Fundamentals of Querying course to gain SQL skills that are complementary to advanced usage of Crystal Reports.

 

Course content

Refresher Exercise

Creating a Report
Placing Fields
Creating Formulas
Advanced Grouping
Selecting Specific Records
Formatting the Report – Helpful Hints
Working with Text Objects
Hiding and Suppressing Sections
Guidelines

Power Formatting with Multiple Sections

Using Multiple Sections in a Report
Using the Section Expert
Conditional; Formatting with Sections
Using DrillDownGroupLevel

Using the Running Totals Feature

Understanding Running Totals
Create Running Totals for a List of Numbers
Conditional Running Totals

Prompting with Parameters

Parameter Fields Overview
Parameter Fields Considerations
Creating a Parameter Field
Using a Parameter to Select Records
Using a Parameter Field
Using the Parameter Panel
Creating a Dynamic Value List for Parameter Values
Importing a Pick List
Parameter Values with Text Objects
Multiple Values in Parameters
Using Multiple Parameter Fields in Reports
Specifying and Limiting a Parameter Range
Parameters in Conditional Formatting
Edit Masks with String Parameters
Sorting with a Parameter
Group Sorting with a Parameter
Set N for Top N or Bottom N with a Parameter
Display Parameter Fields
Cascading Parameter Fields

Advanced Formula Features

How Crystal Reports Processes Data
Passes in Data Handling
Pre-Pass #1
Pass #1
Pre-Pass #2
Pass #2
Pass #3
Evaluation Time Functions
Working with Variables
Declaring Variables
Assigning a Value to a Variable
Using Variables in Formulas
Variable Scope
Separating Statements in Complex Formulas
Working with Arrays
Formula Evaluation Debugger

SubReports

Understanding Subreports
Unlinked vs. Linked Subreports
Creating an Unlinked Subreport
Linking a Subreport
Database Links vs. Subreports
Formatting a Subreport
Passing Data from the Main Report
On-demand Subreports
Using Hyperlinks

Cross-Tab Reports

Creating a Cross-Tab Report
Multiple Rows and Columns in a Cross-Tab
Formatting Style with Cross-Tab
Background Colours
Individual Cell Formats
Suppress Rows, Columns or Totals
Repeat Row Headings
Alias Names for Row or Column Headings
Charting Cross-Tabs
Customised Group Names
CurrentFieldValue

Report Alerts

What are Report Alerts
Creating a Report Alert
Report Formulas or Conditional Formatting with Report Alerts
Creative Use of Report Alerts

Report Templates

What is a Report Template
Report Creation Wizard and Templates
The Template Expert
Applying a Template and Consequences
Template Considerations
Inserting Template Fields
Formatting Template Fields
Values in Template Fields