Crystal Reports XI - Fundamentals

Introduction

• Defining the Purpose of the Report
• Determining the Layout of the Report
• Finding the Data
• Organizing the Data for the Report

Creating a Report

• Starting the Crystal Reports Program
• Starting a New Report
• Choosing a Data Source
• The Main Components of the Design Window
• Exploring the Toolbars
• Managing Resources with Explorers
• Placing Fields on the Report
• Selecting and Sizing Objects
• Browsing Field Data Moving and Aligning Objects
• Using Guides and Guidelines to Move and Align Objects
• Creating Text Objects
• Saving the Report
• Auto-saving the Report
• Previewing the Report
• Refreshing the Data
• Getting Help
• Challenge Exercise – Creating a Basic Report

Formatting Features

• Quick Formatting with the Template Expert
• Using the Format Painter
• Formatting Objects
• Inserting Lines and Boxes
• Drawing a Line
• Drawing a Box
• Inserting Graphics
• Working with the Page Commands
• Changing Page Orientation
• Changing Margins
• Working with Text Objects
• Adding Fields into a Text Object
• Formatting Part or All of an Object
• Inserting Special Fields
• Database Filters
• Filtering Data with the Select Expert
• Selecting Records with Multiple Criteria
• Viewing and Editing the Select Formula
• Case Sensitive vs. Case Insensitive
• Record Selection Formula Templates
• Challenge Exercise – Selecting Specific Records
• Challenge Exercise – Selecting a Range of Values

Report Grouping

• When and Why to Group Records
• Creating a Group
• Group and Sort Direction
• Customize Group Name Field
• Modifying Groups
• Creating Multiple Groups in a Report
• Using the Group Tree to Navigate the Report
• Reordering Groups
• Summarizing Groups
• Additional Summary Options
• Grouping Data in Date/Time Intervals
• Calculating Percentages
• Ordering Groups Based on Their Subtotals Using the Group Sort Expert
• Challenge Exercise – Grouping, Sorting, Summarizing
• Challenge Exercise – Calculating Percentages

Multiple Table Joins

• Understanding Tables, Records and Fields
• Learning About Linking
• Adding Multiple Tables to a Report
• Challenge Exercise – Using the Database Expert to Link Tables

Creating Formulas

• Understanding Crystal Formula Syntax without Being a Programmer
• About the Formula Workshop
• Using the Formula Workshop
• Using the Formula Editor
• The Formula Editor Toolbar
• Performing Simple Number Calculations
• Manipulating Dates with Formulas
• Creating Boolean (True/False) Formulas
• Creating String Formulas
• Using Bookmarks to Navigate Through Formulas
• Challenge Exercise – Creating String Formulas
• Challenge Exercise – Doing Calculations
• Challenge Exercise – Subtracting Dates
• Challenge Exercise – Using Nested If Statements

Conditional Formatting

• The Highlighting Expert
• Setting Highlighting Priorities
• Formatting Sections
• Formatting Sections Conditionally Conditionally
• Formatting Fields
• Challenge Exercise – Section Formatting and Conditional Formatting

Summary Reports and Charts

• Creating a Summary Report
• Applying the Drill Down Feature
• Applying the DrillDownGroupLevel
• Producing Charts
• Editing Charts
• Formatting Charts
• Using the General Chart Options
• Modifying Individual Objects in the Chart
• Using Auto-Arrange Chart
• Applying Chart Templates
• Challenge Exercise – Creating a Summary Report
• Challenge Exercise – Charting

Exporting Reports

• Understanding Export Formats and Destinations
• Using an HTML Format for Crystal Reports
• Exporting to Windows Applications
• Exporting to a Report Definition Format

Default Options

• Setting the Default Layout for Design and Preview Views

Report Wizards

• What are the Report Wizards?
• Create a Report Using the Standard Report Creation Wizard
• The Data Dialog Box
• The Fields Dialog Box
• The Grouping Dialog Box
• The Summaries Dialog Box
• The Group Sorting Dialog Box
• The Chart Dialog Box
• The Record Selection Dialog Box The Template Dialog Box
• Challenge Exercise – Create a Report Using a Report Wizard