Crystal Reports. Overview. Contents. Differences between the Database menu in Crystal Reports 8.5 and 9

Transcription

1 Crystal Reports Differences between the Database menu in Crystal Reports 8.5 and 9 Overview Contents If you cannot find a command that exists in Crystal Reports 8.5 from the Database menu in Crystal Reports 9, then refer to the contents of this document. To understand and navigate through the Database menu commands, this document explains the differences between the Database menu of version 8.5 and 9. INTRODUCTION... 2 COMPARISON BETWEEN CRYSTAL REPORTS 8.5 AND Where is the Visual Linking Expert?...3 Where is the Add Database to Report command?...4 Where is the Remove from Report command?...6 Where is the Set Location command?...7 Where is the Set Alias command?...9 Where is the Set OLAP Cube Location command?...10 Where is the Convert Database Driver command?...10 Where is the Verify Database command?...11 Where is the Verify on Every Print command?...11 Where is the Log On/Off Server command?...11 Where is the Show SQL Query command?...12 Where is the Stored Procedure Parameters command?...13 Where is the Perform Grouping on Server command?...14 Where is the Select Distinct Records command?...14 FINDING MORE INFORMATION...14 CONTACTING CRYSTAL DECISIONS FOR TECHNICAL SUPPORT /28/ :39:00 PM Copyright 2003 Crystal Decisions, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Page 1

2 Introduction First, this document compares the Database menu of Crystal Reports 8.5 versus version 9. Next, this document answers frequently asked questions that have arisen from this comparison. Comparison Between Crystal Reports 8.5 and 9 From the Database menu of Crystal Reports 8.5, the following commands are listed: Visual Linking Expert Add Database to Report Remove from Report Set Location Set Alias Set OLAP Cube Location Convert Database Driver Verify Database Verify on Every Print Log On/Off Every Print Show SQL Query Stored Procedure Parameters Perform Grouping on Server Select Distinct Records Crystal Reports 8.5 Database menu 3/28/ :39:00 PM Copyright 2003 Crystal Decisions, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Page 2

3 From the Database menu in Crystal Reports 9, the following commands are listed: Database Expert Set Datasource Location Log On or Off Server Browse Data Set OLAP Cube Location Show SQL Query Verify Database Perform Grouping On Server Select Distinct Records Crystal Reports 9 Database menu Where is the Visual Linking Expert? The Visual Linking Expert in Crystal Reports 8.5 has been incorporated into the Database Expert in Crystal Reports 9. Visual Linking Expert in Crystal Reports 8.5 3/28/ :39:00 PM Copyright 2003 Crystal Decisions, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Page 3

4 Linking tab of the Database Expert in Crystal Reports 9 In Crystal Reports 9, linking and indexing are performed in the Linking tab of the Database Expert. NOTE If you are using a native connection to a PC-type database and you want to add indexes, right-click the field and click External Indexes. (Database > Database Expert > Links tab) Exit the In addition to the linking command, the Database Expert also includes the ability to add and remove tables from the report. Where is the Add Database to Report command? The Add Database to Report command in Crystal Reports 8.5 has been incorporated into the Database Expert in Crystal Reports 9. 3/28/ :39:00 PM Copyright 2003 Crystal Decisions, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Page 4

5 Data Explorer in Crystal Reports 8.5 In CR 8.5, the Add Database to Report command allows you to add more tables to a report. Also, this command allows you to add another ODBC DSN when the report is already connecting through ODBC. In CR 9, adding database objects and adding connections to a report are performed in the Data tab of the Database Expert. In the Data tab of CR 9, you can add or remove tables and database connections from a report. CR 9 allows multiple connections and multiple types of connections in a report. For example, ODBC, OLE DB and native connections can exist in one report. 3/28/ :39:00 PM Copyright 2003 Crystal Decisions, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Page 5

6 Data tab of the Database Expert in Crystal Reports 9 Where is the Remove from Report command? The Remove from Report command in Crystal Reports 8.5 has been incorporated into the Database Expert in Crystal Reports 9. Remove from Report in CR 8.5 allows you to remove tables and other database objects from the report. Remove from Report dialog box in Crystal Reports 8.5 In CR 9, removing database objects and removing connections are performed in the Data tab of the Database Expert. 3/28/ :39:00 PM Copyright 2003 Crystal Decisions, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Page 6

7 Data tab of the Database Expert in Crystal Reports 9 In the Data tab of CR 9, you can add or remove tables and database connections from a report. Where is the Set Location command? In Crystal Reports 8.5, the Set Location command allows you to select a table or view from one database/server location and then set it to a table or view in a different database/server location. Set button in the Data Explorer in Crystal Reports 8.5 3/28/ :39:00 PM Copyright 2003 Crystal Decisions, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Page 7

8 Set Location in Crystal Reports 8.5 In Crystal Reports 9, setting the location of database objects such as tables or views from one database/server location to another are performed by the Set Datasource Location command. Set Datasource Location dialog box in Crystal Reports 9 3/28/ :39:00 PM Copyright 2003 Crystal Decisions, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Page 8

9 Where is the Set Alias command? In Crystal Reports 8.5, the Set Alias command allows you to change the table name in a report. Set Alias dialog box in Crystal Reports 8.5 In Crystal Reports 9, changing the table name is performed in the Data tab of the Database Expert. In the right panel, click the table and press the F2 key to change the table name. Set the Alias name in Database Expert in Crystal Reports 9 3/28/ :39:00 PM Copyright 2003 Crystal Decisions, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Page 9

10 Where is the Set OLAP Cube Location command? In Crystal Reports 8.5, the Set OLAP Cube Location command allows you to change the cube from which you are reporting to another cube in a different location. This command is similar to the Set Location command in Crystal Reports 8.5. In Crystal Reports 9, the Set OLAP Cube Location command is the same as it is in Crystal Reports 8.5. Where is the Convert Database Driver command? In Crystal Reports 8.5, the Convert Database Driver command allows you to change the connection type of the report. For example, if the report is connecting to a Microsoft Access database through a native connection, then change the connection type to an ODBC connection through the Convert Database Driver command. Convert Database Driver in Crystal Reports 8.5 In Crystal Reports 9, change the connection type or convert the database driver of the report by using the Set Datasource Location command. When a database object is set to a new data source, the database driver is automatically changed if the connection type of the new data source is different. For example, if you set the location of a Microsoft Access table, using a native connection, to an Access table, using an ODBC connection, then the database driver is changed to ODBC. 3/28/ :39:00 PM Copyright 2003 Crystal Decisions, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Page 10

11 Convert the database driver in the Set Datasource Location command in Crystal Reports 9 Where is the Verify Database command? The Verify Database command sends a SQL call statement to the database to verify changes that may have occurred since the last time the report was refreshed. The Verify Database command is the same in Crystal Reports 8.5 and 9. Where is the Verify on Every Print command? In Crystal Reports 8.5, the Verify on Every Print command sends a SQL call statement to the database to verify changes every time the report is printpreviewed or printed. The Verify on Every Print command is not available in Crystal Reports 9 in the Report Designer. However, it is possible to use this command in a development application. Where is the Log On/Off Server command? In Crystal Reports 8.5, the Log On/Off Server command from the File menu allows you to open or close the connection to the data source server. In Crystal Reports 9, this is the same as the Log On or Off Server command found in the Database menu. 3/28/ :39:00 PM Copyright 2003 Crystal Decisions, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Page 11

12 When you click the Log On/Off Server in CR 8.5 or when you click the Log On or Off Server in CR 9, the Data Explorer is launched to display the Log On and the Log Off buttons. Log On or Log Off in Data Explorer Where is the Show SQL Query command? The Show SQL Query command displays the SQL statements that are generated by the ODBC driver and the objects selected in the report. NOTE If you want the Where clause of the SQL query passed directly to the server, select the Use Indexes or Server for Speed check box. (File > Report Options) In Crystal Reports 8.5, although it is possible to manually edit the SQL statement in the Show SQL Query dialog box, it is not recommended for complex SQL statements. For example, a subquery in the SQL statement is not supported. 3/28/ :39:00 PM Copyright 2003 Crystal Decisions, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Page 12

13 Show SQL Query in Crystal Reports 8.5 In Crystal Reports 9, the Show SQL Query command displays the SQL statements generated by the database drivers. Do not edit the SQL statement in the Show SQL Query command. Instead, use full SQL functionality to write and edit simple and complex SQL statements by using the Add Command node in the Database Expert. Show SQL Query in Crystal Reports 9 Where is the Stored Procedure Parameters command? The Stored Procedure Parameters command calls the parameters of a stored procedure. This command was mainly used in Crystal Reports 7. In Crystal Reports 8.5 and 9, refreshing the report or clicking the Verify Database command achieves the same result. You will be prompted to enter a parameter value for the stored procedure. 3/28/ :39:00 PM Copyright 2003 Crystal Decisions, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Page 13

14 Where is the Perform Grouping on Server command? The Perform Grouping on Server command instructs the report to group data on the server-side. The benefits are as follows: Less time connected to the server. Less memory needed to process the report on your computer. Lower transfer time from the server to the client. For a list of setup requirements on server-side processing, refer to the Crystal Reports Online Help by pressing the F1 key. This command is the same in Crystal Reports 8.5 and 9. Where is the Select Distinct Records command? The Select Distinct Records command filters duplicate records from the report. This command is the same in Crystal Reports 8.5 and 9. Finding More Information For more information on what is new and different in Crystal Reports 9 from version 8.5, refer to the following documents: Cr_query_engine.pdf How the new query engine affects reports in Crystal Reports 9 Cr9_database_drivers.pdf Database Drivers Cr9_whats_new.pdf New features in Crystal Reports 9 Locate these documents by searching for the file name at: Contacting Crystal Decisions for Technical Support We recommend that you refer to the product documentation and that you visit our Technical Support web site for more resources. Self-serve Support: Support: Telephone Support: 3/28/ :39:00 PM Copyright 2003 Crystal Decisions, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Page 14

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