Linking Reports to your Database in Crystal Reports 2008

Size: px

Start display at page:

Download "Linking Reports to your Database in Crystal Reports 2008"

Thomas Patterson
5 years ago
Views:

Linking Reports to your Database in Crystal Reports 2008 After downloading

Windows Explorer and double-click on the report file or (2) browse to and

1 Linking Reports to your Database in Crystal Reports 2008 After downloading and saving a report on your PC, either (1) browse-to the report using Windows Explorer and double-click on the report file or (2) browse to and open the report from the File and Open option in the Crystal Reports 2008 software. When opening a downloaded template for the first time, it s common to receive one or more warnings. One common warning has to do with an invalid printer for the report. This just means that the printer saved along with the report does not matching a printer on your PC. Click OK if you see this warning. 1 P a g e

You may receive warnings about the version of Crystal Reports being used in some cases. This typically only happens if the report was written using a newer version than your current version.

2 You may receive warnings about the version of Crystal Reports being used in some cases. This typically only happens if the report was written using a newer version than your current version. In most cases, this isn t a problem. After the report has been loaded and is displayed in the Crystal Reports 2008 software, you want to relink the report with your database. Click the Database menu and choose Set Datasource Location. This will open the Set Datasource Location window. Using an Existing Connection (My Connections) If you ve previously used Crystal Reports 2008 software, you may have some existing connections displayed under the My Connections folder in the Replace with panel. If one of these connections is the server where the SprucWare.NET SQL Database resides (usually the database is named SpruceDotNet or something very similar), choose the existing connection and click the Update button now. 2 P a g e

In many cases, you ll be asked to supply login information for the database server. Always use the readonly user ID and password (usually this is spruceuser and spruceuser$ respectively).

3 In many cases, you ll be asked to supply login information for the database server. Always use the readonly user ID and password (usually this is spruceuser and spruceuser$ respectively). If you are using a DataLink file (a text-based file that stores connection information), click the < Back button to specify the data link file s location. After specifying the data link, return to this form by clicking Next > and check the Integrated Security check box. 3 P a g e

If you are still unable to connect, contact your company s IT or system administrator for assistance. If the connection was successful, the new server address will appear in the upper panel.

4 Click the Finish button on the Connection Information window. At this time, a connection will either be established with the server or it won t. If the connection fails, you will receive a message If you receive an error, verify the connection information and try again. If you are still unable to connect, contact your company s IT or system administrator for assistance. If the connection was successful, the new server address will appear in the upper panel. You can close the Set Datasource Location window and save your report. Use the refresh button to process the report using your data. Establishing a New Connection If you didn t have any existing connections or your SpruceWare.NET SQL Database isn t listed, you ll need to choose (expand) the Create New Connection option. Next, locate and expand the OLE DB (ADO) option. 4 P a g e

5 This will open the OLE DB (ADO) dialog window. Locate the provider name Microsoft OLE DB Provider for SQL Server in the listing (click on it so that it is selected as shown below). Note: many of the options listed are similar, so make sure you choose the correct one. If you are using a Data Link file, check the box next to User Data Link File and browse to locate your data link file using the browse ( ) button and click the Next > button. Choose the integrated security option on the next page and click finish. If you are not using a Data Link, click the Next > button now to specify your connection information. Always use the read-only user ID and password (usually this is spruceuser and spruceuser$ respectively). The database name is usually SpruceDotNet or a slight variation from this in some cases. 5 P a g e

How to Create a Data Link File This can make linking reports to your data a bit easier because it allows you to store the connection information in a file that you can re-use it whenever necessary.

6 How to Create a Data Link File This can make linking reports to your data a bit easier because it allows you to store the connection information in a file that you can re-use it whenever necessary. A data link begins as a text file, but first you must decide where you want to save your data link. One suggestion is to create a directory named Data Links under your My Documents folder, for example. Use Windows Explorer to add a new Text Document file within the directory (see below). Use the alternate menu mouse button (usually a right-click) to view these menu options while hovering your mouse in the right-hand explorer panel. Rename the file spruce.udl or something similar. The file s extension (end of the name) must end with.udl regardless of the name you choose. Remove the.txt at the end of the name if necessary. UDL 6 P a g e

At this point, we have a data link, but it doesn t have our connection information as of yet.

7 stands for universal data link. When changing the file s extension, you will be warned that the file might become unstable. We are hopeful that this doesn t happen, so click the Yes button. At this point, we have a data link, but it doesn t have our connection information as of yet. To add this information, either double-click on the file or choose Properties from the file s alternate menu (usually a right-click). If you double clicked, you ll see a window similar to the example shown below 7 P a g e

From the Provider tab, choose Microsoft OLE DB Provider for SQL Server. Many of the options listed have similar names, so make sure you choose the correct one.

8 From the Provider tab, choose Microsoft OLE DB Provider for SQL Server. Many of the options listed have similar names, so make sure you choose the correct one. Click the Next >> button or the Connection tab. 1. Enter the server s IP address or network name. 2. Choose Use a specific user name and password: and enter your company s read-only user name and password (usually the user name is spruceuser and the password is spruceuser$). 3. Enter the database name used for the SpruceWare.NET SQL Database. In most cases, this is SpruceDotNet or a slight variation of this (if you have more than one SpruceWare.NET database, they would each have different names). 8 P a g e

9 Click the Test Connection button. If the connection is successful, you re done and can click the OK button; otherwise, verify your connection information and seek assistance from your company s IT person if needed. 9 P a g e

Online App Access: Quick Set-up & Instructions

Online App Access: Quick Set-up & Instructions Welcome to The Media Audit You will be accessing data ONLINE through our Citrix app, available by visiting: app.themediaaudit.com This simple guidebook contains