Before You Begin
Defining the Purpose of the Report
Determining the Layout of the Report
Finding the Data
Organizing the Data for the Report
Creating a Simple 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
Selecting Specific Records from the Database
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
Grouping and Sorting Data for Summary Purposes
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
Combining Multiple Tables
Understanding Tables, Records, and Fields
Learning About Linking
Adding Multiple Tables to a Report
Challenge Exercise - Using the Database Expert to Link Tables
Creating and Using 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
ConditionallyFormatting Fields
Challenge Exercise - Section Formatting and Conditional Formatting
Creating 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 Report Results Within Your Organization
Understanding Export Formats and Destinations
Using an HTML Format for Crystal Reports
Exporting to Windows Applications
Exporting to a Report Definition Format
Setting Default and Report Options
Setting the Default Layout for Design and Preview Views
Using the 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
APPENDIX A - Mapping
Understanding Maps
Map Layouts
Map Types
Formatting the Map
Drilling Down on Maps
Using the Analyzer Tab for Advanced Mapping
Changing the Geographic Map
Using the Map Navigator
Changing Map Layers
Resolving Data Mismatches
APPENDIX B – Creating an ODBC Data Source to Attach to a Database
Creating an ODBC Data Source to Attach to a Database
Creating an ODBC Connection to Any Database
APPENDIX C - Pre-Qualification Exercise for the Power User Workshop
Why Should You Pre-qualify Yourself for the Power User Workshop?
Pre-qualification Exercise
APPENDIX D – The Xtreme Sample Database
A relational diagram of tables existing the Xtreme Sample
Database provided on the Crystal Reports Installation CD
APPENDIX E - Installation and System Requirements
Review the necessary hardware and operating system requirements to make Crystal Reports operate correctly
APPENDIX F - Function and Operator Locations
A complete listing of all the available Formula Functions and an explanation of the new Custom Functions
APPENDIX G – Glossary
A complete glossary of terms used throughout the book