SAP Crystal Reports 2020 (and earlier versions)

We'll find the official website, and install Crystal Reports.

Let's now run Crystal Reports for the very first time, and have a quick look around. Afterwards, let's start creating our very first report, by selecting a Data Source.

Let's go through quickly the rest of the Create Report wizard, and actually create our first report.

We'll find out the difference between design and preview, and then alter our report by adding another field. We'll then save our report and close Crystal Reports - job done.

We'll move our data source, then open our previously saved report, and then see the danger/advantages with saving the report as we have done, and how to update the location of our data source.

Let's create a new report from scratch. We'll start from getting a data source, but we'll have a look in more detail at the choices available.

We'll create a new report from scratch, and see how not very different it is from using the wizard.

We'll look at the order that our report is currently ordered in, and see if we can sort it in another way.

We'll discuss why we might want some grouping, and then add some grouping to our report, and then manage it.

Sometimes you might not want all of the records to show - maybe you want to limit it to big order amounts, or specific Ship Via providers. Let's see how to do that

Let's bring this all together in an exercise, and use the Orders Details table that I added a while ago to create a new report.

Why would you want to format anything? Let's discuss it, and see how we can open the formatting dialog box.

We also need to be able to format the colors and fonts used, and add and customise borders. Let's find out how to do this.

In addition to borders and font, there are some formatting features which are common to multiple types of field. Let's explore them, including Suppress and Suppress when duplicated.

Text, just like numbers and dates, have some unique basic formatting objects. Let's see what they are - and while we're at it, let's look at boolean fields (Yes/No or True/False values).

Numbers can be formatted in all sorts of ways. Let's find out how to format numbers, and how to change them throughout the report.

Sometimes you only want the date (or part of a date) to show; other times, it might be the time. And you may want them to be shown in a specific format. Let's find out how to do it, and how to change them globally.

You may need a logo on your documents, add missing text boxes, and use a line or box to separate groups. Let's do that now.

Having objects mal-aligned and badly sized can take all the pleasure out of reading a report. Let's make sure we can put things where they belong.

Sometimes you need to separate fields out vertically. Let's find out why (e.g. Can Grow) and how you solve this problem.

We have currently used a hard-coded filter. Let's change that filter, and see how easy it is to do.

Let's see how we can limit the range of values that the user can type, and change the prompt and other things.

Sometimes a chart communicates better than a thousand words. Let's insert a bar chart, and have a look at the options.

Now that we've seen how to insert a bar chart, let's change the type of chart. We'll investigate bar, line, area, pie and doughnut charts, both in their side-by-side, stack and proportional varieties.

Let's complete our view of all of the different types of charts, by looking at a few of the more esoteric varieties.

You don't have to have a chart summarise the entire report. Let's see what happens when we put it into a Group Header, and show the information for that day or month only.

Drilling down allows you to focus on a subsection of the report, perhaps with additional detail. Let's see how to do it, and how you use to with various levels of detail.

Now we need a bit of thought about subreports. Let's think about what we need, and do it. Also, let's find out how to do the equivalent of a PivotTable.

Now we've got this subreport, let's link it to the main report, so that it only shows the Ship Via that we are interested in. Also, let's try and add the date component to it as well.

What are these formulas, and why might you want to create them? Let's look into some of the reasons why you might need them, and how you can start creating them. The simplest formula isn't really a formula - it's just the name of a field or parameter. Let's find out how we can pass fields and parameters into formulas.

Let's make a small detour into special fields, such as inserting the page number in the footer, and see how it swings right back to formulas.

Returning different values based on different criteria is one of the most powerful things in formulas. Let's see how this is implemented in Crystal Reports. Also, True and false. Lots of formulas return these, such as AND and OR. Let's look at a few. We'll also explore a few alternatives to IF, such as IIF, SWITCH and CHOOSE.

Sometimes a string parameter needs altering, or used in an If formula. Let's see what's available, including the String function.

I was told there would be no math! Sorry, sometimes it's necessary. Let's see how we can manipulate the fields and parameters with mathematical functions.

Closely related to mathematical functions, let's find out about some summary functions - a good summary might be worth a thousand pages.

I'm late. I'm late, for a very important date. No time to say goodbye - hello - I'm late, I'm late, I'm late. Or am I. Let's use some date formulas to see.

Going back to Level 6, we had the problem where not all of the entries in a particular month were shown. Let's correct that now.

Now we have done all of this work on formulas, we can finally link our subreport correctly, so that it shows all of the month's transactions. Also, maybe you want to filter for all transactions last year to date. Let's have a look at some advanced filtering topics, and how they relate to formulas.