Mastering Crystal Reports 2011 Made Easy Training Tutorial

Create a new blank report in Crystal Reports 2011, 2008, or 11 from the start page, and select a data source with the database expert or a wizard.

Explore the database expert dialog to select and connect to data sources, use folders like current connections, favorites, and history, then add data and set the report datasource.

Set up data connections with DAO or ODBC, selecting Access or Excel files and other sources, configure security, and finish the data source to enable report manipulation.

Create a new ado.net xml connection in Crystal Reports, enter the file path or dot net dataset provider, optionally use datasets from a class or project, then finish.

Learn to create data connections in Crystal Reports 2011 using the open dialog, select folders and file types, and choose a data source; try other connection types if needed.

Use the java beans connectivity in Crystal Reports to specify a java data source via a dialog, after installing jre or jdk and configuring registry entries.

Create a database connection by selecting JDBC or JNDI, entering the driver class name, optional JNDI name, credentials, and then choosing a data source before finishing.

Open the ODBC Ardeo dialog to create an ODBC connection to a data source; select the DSN or connection string, enter credentials, and finish the setup for Crystal Reports.

Connect Crystal Reports to an OLAP data source using the OLAP connection browser, browse or add OLAP servers, and open the selected database or cube.

Create an OLE DB data connection using a data link file, choose a provider, browse for the data link file, edit properties, and finish setup for Office 2007/2010 data.

Create a data connection to Salesforce.com by clicking the plus sign beside the Salesforce.com folder under create new connection, then enter your user id and password and click finish.

Learn to create a data connection to SAP BW MDX data in Crystal Reports 2011, log on with client credentials, enable trace files, view empty data, and finish the connection.

Create a data connection to SAP info sets via the database expert, select the F-86 system, and optionally generate R-S.C. trace files to monitor remote calls to the SMP system.

Create a data connection to existing SAP operational data stored in a NetWeaver business warehouse, connect to an SFP system, and optionally enable R-S-C trace files to track remote calls.

Learn to create a SAP data connection in Crystal Reports 2011, connect to a system, enter credentials, enable trace files, and filter tables with wildcards in the data explorer.

Create a data connection to a universe on the business objects enterprise server by selecting the system, entering credentials, and choosing authentication, open a universe, and design a query.

Connect Crystal Reports 2011 to XML content and web services by creating a new connection in the database expert, choosing local or web service data sources, and finishing with authentication.

Connect to the business objects enterprise repository by selecting the system, entering credentials, choosing authentication, and clicking ok, then use a stored business view as your report data source.

Learn how Crystal Reports 2011 connects to data sources, including primary and secondary databases, AD and X databases, file systems, Exchange logs, Outlook, and ERP systems, via the database expert.

Open a data source in the database expert dialog, explore tables, views, and stored procedures, add needed tables to the report, configure links, then click OK to finalize.

Add data connections to favorites, rename them, and delete unused ones using the database expert dialog box in Crystal Reports.

Explore the data explorer to manage data connections in Crystal Reports; log on and off servers, delete unused connections, and access the dialog via files or database menus.

Add data fields from the data source to a Crystal Reports layout using field explore, insert to report, or drag and drop. Fields appear in the detail section with headers.

Select a field in the field explorer and click browse to view the first records and the field’s data type, aiding field width decisions in design.

Learn to select, move, and resize fields in Crystal Reports 2011 using selection with the mouse, resizing handles, and alignment guidelines to achieve consistent layout and labeling.

Apply the size command to synchronize width and height of selected fields, then use the align command to arrange them in the report design view via menu bar or right-click.

Insert a text object into a Crystal Reports 2011 report with the text object command and crosshair, type text, edit by double-clicking, and insert database fields via field explore.

Save your design work frequently using the save as dialog, choose a folder and file name, then click save; future saves overwrite unless you save as to copy.

Preview a report with live data from the data source using print preview, switch between design and preview tabs, refresh data, and navigate x of y pages.

Learn how Crystal Reports preloads data for preview, refreshes to show current data via the print preview toolbar or menu, and auto-refreshes when fields, formulas, or criteria change.

Explore how tables form the core of relational databases, detailing fields and records. See how primary keys and foreign keys link employees and orders for reporting.

Learn to link multiple tables in Crystal Reports by using auto link, edit joins, set join types, and control the order of joins for accurate report results.

Learn how to join employees and orders by linking common fields of the same data type and use inner, left outer, right outer, and full outer joins.

Master how to enforce joins and set link types in Crystal Reports 2011, including not enforced, enforced from, and the common equals join that shapes the report data.

Apply formatting to selected report objects in Crystal Reports 2011 using the formatting toolbar and format editor dialog box. Navigate color palettes and object-specific tab options in the format editor.

Explore the Crystal Reports 2011 format editor, mastering object naming, text and number formatting, fonts, borders, date time styles, hyperlinks, subreports, and graphics for precise report design.

Draw and format lines in Crystal Reports 2011 by using insert line, dragging to create vertical or horizontal lines, and adjusting style, width, color, and printing options.

Learn how to draw and format boxes in Crystal Reports 2011 to highlight data, using the insert box tool, drag to size, adjust borders, fill, shadows, and page break options.

Use the format painter to copy formatting from a source report object to multiple destinations, saving time on reformatting. Data-type constraints limit what transfers.

Format a portion of text within a text object, such as bolding a word in a title, by entering edit mode, selecting, and applying formatting via toolbar or right-click.

Apply a pre-created format with the template expert to your Crystal Reports, then edit, undo, or reapply the last template to tailor borders, shading, and other formatting.

Insert pictures into Crystal Reports 2011 by using the insert picture button or the insert menu, select a graphic from the open dialog, and format it like other report objects.

Use the select expert to filter report data by choosing a field from the report or underlying tables and applying criteria with operators like is equal to or is like.

Use the select expert dialog to create multiple filters, add tabs, choose fields, set operators, and enter criteria so records meet all conditions, and learn to apply or criteria.

Edit the selection formula created by the select expert to join multiple filters with and or logic, view the formula, and apply changes by clicking the ok button.

Sort reports using the record sort expert to choose fields and sort order, including multiple fields, ascending or descending, and rearrange or remove fields before applying.

Use the group expert to create field groupings and subtotals, sort the report data, and customize group names for clear employee sales summaries.

Use the group expert to create and manage multiple groupings in a report, with insert group, change group options, and design view tools to edit, delete, and reorder groups.

Create and manage groupings to perform summary calculations for each unique value, insert summaries into group footers or the grand total, and apply percentage options.

Apply hierarchical grouping in Crystal Reports 2011 to visualize and sort data by parent-child relationships, such as employee ID and supervisor ID, and enable summarize across hierarchy options.

Learn to sort report groups by their calculated subtotals using Crystal Reports 2011's Group Sort Expert, choosing from no sort, top/bottom, or percentage options, with ties and others handling.

Learn to insert special fields into Crystal Reports 2011 using the field explorer, placing page numbers, data dates and times, the file path and name, and other report data.

Set page and margin options in Crystal Reports using the page setup dialog box, reset margins to default or enter values, and choose paper size, orientation, units, or no printer.

Open the report, choose file, and open the print setup to configure printer, paper size, tray source, and orientation; reset to default if needed, then click ok.

Click the print button in the standard toolbar or select file, print to open the print dialog; select all, current, or a page range, and set copies.

Master crystal and basic syntax to write complex formulas in Crystal Reports, reference fields and other formulas, apply functions and operators, and use comments for clarity.

Explore the Crystal Reports formula workshop, mastering the formula editor and formula expert to create formulas, custom functions, and complex expressions for selecting records and calculating values.

Create and manage formula fields in Crystal Reports using the formula workshop, field explorer, or formula editor; name, build, check syntax, and place fields in report sections.

Master crystal syntax for crystal reports formulas, including writing single and multiple expressions with semicolons, using braces for references, and concatenating strings with the plus operator and the trim function.

Explore the basic syntax for Crystal Reports, referencing fields, returning values via the formula variable, using special functions like report title and on first record, and understanding the data types.

Use the function and operator trees in the formula workshop, click help to open Crystal Reports online help for the selected function, and learn its purpose and required arguments.

Learn to apply conditional formatting with the highlighting expert in Crystal Reports 2011, using fields, operators, and color, font, and border options to meet criteria.

Master the section expert to control the appearance of report sections in design view, set background and conditional colors, manage paging, and apply layout and column options.

Apply conditional formatting to a report section by using the formula editor to set true/false conditions, such as coloring a section green when a sum exceeds 650000.

Apply conditional formatting to report fields with the format editor dialog box and formula editor in the formula workshop, selecting a field and saving.

Manipulating multiple sections in Crystal Reports lets you add, insert, merge, and reorder report sections—report header, page header, detail, report footer, and page footer—to craft advanced layouts and conditional messages.