Mastering Crystal Reports 2011 Made Easy Training Tutorial

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.

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.

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 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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 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.

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.