Crystal Reports 8.0 Basic Skills (2-Days)

Course description

Overview: Students will learn the basics of report creation including sorting, grouping, linking, basic formula creation, working with report experts and how to distribute reports to other users.

Performance-based objectives

Lesson objectives help students become comfortable with the course, and also provide a means to evaluate learning. Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

·         Plan the needs for your report including data as well as appearance.

·         Become familiar with components of the Crystal Reports application window.

·         Create reports based directly on database information, use a report expert or create a copy of an existing report.

·         Add, modify and remove report objects such as data fields, text objects, file information, graphics or decorative lines and boxes.

·         Format the appearance of your report using font, color, border and number choices.

·         Change the selection criteria and sort order of your data.

·         Create subtotals, grand totals and summaries for your report data.

·         Create, edit and delete formulas. Understand Crystal’s formula language.

·         Understand linking concepts then create and modify your own links.

·         Identify and control Crystal’s report sections.

·         Distribute your reports to those who need the information through a variety of methods.

Course Content

Lesson 1: Overview

Examine the application’s capabilities

Think about the steps necessary to create reports

Review reports and databases to be used in class

Modify the program default settings

Use help

Lesson 2: Creating Basic Reports

Identify the sections of the report

Create a new report

View your report as it will print

Format your report by changing the size and position of the fields

Enhance your report by adding a report title and changing the font attributes of your labels

Add page numbers and other document information as well as a company logo or other graphics in your report

Save your report

Lesson 3: Sorting and Selecting Records

Sort records

Use the Select Expert to limit records

Add an additional selection criterion using the "And" statement

Modify composite formulas and the selection criteria statement

Lesson 4: Grouping and Summarizing

Define a single level group

Define a multiple level group

Modify grouping options

Insert subtotals and grand totals

Insert summary fields

Insert percent of the total fields

Insert grand total summary fields

Use Top N/Sort Group Expert

Lesson 5: Using the Report Expert

Create new reports using the Standard Report Expert

Create new reports using the Mailing Labels Report Expert

Edit a report created using an Expert

Lesson 6: Basic Cross-Tabs

Understanding cross-tab reports

Use the Cross-Tab Expert

Edit your cross-tab report

Modify cross-tab layout options

Format your cross-tab report

Lesson 7: Linking

Understand relational database basic concepts

Create links using the Visual Linking Expert

Examine Link Options

Look at the difference between PC and SQL links

Lesson 8: Creating Formulas

Understand Formula Components

Create new formulas using the Formula Editor

Make changes to formulas

Create and use String formulas

Create and use Date functions

Work with summary formulas

Create and use If-Then-Else functions

Lesson 9: Formatting Sections

Review sections

Resize sections in Design view

Use the Section Expert

Create Summary and Drill Down reports

Lesson 10: Distributing Data

Identify exporting options

Export a report into office suite applications

Create a report using spreadsheet data

Discuss Web browser options to view reports on-line