EXEC RPT from BATCH

[HiHeidi]

Can you launch a crystal report from a batch report? Help with specifics.. thanks!

 

[synapsevampire]

What's meant by a batch report?

You can embed reports as subreports (Insert->subreport and place them in numerous section which are created by right clicking a section and selecting insert section below) within a main report and run numerous reports at once.

Otherwise you might use a scheduling progam to do this, aside from Crystal's offering, which is Crystal Enterprise, there are numerous 3rd party products, check:

http://www.kenhamady.com/bookmarks.html

-k

 

[HiHeidi]

I'm referring to a DOS batch report. We have a batch process that runs and want to launch a crystal report from this process once the program is done.

-H

 

[synapsevampire]

No, Crystal doesn't support DOS command line execution.

-k

 

[chelseatech]

However there are third party products out there that will run a report from the command line.

Check out my site and Ido Millet as I know we both have utilites that will do this. Ken Hamady has the most complete list of 3rd party software vendors.

Editor and Publisher of Crystal Clear

http://www.chelseatech.co.nz/pubs.htm

 

[synapsevampire]

Chelsea: I plugged Ken's site in an earlier post, I used to just plug yours and Ido's site until I received a not so gentle reminder that there are other products out there

-k

 

[IdoMillet]

Thanks for mentioning my software, guys.

Just came back from the annual Crystal user group meeting in Vancouver. Throughout the 3 days of the conference, you can walk into a room and get one-on-one sessions with Crystal's tech support staff.
If memory serves, next annual meeting is in New Orleans.
S.V. & Chelsea, submitting a presentation proposal is a simple process and it's fun meeting people from Tek-Tips. Think about it... )

Yes, batch files can trigger processing (printing/exporting/bursting/e-mailing) of crystal reports by Visual CUT.

I have one customer who has pushed this concept further than I had imagined: he generates a batch file dynamically using a SQL Server Stored Procedure.
The resulting "monster" batch file (hundreds of lines, each invoking a different report) contains command line arguments that override saved parameter values within Visual CUT. Among other things, this allows him to print "cover pages" (using a different paper source) between print jobs.

Cheers,
- Ido

CUT, Visual CUT, and DataLink Viewer:
view, e-mail, export, burst, distribute, and schedule Crystal Reports.

http://www.MilletSoftware.com

 

[synapsevampire]

Hmmm, n'awlinz might prove just the perfect backdrop of thieves and debauchery required to deal with those Crystal folk

Hope it was a success for you, Ido, let's read of anything significant you came back with.

-k

 

[IdoMillet]

lol...

One significant thing I cam back with was the realization that Crystal is very serious about turning CE into an easier and more powerful key component not only for web deployment of reports but also for providing useful services (business views, security, ...) to fat client (Crystal Report Designer) reporting.

The demonstrations were impressive. I just hope they are also keeping enough focus on enhancing the report designer itself (I'm not convinced they do).

S.V., could you fire an e-mail to me? The contact info I have for you seems to be out of date.

Regards,
- Ido

CUT, Visual CUT, and DataLink Viewer:
view, e-mail, export, burst, distribute, and schedule Crystal Reports.

http://www.MilletSoftware.com

 

[kenhamady]

I didn't get go to the conference but am interested in hearing from folks who did. Maybe Ido could start a NEWS thread for folks who went to share what they learned.

Ken Hamady, On-site Custom Crystal Reports Training & Consulting
Public classes and individual training.
Expert's Guide to Formulas / Guide to Crystal in VB

http://www.kenhamady.com/

- tek@kenhamady.com