how to create automated templates 1

[qster]

Hi,

I'm fairly new to Crystal Reports v. 8.0 and I wanted to find out if anyone knew of how or a way to create an automated format or a set template for Crystal to follow instead of having to create the report manually each time.

The data fields and charts will be the same, just the actual data itself will vary from day to day.

thanks in advance

 

[dgillz]

You have just described a crystal report, you do not have to manually create it every time, just save it. Software Support for Macola, Crystal Reports and Goldmine
dgillz@juno.com

 

[qster]

sorry..
let me clarify more.
I've made and finalized one report.

Now I will have other reports that we be similar with all the data fields being the same (only the data in the fields will be different)

What I wanted to know was if I can use this final report (template) and apply it to new databases using CR and apply the database to the same template as the first one and the data will be different.

eg.
I created the 1st report from database1.
now I'd like to apply the template/format of 1st report and apply it to database2 without going through the manual process or using the report wizard.

 

[Ngolem]

YES...within reason

If all of the tables of database1 are the same as those in database2 then there is no problem...even if the fields themselves of a table are named differently.

Save your report #1

open it again and save as report #2 (so you won't overwrite your good report)

Go to Database|Set Location

choose one of the tables in your report and press the Set Location button....you will now select the new database AND
the table within this new database which corresponds to one that you have just chosen.

Once done...I think you press the "Set" button. Crystal then maps fields from database2 to database1 as best as it can....any that cannot be mapped by CR (eg. the field names are different) will be shown to you so that you can manually map them.

Once this is done...Crystal will repeat the mapping for all other tables in the database....again showing fields that it cannot map for you to complete.

it will even automatically do this for subreports too...but once done check out each subreport since I have found that for some reason once in a while the propogation didn't go to completeness (no problem since you just do this process on the subreport....just a nuisance)

Any fields that cannot be matched are dropped from the report UNLESS they are in a formula then you will have to fix those.

hope this helps...Jim

 

[qster]

hey Jim

Thanks, it works great

Quang