'Lock' .RPT file against editing? 1

[CraigBest]

Can someone please answer a question for me?

We have a report (.RPT file) we need many people in our company to have access to run for information. But we're worried that some of those users might attempt to edit the .RPT file to change the results.

I remember all the way back to version 4.5 that there was a way of locking, or publishing, a report file so that it could be distributed to users without them being ablt to make changes. However this no longer seems to be a feature in Crystal Reports, I certainly have not been able to find a way to do this in the last few days.

Is this still possible to do? Can someone tell me how to do it?

Thanks in advance

Craig in NJ

 

[dgillz]

What version of crystal are you using?

Software Sales, Training, Implementation and Support for Exact Macola, eSynergy, and Crystal Reports

 

[CraigBest]

Sorry, 8.5

 

[dgillz]

Assumming you own the develop edition of crystal 8.5, you can download the report compiling and distribution expert from the BO website.

From this you can create a .exe which will execute the report but not let the users modify it in any way. This tool used to ship on the Crytal CD but no more. Please be advised that in version 9 and above of Crystal, even this is not an option as they have taken away the report compiler completely.

If you do not have the developer edition, you need to purchase a crystal reports viewer and let the users access the reports thru the viewer rather than letting them have access to the crystal reports designer.


Software Sales, Training, Implementation and Support for Exact Macola, eSynergy, and Crystal Reports

 

[synapsevampire]

The idea of not trusting people is always an odd one to me.

They can always export the report to Excel and do whatever they'd like to the results.

You can also place the report in a folder and set the attributes to READ ONLY.

In addition to dgillz suggestion, with CR 8.5 came the companion product, Crystal Enterprise Standard which allows for viewing reports on the WEB.

There are also 3rd party Viewers:

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

-k

 

[CraigBest]

Okay, thanks, I'll look into it. Unfortuantely I think our support agreement ran out some time ago, BO's site doesn't seem to want to let me in.

 

[CraigBest]

<< The idea of not trusting people is always an odd one to me. >>

Me too, but it's an accounting application and they are somewhat paranoid about their data.

<< They can always export the report to Excel and do whatever they'd like to the results. >>

Yup.

<< You can also place the report in a folder and set the attributes to READ ONLY. >>

We tried that, but the users were able to save as... into a different directory

<< In addition to dgillz suggestion, with CR 8.5 came the companion product, Crystal Enterprise Standard which allows for viewing reports on the WEB. >>

Not an option for us, management would not spring for the server component to allow it.

Thanks

 

[kenhamady]

This only works if thee user doesn't have full CR. Using the compile feature still requires providing an RPT to the user. Same with most viewers. If the person has Crystal they can still open the RPT and change it.

The only solution I have seen is with the Data Link Viewer which allows you to distribute an encrypted RPT called an RPZ file. An RPZ can only be run from within DLV, and it can't be exported to RPT format or otherwise made available to a person who has CR.

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

http://www.kenhamady.com/

- TEK2(AT)kenhamady.com