Producing Credit Bureau file format out of Crystal 10?

[plarson3]

Does anyone have any experience/thoughts on using Crystal to convert data into a specific file format, in this case, the Metro II Credit Bureau format?

 

[synapsevampire]

You might not limit yourself so much if instead you described the file format or a link to the specification.

-k

 

[plarson3]

Thanks for the response. The Metro II file spec is many pages thick.

I guess I should be more specific with my dilemma. As a relatively new Crystal developer, I am wondering if it makes sense (or is feasable) to use Crystal to pull in data, format it to some very specific file specs, and then export the .rpt file to another file format. I don't need a report here really, just the end result file.

The alternative is to do some standard Java programming to get the data and generate the file. So the real question here is, can Crystal save us some work.

My guess it only saves us work if someone out there has already done this and can share.

 

[Turkbear]

HI,
Report designer tools like Crystal are good at what they were designed to do, not so good at other stuff they could do but probably shouldn't -

I cannot imagine trying to get Crystal to retreive and format the data into a form usable by your target app would be easier than using a Java program and/or Database tools - depending on the Database - to do that..

 

[synapsevampire]

I agree with Turk for the most part, but it depends on th complexity of the required output, which you've given no indication of.

I would probably go with a SQL based solution, but since we don't even know what database is being used, it's pretty hard to advise.

Yes, Crystal can out put files, and it does support text output, however formatting can be tricky.

If you'd like specifics, you must post them, a quick blurb of an inquiry shouldn't be expected to result in very good results.

-k

 

[IdoMillet]

One issue is the fact that you need to play with page sizes to allow very wide text exports. This can be solved by using a UFL (see list at

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

that can create/append content to a text file).

The logic required to transform the data in your system to the data required by the standard can be done quite nicely through report generator formulas (particularly if you are not comfortable with other tools (SQL, Data Junction, DTS).

hth,
- Ido

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

http://www.MilletSoftware.com

 

[plarson3]

IdoMillet -

Do you mean 'report generator formulas' within Crystal?

 

[IdoMillet]

Yes. Formulas are an easy & familiar way to control the transformation of data into the required export format.

Cheers,
- Ido

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

http://www.MilletSoftware.com