Question about distribution of reports

[ston]

Hello,

I'm new to CR 8.5. I've created some reports that I now want to distribute for users to modify the data and not modify the fields that I've created.


What is the best way to distribute these forms? How can I prevent users from modifying the fields? Also is there an automatic scheduling mechanism built in?

Thanks for any info.

 

[IdoMillet]

Crystal doesn't let users "modify the data", but if you mean View the report but not modify it, you have three main options:

1. Compiled Reports (up to but not including CR 9.0:

http://support.crystaldecisions.com/communityCS/TechnicalPapers/compiled_reports.pdf.asp

2. Give the users a Crystal Report "Viewer". For a list of commercially available viewers, see:

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

3. Use a "Report Manager" to schedule exporting/e-mailing of reports to users (in a format such as pdf). For a list of commercially available "Report Managers", see:

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

You can also go for web deployment of reports.

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

http://www.MilletSoftware.com

 

[kenhamady]

If a user has purchased the Crystal Reports program, there is very little you can do to prevent them from modifying the report. Are you writing an application to launch the reports? 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

 

[GJParker]

If the users have the crystal reports program you would need to change the file authority to read only then they couldn't overwrite your original report. Gary Parker
Systems Support Analyst

 

[ston]

I'm not writing an application to launch the reports. I just have a bunch of reports that sales people need access to enter data into the fields.

 

[chelseatech]

Users can interact with a report that has parameters. Ie one sales rep can type in his area code and look at his customers sales figures, while another can select his area and will get a different list of customers.

But they can't change "Fields". That is data in the DB, and CR is read only. It looks, but is not a DB update program. Editor and Publisher of Crystal Clear

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