SQL Server query tools

[jgg10]

Can someone recommend querying tools (other than Crystal Reports) for SQL Server? Thanks.

 

[databarn]

Well,<br>
<br>
What version of the beast? 6.5 has a fairly decent SQL tool that can be installed on Win95/Win98 boxes as well as NT boxes. And 7.0's MMC insert (Query Analyzer, I think it's called) does a nice job. If you run the install CD for either of the above beasts on a Win9x box, it will prompt you to install the client tools only (including web-based management of NT Server, Back Office, and IIS).<br>
<br>
Or are you looking for something more along the lines of a report engine?

 

[jgg10]

We are using Version 6.5. I am looking more specifically for a report engine.<br>
<br>

 

[bigfoot]

We recomend Crystal Reports 7.0 to our customers. It is much better then the past versions.

 

[databarn]

'much better', he says &lt;grin!&gt;!<br>
<br>
bigfoot,<br>
<br>
I've been battling Crystal Reports since version 1.0 (It wasn't Crystal then, it was QuikReports - if I didn't spell incorrectly). v7.0 is the first one I've been able to explain to my boss and turn her loose with it. But, it still has that 'many-to-many' default that drives me up a wall &lt;3K grin!&gt;.<br>
<br>
jgg10,<br>
<br>
bigfoot has the right of it. There just isn't much better around right now than Crystal 7.0. If you are doing a lot of server-side stuff, or need to do scheduled (canned) reports, Crystal Info 7.0 is a server-based version that really rocks. Especially since you can get a 50-seat version of it from Seagate for real-live-absolutely free.<br>
Advantage to Info over Reports is the ability to schedule server-intensive reports for off-peak hours, as well as setting up dictionaries, then alloowing managerial types to go in anc 'create' their own reports. Some other benefits, too, like NT log reporting, Outlook/Exchange reporting, etc..<br>
<br>
Make a good day . . .<br>
. . . barn<br>
<br>

 

[jnicho02]

If you are interested in giving users the ability to create their own reports (a dangerous suggestion I know) how about an enterprise reporting tool such as Business Objects?<br>
<br>
Of course, the area should be approached with care, as giving users access to a complicated data structure could be more trouble than it's worth. However tools like BusObj provide a 'universe' layer that knows how the data is structured and provides a simplified view.<br>

 

[Madsam]

We use SQL Server for a data warehouse at the University of Nebraska. If you want to look at blow-by-blow instructions on how to use common desktop applications, such as Access, Excel, Lotus 123, Word, etc., you can find configuration details at:

http://www.nulook.uneb.edu/train/connect/index.html

and "How to use the tool" instructions at

http://www.nulook.uneb.edu/train/tutorial/index.html<br>

<br>
These are pretty decent instructions that you might want to share with your customer community -- Word documents containing the same are downloadable, if desired.<br>
<br>
Regards, madsam