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Crystal Reports 7.0/7.01 Basic Skills

Overview
(2 Days)

Students will learn the basics of report creation including sorting, grouping, linking, basic formula creation, working with report experts and how to distribute reports to other users.

Performance-based Objectives

Lesson objectives help students become comfortable with the course, and also provide a means to evaluate learning.  Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

  • Plan the needs for your report including data as well as appearance.

  • Become familiar with components of the Crystal Reports application window.

  • Create reports based directly on database information, use a report expert or create a copy of an existing report.

  • Add, modify and remove report objects such as data fields, text objects, file information, graphics or decorative lines and boxes.

  • Format the appearance of your report using font, color, border and number choices.

  • Change the selection criteria and sort order of your data.

  • Create subtotals, grand totals and summaries for your report data.

  • Create, edit and delete formulas. Understand Crystal’s formula language.

  • Understand linking concepts then create and modify your own links.

  • Identify and control Crystal’s report sections.

  • Distribute your reports to those who need the information through a variety of methods.

Course Content

Lesson 1: Overview

  • Examine the application’s capabilities

  • Think about the steps necessary to create reports

  • Review reports and databases to be used in class

  • Modify the program default settings

  • Use help

Lesson 2: Creating Basic Reports

  • Identify the sections of the report

  • Create a new report

  • View your report as it will print

  • Format your report by changing the size and position of the fields

  • Enhance your report by adding a report title and changing the font attributes of your labels

  • Add page numbers and other document information as well as a company logo or other graphic in your report

  • Save your report

Lesson 3: Selecting and Sorting Records

  • Use the Select Expert to limit records Topic title

  • Add an additional selection criterion using the "And" statement

  • Change the selection criteria to use the "Or" statement

  • Sort records

Lesson 4: Grouping and Summarizing

  • Define a single level group Topic title

  • Define a multiple level group

  • Modify grouping options

  • Insert subtotals and grand totals

  • Insert summary fields

  • Use Top N/Sort Group Expert

Lesson 5: Using the Report Expert

  • Create new reports using the Standard Report Expert

  • Create new reports using the Mailing Labels Report Expert

  • Edit a report created using an Expert

Lesson 6: Basic Cross-Tabs

  • Understanding cross-tab reports

  • Use the Cross-Tab Expert

  • Edit your cross-tab report

  • Modify cross-tab layout options

  • Format your cross-tab report

Lesson 7: Linking

  • Understand relational database basic concepts

  • Create links using the Visual Linking Expert

  • Examine Link Options

  • Look at the difference between PC and SQL links

Lesson 8: Creating Formulas

  • Understand Formula Components

  • Create new formulas using the Formula Editor

  • Make changes to formulas

  • Create and use String formulas

  • Create and use Date functions

  • Work with summary formulas

  • Create and use If-Then-Else functions

Lesson 9: Formatting Sections

  • Review sections

  • Resize sections in Design view

  • Use the Section Expert

  • Create Summary and Drill Down reports

Lesson 10: Report Distribution

  • Identify exporting options

  • Compile a report

  • Work with compiled reports