Beginner question - Writing reports for other users

[Former Member]

Hello all! - Very simple and basic question. I was wondering if Crystal Reports will work for me before I dive feet first (think safety!) into writing reports. I have a client who has a MRP system that is written in FoxPro. I'm familiar with FoxPro and SQL and normally, I will write queries for them and dump the results to Excel. They need to be able to query the reports that I give them. For example, I will write a report that combines multiple tables and lots of data but they need to be able to query the data for pariticular inventory numbers or Shop Order numbers. That being said, some users are very, very (did I say very?) lacking in computer skills. I see I can add parameters and filters and so on but will the end user have to know how to do this to query the data? I was thinking about a report with a text box that says, "Enter Inventory Number" and then the report would refresh and show the data. Also, I wouldn't want the user to make changes to the report, just query it. I could see the report getting trashed or losing links in a short amount of time. So I guess my questions are this:

1. Is there an easy interface for the end user to use for searching withing the report or querying the data to show only what they search for?

2. If not, is there a way to make it so they can query the report but not make their own reports or change the report layouts and fields?

3. Would they require a full version of Crystal Reports to view the reports that I write?

I have to make this as easy as possible for them to navigate. Any help, input, comments, suggestions, are welcomed!

Thanks!

Michelle 🙂

[abhilash_kumar]

Hi Michelle,

You'd need:

1. A copy of Crystal Reports Designer for yourself to create reports

2. Crystal Reports Server or another inexpensive third-party product to view, schedule reports (some are listed here: http://kenhamady.com/productlinks/default.html)

-Abhilash

[TammyPowlas]

I'm not sure how you are deploying Crystal to your users but ours have a query viewer where they can query the Crystal Report on demand and not change the actual Crystal report. This is a very common use of Crystal as I see it - for non-technical users.