A way to import CSV files into Crystal ?

[Former Member]

I need a way to import CSV files into Crystal. NEed to create reports base don large CSV files, and format them and automate the process. Have not been able to figure out how to import data yet. What goo dis reports if you cant import data to create reports on ?

[former_member292966 · Accepted solution]

Hi Mark,

Crystal can connect to a CSV through ODBC, bypassing any other third party program like Excel or Access.

Using the Microsoft ODBC Text driver, you can select your text file and define the data structure.

In Crystal you will now see the datasource you created.

Good luck,

Brian

[Former Member]

Hi There, yeah I have been searching for a way to import a CSV file into Crystal or use a CSV as a data source and the above two options are the only ones I have found. The MS Access method works even though it is a round about way of getting the job done. If you use the first method CREATE NEW CONNECTION > ACCESS/EXCEL (DAO) > MAKE NEW CONNECTION > TEXT then Crystal doesn't automatically seperate the text based on the character that is seperating the text in the file and so you get a single field with the CVS text in it. The only way to utilised this would be to create formula fields that use loops to isolate the text based on the seperating character.

Sorry I haven't been more helpful but I haven't found a better solution either.

[Former Member]

Up front... I'm not claiming that this is the most eligant method to use but it will work.

It will work, that is, if you have MS Access available to you.

I'll assume that you are working in a networked environment, so your 1st step will be to find or create a network share where you have read, write, delete access.

Place your .csv file there and give it a sensible name.

Create an Access .mdb file in the same location.

Create a linked table in Access to to your .csv file. (Just follow the wizard when creating the link)

You can now simply make you Crystal connection to the Access file as normal.

You can swap out old.csv with new.csv, simply by saving the over the old file with the new.

[robert_horne]

Crystal Reports imports data from CSV files by using Access/Excel option of the data source dialog box. Click on it and then on the file type, at the bottom will be listed Text files. Use that to import data from you a CSV file.

<a href="/blog/10">Rob&#39;s blog - http://diamond.businessobjects.com/robhorne</a>;