CRS 2008 -Reports with Dynamic Parameters

[Former Member]

Hey Fourmies,

I seem to have a problem with reports with parameters.

In the reports developer, when i set up a dynamic parameter and refresh the report, it asks if i want to use current parameter value or to prompt for parameter value when I select the prompt for parameter values if works fine and a pop-up comes up with all the parameter values - i select one or many and all is fine.

When i upload the report into Crystal Reports Server i configure the database options -again fine, when i go into configure the parameters i see a button with Edit, Clear Value and some checkbox.

I click on edit and, as far as im aware a db config prompt is to come up here but it does not, all that comes up is an empty parameters form, i click ok anyway and the report is incorrectly configured.

I open report in InfoView and a pop-up comes up asking to select the parameters from an EMPTY list.

Please does anyone know whats going on here?

CRS2008 Linux version.

Regards....

[Former Member]

Hi,

Can you try to do the following for the problematic report. However prior to this go to report properties, default settings-> parameters and update the parameters by checking option prompt when viewing.

1) Go to CMC.

2) Go to problematic report, right click on it.

3) Go to refresh option.

4) Check the options.

Record selection formula.

Current and default parameter values.

Group selection formula.

Default database logon information.

Use object repository when refreshing report.

5) Uncheck the option printer options

6) Then click on update and refresh the report

We hope this helps you.

Regards,

[former_member109387]

Ramsudhakar,

The issue he is having is not on the main report, but the dynamic parameter. He will have to verify the LOV runs correctly by running it in the Business View Manager.

[Former Member]

Hi Bryan,

I did say schedule so sorry for the confusion, but my experience has been if you do use the schedule option, and select the run 'Once' option then the parameters do not work. This was XI r2 sp 1 so this may have been a bug, and my approach just a workaround.

I was not aware the RAS did the LOV for on demand. If I am using ActiveX for my main report, rather than adavanced DHTML, then I would need a RAS running for just the list of values. Is this correct?

Regards

Alan

[former_member109387]

I'm not familiar with that issue, but it's impossible to stay on top of everything.

You are correct. If a dynamic parameter LOV is run on demand, it is processed by the Report Application Server. Your RAS has to be running and enabled, and able to connect to your reporting datasource.

The List of Values server has only one job - running scheduled dynamic parameter LOVs.

If I have issues with dynamic parameter LOVs, I typically use the Business View Manager to view the properties of the data connection (<LOV name>_DC), and ensure the database credentials are valid and set to "never prompt". I make sure this is saved, then I go to schedule the LOV as you described. If the LOV status in the Edit window shows a successful instance, I know my LOV works via the List of Values server. Then I clear that instance in the Edit window, and test the LOV to run on demand (using RAS now).

One thing I've observed, is if you open that LOV Edit window while the LOV is still running, it will fail every time. You cannot run it and edit it at the same time. I assume there is a file lock somewhere preventing that.

[former_member109387]

Not really enough information to tell, but it would appear you are not connecting to the database to run the dynamic LOV query. Maybe this will help get you started -

When saving a report with dynamic parameters to the enterprise, you are creating a Business View (BV). The BV contains a handful of repository objects, including a data connection that is created solely to run that LOV query. The data connection credentials (user/password) are not saved when you save the report. To view and modify these properties, you will need to use the Business View Manager from a windows machine - it should be part of a client install.

So beyond the data connection itself (which you should verify works on the server outside the XI application), the dynamic parameters LOV query is run by the Report Application Server (RAS). The RAS runs the query against the database and returns the values. You then select a value from the list, and run the report. So ensure that RAS is up, running, enabled, and the account used to start it has access to whatever database middleware you are using.

[Former Member]

Hi Bradley,

When working with dynamic parameters in the Business View Manager I found you had to schedule the List of Values to get them to work in the portal. Once you had run them once the data would appear.

To do this right-click List of value and select the Schedule option.

One other thing is the list of values server. This can be used in place of the RAS if the viewer is not DHTML. So you might want to ensure that is running as well.

Regards

Alan

[former_member109387]

Alan,

You should not have to schedule dynamic parameters for success. They can be run on demand. When they are run on demand, they use the Report Application Server. So if there is any need to run processing servers as a domain account in order to access reporting databases, you need to include the RAS in this.

Dynamic parameters can also be scheduled as you referred to. How often would depend upon how perishable the data for the LOV is. If it is a list of customers that changes every few days or a week, then scheduling to run that often, and using that list would suffice. If it is point of sale information that changes by the minute, I would recommend running it on demand. If it a list of states, I would recommend a static parameter. When you are scheduling an LOV, it then uses the List of Values Server to execute the query.

Scheduled LOV - LOV server

Run on demand LOV - Report Application Server

then on the main report when it runs

ActiveX, JAVA, DHTML viewer - Crystal Reports Cache Server and Crystal Reports Page Server

Advanced DHTML viewer - Report Application Server only (does it's own cacheing)