Crosstab long varchar fields

[Former Member]

Is there a reason why I can't use long varchar fields in a crosstab report? Is there maybe a limit on the length of a string field that crosstabs will work with?

I'm just learning Crystal, but no other report writer I've used seems to have this issue.

[abhilash_kumar · Accepted solution]

Hi Phil,

I don't know the reason why we cannot use memo fields in a crosstab; all I know is it doesn't work!

Could you try this thouh:

Create a formula on the Memo Field. Try something like this:

Left({database_field},10)

Then, use this formula in the Crosstab.

-Abhilash

[Former Member · Accepted solution]

Thanks Abhilash, that does work, but a bit of a pain for non-tech users to deal with.

Guess I now need to go create some 'Crystal-cross-tab-able' views so that my users don't have to jump through the hoops.

[abhilash_kumar · Accepted solution]

Hi Phil,

Does the long varchar field actually contain "long" strings"?

If it doesn't and if you do not wish to modify the column in the database, I would recommend that you create a "Command Object" and use a conversion function (like case/convert) to convert it to varchar if that is feasible.

This way you would not have to create a manual crosstab.

-Abhilash