Crystal Reports Level 1

Audience:

This course is ideal for those who are new to Crystal Reports.

Prerequisites:

Working knowledge of Windows 2000/XP/Vista environment is required. Familiarity with relational database concepts (tables, fields and records) is strongly recommended.

Description:

This two-day interactive workshop was designed for new users of Crystal Reports 2008 and Crystal Reports 2011. Some of the topics covered include a review of the software features, report design and the creation of presentation quality reports. The course incorporates a number of hands-on exercises to reinforce the learning process.

Outline:

Lesson 1: Creating a Report

• Topic A: Starting the Crystal Reports Program
• Topic B: Starting a New Report
• Topic C: Choosing a Data Source
• Topic D: The Main Components of the Design Window
• Topic E: Exploring the Toolbars
• Topic F: Managing Resources with Explorers
• Topic G: Placing Fields on the Report
• Topic H: Selecting and Sizing Objects
• Topic I: Browsing Field Data
• Topic J: Moving and Aligning Objects
• Topic K: Using Guides and Guidelines to Move and Align Objects
• Topic L: Creating Text Objects
• Topic M: Saving the Report
• Topic N: Auto-saving the Report
• Topic O: Previewing the Report
• Topic P: Refreshing the Data
• Topic Q: Using the Status Bar
• Topic R: Getting Help

Lesson 2: Formatting Features

• Topic A: Quick Formatting with the Template Expert
• Topic B: Using the Format Painter
• Topic C: Formatting Objects
• Topic D: Inserting Lines and Boxes
• Topic E: Inserting Graphics
• Topic F: Working with the Page Commands
• Topic G: Changing Page Orientation
• Topic H: Changing Margins
• Topic I: Working with Text Objects
• Topic J: Adding Fields into a Text Object
• Topic K: Formatting Part or All of an Object
• Topic L: Inserting Special Fields
• Topic M: Challenge Exercise – Formatting Features

Lesson 3: Database Filters

• Topic A: Filtering Data with the Select Expert
• Topic B: Selecting Records with Multiple Criteria
• Topic C: Viewing and Editing the Select Formula
• Topic D: Case Sensitive vs. Case Insensitive
• Topic E: Record Selection Formula Templates
• Topic F: Challenge Exercise - Selecting Specific RecordsChallenge Exercise - Selecting a Range of Values

Lesson 4: Report Grouping

• Topic A: When and Why to Group Records
• Topic B: Creating a Group
• Topic C: Group and Sort Direction
• Topic D: Customize Group Name Field
• Topic E: Modifying Groups
• Topic F: Creating Multiple Groups in a Report
• Topic G: Using the Group Tree to Navigate the Report
• Topic H: Reordering Groups
• Topic I: Using the Sort Control
• Topic J: Summarizing Groups
• Topic K: Additional Summary Options
• Topic L: Grouping Data in Date/Time Intervals
• Topic M: Calculating Percentages
• Topic N: Ordering Groups Based on Their Subtotals Using the Group Sort Expert
• Topic O Challenge Exercise - Grouping, Sorting, Summarizing
• Topic P: Challenge Exercise - Calculating Percentages

Lesson 5: Multiple Table Joins

• Topic A: Understanding Tables, Records, and Fields
• Topic B: Learning About Linking
• Topic C: Adding Multiple Tables to a Report
• Topic D: Challenge Exercise - Using the Database Expert to Link Tables

Lesson 6: Creating Formulas

• Topic A: Understanding Crystal Formula Syntax without Being a Programmer
• Topic B: About the Formula Workshop
• Topic C: Using the Formula Workshop
• Topic D: Using the Formula Editor
• Topic E: The Formula Editor Toolbar
• Topic F: Performing Simple Number Calculations
• Topic G: Manipulating Dates with Formulas
• Topic H: Creating Boolean (True/False) Formulas
• Topic I: Creating String Formulas
• Topic J: Using Bookmarks to Navigate Through Formulas
• Topic K Challenge Exercise - Creating String Formulas Challenge
• Topic L: Exercise – Creating String Formulas
• Topic M: Challenge Exercise – Doing Calculations
• Topic N: Challenge Exercise – Subtracting Dates
• Topic O: Challenge Exercise – Using Nested If Statements

Lesson 7: Conditional Formatting

• Topic A: Formatting Sections
• Topic B: Formatting Sections Conditionally
• Topic C: Conditionally Formatting Fields
• Topic D: Challenge Exercise - Section Formatting and Conditional Formatting
• Topic E: Summary Reports and Charts

Lesson 8: Creating a Summary Report

• Topic A: Applying the Drill Down Feature
• Topic B: Applying the DrillDownGroupLevel
• Topic C: Producing Charts
• Topic D: Editing Charts
• Topic E: Formatting Charts
• Topic F: Using the Chart Options
• Topic G: Modifying Individual Objects in the Chart
• Topic H: Applying Chart Templates
• Topic I: Challenge Exercise - Creating a Summary Report
• Topic J: Challenge Exercise – Charting

Lesson 9: Exporting Reports

• Topic A: Understanding Export Formats and Destinations
• Topic B: Using a PDF Format for Crystal Reports
• Topic C: Exporting to Windows Applications
• Topic D: Exporting to a Report Definition Format

Lesson 10: Report Wizards

• Topic A: What are the Report Wizards?
• Topic B: Create a Report Using the Standard Report Creation Wizard
• Topic C: The Data Dialog Box
• Topic D: The Fields Dialog Box
• Topic E: The Grouping Dialog Box
• Topic F: The Summaries Dialog Box
• Topic G: The Group Sorting Dialog Box
• Topic H: The Chart Dialog Box
• Topic I: The Record Selection Dialog Box The Template Dialog Box
• Topic J: Challenge Exercise - Create a Report Using a Report Wizard

Lesson 11: Mapping

• Topic A: Understanding Maps
• Topic B: Map Layouts
• Topic C: Map Types
• Topic D: Formatting the Map
• Topic E: Drilling Down on Maps
• Topic F: Changing the Geographic Map
• Topic G: Using the Map Navigator
• Topic H: Changing Map Layers
• Topic I: Resolving Data Mismatches

Lesson 12: Before You Begin

• Topic A: Defining the Purpose of the Report
• Topic B: Determining the Layout of the Report
• Topic C: Finding the Data
• Topic D: Organizing the Data for the Report
• Topic E: The Workbench

Lesson 13: Setting Default and Report Options

• Topic A: Setting the Default Layout for Design and Preview Views

Lesson 14: The Northwind 2008 Database

• Topic A: A relational diagram of tables existing the Northwind 2008 database provided with the Designer 1 class files

Lesson 15: Glossary

• Topic A: A complete glossary of terms used throughout the book