Crystal Reports 2008: Level 2

Course Specifications

Course Description

Until now, you have used Crystal Reports to build and modify reports. You want to use the advanced functionality of Crystal Reports to generate reports in the format you desire. In this course, you will create complex reports and data sources using Crystal Reports' tools. You will not only create more sophisticated reports including subreports and cross-tabs, but you will also increase the speed and efficiency of your reports by using SQL queries.

Hardware Requirements

For this course, you will need one computer for each student and one for the instructor. Each computer will need the following hardware components at a minimum:

• An Intel® Pentium® III or higher (Pentium IV-class recommended)
• 256 MB RAM (512 MB RAM recommended)
• A 5 GB hard disk or larger if you use Windows XP Professional as your operating system. You should have at least 600 MB free hard-disk space available for Microsoft Office installation.
• Access to one of the following: a local CD-ROM drive, a local DVD drive, or access to a networked CD-ROM drive.
• A mouse or other pointing device.
• Network cards and cabling for local network access.
• Internet access (see your local network administrator).
• A projection system to display the instructor's computer screen.

Platform Requirements

• Microsoft® Windows® XP

Software Requirements

• Microsoft® Windows® XP Professional® or Vista®.
• A custom installation of Crystal Reports® 2008.
• A default installation of Microsoft® Office® 2007.
• An installed print driver. (Printers are not required; however, each PC must have an installed printer driver to use Print Preview.)
• A default installation of the free Adobe® Acrobat Reader® 8.0 application.

Performance-Based Objectives

• create automatic and manual running totals.
• work with cross-tab reports.
• add subreports.
• create drill-downs in a report.
• use SQL statements in report processing.
• create complex formulas.
• add charts to reports.
• enhance report functionality.

Course Content

Lesson 1: Creating Running Totals

Topic 1A: Create a Running Total Field

Topic 1B: Modify a Running Total Field

Topic 1C: Create a Manual Running Total

Lesson 2: Working with Cross-Tabs

Topic 2A: Create a Cross-Tab Report

Topic 2B: Format a Cross-Tab Report

Topic 2C: Create Groups in Cross-Tab Reports

Lesson 3: Adding Subreports

Topic 3A: Insert a Subreport

Topic 3B: Edit a Subreport

Topic 3C: Share Variables

Lesson 4: Creating Drill-Downs in a Report

Topic 4A: Create a Drill-Down

Topic 4B: Create Headings for Drill-Down Data

Lesson 5: Using SQL Statements in Report Processing

Topic 5A: Create a Report Using SQL Queries

Topic 5B: Summarize Report Data

Topic 5C: Create Joins Using SQL

Topic 5D: Create Subqueries

Topic 5E: Create a SQL Expression Field

Lesson 6: Creating Complex Formulas

Topic 6A: Work with Loops

Topic 6B: Work with Arrays

Lesson 7: Adding Charts to Reports

Topic 7A: Create Charts

Topic 7B: Create a Chart with a Drill-Down

Topic 7C: Create a Top N Chart

Topic 7D: Create a Cross-Tab Chart

Topic 7E: Create Charts for Grouped Data

Topic 7F: Format a Chart

Topic 7G: Create a Chart Template

Lesson 8: Enhancing Report Functionality

Topic 8A: Organize Data Based on a Hierarchy

Topic 8B: Create a Dynamic Image

Topic 8C: Create a Report Alert

Topic 8D: Create a Geographic Map

Appendix A: Managing Reports

Appendix B: Processing Data on the Server

Appendix C: Detecting and Fixing Problems