Migrating complex Crystal reports into MSRS

Hi experts,
I'm considering migrating my crystal reports into MSRS to cut down the
(high licence) costs. Could you pls suggest me if its a right
decision. My reports in crystal reports are very complex in nature and
are data driven.
For example, one of my crystal report
a) displays a blob (binary large object) - pic of the user
b) report fields are derived from a Stored Procedure
c) 3 level grouping (grouping on column a, then column b and then
column c)
d) has a lot of computed fields (with IF ELSE clauses)
e) has 4 subreports (which are highly formatted - layout, field
arrangement etc)
Can I achieve all the above in one report in MSRS? Pls do suggest.
Thanks,Yes.
Question (a): Check
http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/default.asp?url=/library/en-us/rscreate/htm/rcr_creating_layout_v1_0rz9.asp?frame=true
Question (b): Check
http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/default.asp?url=/library/en-us/RShowto/htm/hrs_designer_v1_7kj8.asp?frame=true
Question (c): Check
http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/default.asp?url=/library/en-us/RSCREATE/htm/rcr_creating_structure_objects_v1_3cok.asp?frame=true
Question (d): Check
http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/default.asp?url=/library/en-us/RSCREATE/htm/rcr_creating_expressions_v1_6fhv.asp?frame=true
Question (e): Check
http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/default.asp?url=/library/en-us/rscreate/htm/rcr_creating_layout_v1_2584.asp?frame=true
Also take a look at the sample reports
(http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/default.asp?url=/library/en-us/RSAMPLES/h
tm/rss_samplereports_v1_9pmb.asp?frame=true) that ship with the product
which demonstrate these features.
--
Ravi Mumulla (Microsoft)
SQL Server Reporting Services
This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights.
"MSProgrammer" <MSProgrammer@.discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:6A1AB37F-5B3C-49DC-A8C0-CA50723F8F52@.microsoft.com...
> Hi experts,
> I'm considering migrating my crystal reports into MSRS to cut down the
> (high licence) costs. Could you pls suggest me if its a right
> decision. My reports in crystal reports are very complex in nature and
> are data driven.
> For example, one of my crystal report
> a) displays a blob (binary large object) - pic of the user
> b) report fields are derived from a Stored Procedure
> c) 3 level grouping (grouping on column a, then column b and then
> column c)
> d) has a lot of computed fields (with IF ELSE clauses)
> e) has 4 subreports (which are highly formatted - layout, field
> arrangement etc)
> Can I achieve all the above in one report in MSRS? Pls do suggest.
> Thanks,
>|||Thanks, Rob. Very valuable inputs. Good to know that the migration from CR to RS is smooth. I'm pretty convinced that MSRS comes with wonderful features. However,
1) I'm trying to figure out whether the highly customized formatting, layout etc options that we have in CR are possible in RS too bcoz most of my reports are rich in formatting etc.
2) Can we push an ADO recordset into MSRS (instead of MSRS pulling the data) to create a separation between the report and the underlying data source? This would help us to swap the data source without changing the reports. This is possible in CR and my existing reports are working on this mechanism.
Ravi/Rob - I will appreciate your inputs on the above queries, particularly, the 2nd one.
Thks
"Rob 'Spike' Stevens" wrote:
> I have manually converted between 20 and 30 Crystal Reports so far in the past month (and still going), and I have found that after figuring out a few of the tricks on how SRS does things differently, the conversions go rather quickly.
> Firstly, you may find that you do not need sub-reports anymore, since SRS can supports data regions with diferent data sets.
> Running totals is a bit tricky at the moment in SRS, while Crystal has a more mature wizard for doing the various Running values, but so far I have been able to reproduce all Running sums in SRS - I've has to use the Report's Code section to write a finction that does the summing up for me, and use iif clauses in the grid to determine whe the function is called.
> The big trick is order of execution for data regions...currently it appears the headers and footers of a group level get evaluated before the stuff inside does (an outside-in approach). This causes an issue if you are trying to sum up the First value in a group to get a grand total (currently SRS does not support Aggregates of Aggregates, i.e Sum(First( table.field )) ) The way I got around that problem is to copy and paste the data region immiediately below itself, and set the top most region to invisible and can shrink. This way the Code gets executed before the second data region gets rendered and the totals will be available. The report in design mode looks weird, but in runtime it looks great.
> This board is great for finding other tips and tricks, but in general I'd say the tool isn't as big an issue as one might think, the conversions go pretty smoothly.
> "MSProgrammer" wrote:
> > Thanks, Ravi. I'll go thru all the links.
> >
> > 1) Could you pls let me know when is MS releasing the migration tool? Any inputs on the utility of this tool for migrating Crystal Reports to MSRS.
> >
> > 2) Can we push an ADO recordset into MSRS (instead of MSRS pulling the data) to create a separation between the report and the underlying data source? Thanks.
> >
> > "Ravi Mumulla (Microsoft)" wrote:
> >
> > > Yes.
> > >
> > > Question (a): Check
> > > http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/default.asp?url=/library/en-us/rscreate/htm/rcr_creating_layout_v1_0rz9.asp?frame=true
> > > Question (b): Check
> > > http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/default.asp?url=/library/en-us/RShowto/htm/hrs_designer_v1_7kj8.asp?frame=true
> > > Question (c): Check
> > > http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/default.asp?url=/library/en-us/RSCREATE/htm/rcr_creating_structure_objects_v1_3cok.asp?frame=true
> > > Question (d): Check
> > > http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/default.asp?url=/library/en-us/RSCREATE/htm/rcr_creating_expressions_v1_6fhv.asp?frame=true
> > > Question (e): Check
> > > http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/default.asp?url=/library/en-us/rscreate/htm/rcr_creating_layout_v1_2584.asp?frame=true
> > >
> > > Also take a look at the sample reports
> > > (http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/default.asp?url=/library/en-us/RSAMPLES/h
> > > tm/rss_samplereports_v1_9pmb.asp?frame=true) that ship with the product
> > > which demonstrate these features.
> > >
> > > --
> > > Ravi Mumulla (Microsoft)
> > > SQL Server Reporting Services
> > >
> > > This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights.
> > > "MSProgrammer" <MSProgrammer@.discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
> > > news:6A1AB37F-5B3C-49DC-A8C0-CA50723F8F52@.microsoft.com...
> > > > Hi experts,
> > > >
> > > > I'm considering migrating my crystal reports into MSRS to cut down the
> > > > (high licence) costs. Could you pls suggest me if its a right
> > > > decision. My reports in crystal reports are very complex in nature and
> > > > are data driven.
> > > >
> > > > For example, one of my crystal report
> > > >
> > > > a) displays a blob (binary large object) - pic of the user
> > > > b) report fields are derived from a Stored Procedure
> > > > c) 3 level grouping (grouping on column a, then column b and then
> > > > column c)
> > > > d) has a lot of computed fields (with IF ELSE clauses)
> > > > e) has 4 subreports (which are highly formatted - layout, field
> > > > arrangement etc)
> > > >
> > > > Can I achieve all the above in one report in MSRS? Pls do suggest.
> > > >
> > > > Thanks,
> > > >
> > >
> > >
> > >|||Sorry it has been a while since I got to your questions.
For #1, I'd have to say that it depends on what kinda formatting you are
talking about. I have completed the conversion of over 125 Crystal reports
and I felt that in most cases the appearance and modification of ta
appearance was comperable and superior, respectively. Alternating colors,
drill-down sections with + - controls - and no limit to how many levels of
drilldown (I believe Crystal only goes from main to one sub, with no subs
from subs). So you may find yourself having/wanting to reformat your reports
anyway to take advantage of the new options...there were several reports i
converted that got facelifts because their original look was based on a
workaround for something Crystal couldn't do at the time, or do any more.
In terms of modifying a reports format, I feel SRS is vastly superior. In
Crystal, I'd have reports stuffed full of fields and it took quite a while to
engineer the fonts and spacing to get the look just right; but it never
failed that a request would come in to add another field, and usually in the
middle - and the hours of re-engineering the locations and fonts of all the
fields commenced. SRS makes it far easier to change fonts, add line
graphics, add fields and re-proportion the other fields, and apply large
amounts of conditional formatting. I will caution you, however, that some of
the formatting properties are not all in the same place, or even nest to each
other. Like if you make a field a hyperlink to anywhere (another report,
other website), you have to change the font color to Blue yourself, and you
have to underline it manually as well. If you take the next step and make
the field conditionally a hyperlink, then you have to place an expression in
the Font Color, Action, and Font Decoration properties.
On your second question, MS has indicated that at some point in the future
they will be publishing SRS viewers to be enbedded in websites and
applications, but i still think it will be based on a Pull mechanism. I had
recently changed the datasource of a group of reports from one database
server to another, and the only change I had to make was to the rds file -
the reports never missed a beat.
"MSProgrammer" wrote:
> Thanks, Rob. Very valuable inputs. Good to know that the migration from CR to RS is smooth. I'm pretty convinced that MSRS comes with wonderful features. However,
> 1) I'm trying to figure out whether the highly customized formatting, layout etc options that we have in CR are possible in RS too bcoz most of my reports are rich in formatting etc.
> 2) Can we push an ADO recordset into MSRS (instead of MSRS pulling the data) to create a separation between the report and the underlying data source? This would help us to swap the data source without changing the reports. This is possible in CR and my existing reports are working on this mechanism.
> Ravi/Rob - I will appreciate your inputs on the above queries, particularly, the 2nd one.
> Thks
>
> "Rob 'Spike' Stevens" wrote:
> > I have manually converted between 20 and 30 Crystal Reports so far in the past month (and still going), and I have found that after figuring out a few of the tricks on how SRS does things differently, the conversions go rather quickly.
> >
> > Firstly, you may find that you do not need sub-reports anymore, since SRS can supports data regions with diferent data sets.
> >
> > Running totals is a bit tricky at the moment in SRS, while Crystal has a more mature wizard for doing the various Running values, but so far I have been able to reproduce all Running sums in SRS - I've has to use the Report's Code section to write a finction that does the summing up for me, and use iif clauses in the grid to determine whe the function is called.
> >
> > The big trick is order of execution for data regions...currently it appears the headers and footers of a group level get evaluated before the stuff inside does (an outside-in approach). This causes an issue if you are trying to sum up the First value in a group to get a grand total (currently SRS does not support Aggregates of Aggregates, i.e Sum(First( table.field )) ) The way I got around that problem is to copy and paste the data region immiediately below itself, and set the top most region to invisible and can shrink. This way the Code gets executed before the second data region gets rendered and the totals will be available. The report in design mode looks weird, but in runtime it looks great.
> >
> > This board is great for finding other tips and tricks, but in general I'd say the tool isn't as big an issue as one might think, the conversions go pretty smoothly.
> >
> > "MSProgrammer" wrote:
> >
> > > Thanks, Ravi. I'll go thru all the links.
> > >
> > > 1) Could you pls let me know when is MS releasing the migration tool? Any inputs on the utility of this tool for migrating Crystal Reports to MSRS.
> > >
> > > 2) Can we push an ADO recordset into MSRS (instead of MSRS pulling the data) to create a separation between the report and the underlying data source? Thanks.
> > >
> > > "Ravi Mumulla (Microsoft)" wrote:
> > >
> > > > Yes.
> > > >
> > > > Question (a): Check
> > > > http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/default.asp?url=/library/en-us/rscreate/htm/rcr_creating_layout_v1_0rz9.asp?frame=true
> > > > Question (b): Check
> > > > http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/default.asp?url=/library/en-us/RShowto/htm/hrs_designer_v1_7kj8.asp?frame=true
> > > > Question (c): Check
> > > > http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/default.asp?url=/library/en-us/RSCREATE/htm/rcr_creating_structure_objects_v1_3cok.asp?frame=true
> > > > Question (d): Check
> > > > http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/default.asp?url=/library/en-us/RSCREATE/htm/rcr_creating_expressions_v1_6fhv.asp?frame=true
> > > > Question (e): Check
> > > > http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/default.asp?url=/library/en-us/rscreate/htm/rcr_creating_layout_v1_2584.asp?frame=true
> > > >
> > > > Also take a look at the sample reports
> > > > (http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/default.asp?url=/library/en-us/RSAMPLES/h
> > > > tm/rss_samplereports_v1_9pmb.asp?frame=true) that ship with the product
> > > > which demonstrate these features.
> > > >
> > > > --
> > > > Ravi Mumulla (Microsoft)
> > > > SQL Server Reporting Services
> > > >
> > > > This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights.
> > > > "MSProgrammer" <MSProgrammer@.discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
> > > > news:6A1AB37F-5B3C-49DC-A8C0-CA50723F8F52@.microsoft.com...
> > > > > Hi experts,
> > > > >
> > > > > I'm considering migrating my crystal reports into MSRS to cut down the
> > > > > (high licence) costs. Could you pls suggest me if its a right
> > > > > decision. My reports in crystal reports are very complex in nature and
> > > > > are data driven.
> > > > >
> > > > > For example, one of my crystal report
> > > > >
> > > > > a) displays a blob (binary large object) - pic of the user
> > > > > b) report fields are derived from a Stored Procedure
> > > > > c) 3 level grouping (grouping on column a, then column b and then
> > > > > column c)
> > > > > d) has a lot of computed fields (with IF ELSE clauses)
> > > > > e) has 4 subreports (which are highly formatted - layout, field
> > > > > arrangement etc)
> > > > >
> > > > > Can I achieve all the above in one report in MSRS? Pls do suggest.
> > > > >
> > > > > Thanks,
> > > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >|||Hi MSProgrammer,
Did you every find a satisfactory solution to your question (2)? We have the
same situation where our existing system pushes record sets to Crystal for
rendering and viewing in the web browser. We would like to use MSRS RDL to
define our report templates (like Crytsal RPT files) and then have our engine
"push" result sets thru the RDL for rendering and display.
Thanks in advance,
-Alex
"MSProgrammer" wrote:
> Thanks, Rob. Very valuable inputs. Good to know that the migration from CR to RS is smooth. I'm pretty convinced that MSRS comes with wonderful features. However,
> 1) I'm trying to figure out whether the highly customized formatting, layout etc options that we have in CR are possible in RS too bcoz most of my reports are rich in formatting etc.
> 2) Can we push an ADO recordset into MSRS (instead of MSRS pulling the data) to create a separation between the report and the underlying data source? This would help us to swap the data source without changing the reports. This is possible in CR and my existing reports are working on this mechanism.
> Ravi/Rob - I will appreciate your inputs on the above queries, particularly, the 2nd one.
> Thks
>
> "Rob 'Spike' Stevens" wrote:
> > I have manually converted between 20 and 30 Crystal Reports so far in the past month (and still going), and I have found that after figuring out a few of the tricks on how SRS does things differently, the conversions go rather quickly.
> >
> > Firstly, you may find that you do not need sub-reports anymore, since SRS can supports data regions with diferent data sets.
> >
> > Running totals is a bit tricky at the moment in SRS, while Crystal has a more mature wizard for doing the various Running values, but so far I have been able to reproduce all Running sums in SRS - I've has to use the Report's Code section to write a finction that does the summing up for me, and use iif clauses in the grid to determine whe the function is called.
> >
> > The big trick is order of execution for data regions...currently it appears the headers and footers of a group level get evaluated before the stuff inside does (an outside-in approach). This causes an issue if you are trying to sum up the First value in a group to get a grand total (currently SRS does not support Aggregates of Aggregates, i.e Sum(First( table.field )) ) The way I got around that problem is to copy and paste the data region immiediately below itself, and set the top most region to invisible and can shrink. This way the Code gets executed before the second data region gets rendered and the totals will be available. The report in design mode looks weird, but in runtime it looks great.
> >
> > This board is great for finding other tips and tricks, but in general I'd say the tool isn't as big an issue as one might think, the conversions go pretty smoothly.
> >
> > "MSProgrammer" wrote:
> >
> > > Thanks, Ravi. I'll go thru all the links.
> > >
> > > 1) Could you pls let me know when is MS releasing the migration tool? Any inputs on the utility of this tool for migrating Crystal Reports to MSRS.
> > >
> > > 2) Can we push an ADO recordset into MSRS (instead of MSRS pulling the data) to create a separation between the report and the underlying data source? Thanks.
> > >
> > > "Ravi Mumulla (Microsoft)" wrote:
> > >
> > > > Yes.
> > > >
> > > > Question (a): Check
> > > > http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/default.asp?url=/library/en-us/rscreate/htm/rcr_creating_layout_v1_0rz9.asp?frame=true
> > > > Question (b): Check
> > > > http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/default.asp?url=/library/en-us/RShowto/htm/hrs_designer_v1_7kj8.asp?frame=true
> > > > Question (c): Check
> > > > http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/default.asp?url=/library/en-us/RSCREATE/htm/rcr_creating_structure_objects_v1_3cok.asp?frame=true
> > > > Question (d): Check
> > > > http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/default.asp?url=/library/en-us/RSCREATE/htm/rcr_creating_expressions_v1_6fhv.asp?frame=true
> > > > Question (e): Check
> > > > http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/default.asp?url=/library/en-us/rscreate/htm/rcr_creating_layout_v1_2584.asp?frame=true
> > > >
> > > > Also take a look at the sample reports
> > > > (http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/default.asp?url=/library/en-us/RSAMPLES/h
> > > > tm/rss_samplereports_v1_9pmb.asp?frame=true) that ship with the product
> > > > which demonstrate these features.
> > > >
> > > > --
> > > > Ravi Mumulla (Microsoft)
> > > > SQL Server Reporting Services
> > > >
> > > > This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights.
> > > > "MSProgrammer" <MSProgrammer@.discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
> > > > news:6A1AB37F-5B3C-49DC-A8C0-CA50723F8F52@.microsoft.com...
> > > > > Hi experts,
> > > > >
> > > > > I'm considering migrating my crystal reports into MSRS to cut down the
> > > > > (high licence) costs. Could you pls suggest me if its a right
> > > > > decision. My reports in crystal reports are very complex in nature and
> > > > > are data driven.
> > > > >
> > > > > For example, one of my crystal report
> > > > >
> > > > > a) displays a blob (binary large object) - pic of the user
> > > > > b) report fields are derived from a Stored Procedure
> > > > > c) 3 level grouping (grouping on column a, then column b and then
> > > > > column c)
> > > > > d) has a lot of computed fields (with IF ELSE clauses)
> > > > > e) has 4 subreports (which are highly formatted - layout, field
> > > > > arrangement etc)
> > > > >
> > > > > Can I achieve all the above in one report in MSRS? Pls do suggest.
> > > > >
> > > > > Thanks,
> > > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >|||Today you have to do a data processing extension. Read up on that in RS
help. In the future (Widbey/Yukon) there will be both a winform and webform
control that should (I haven't used it so I say should) do as you want.
--
Bruce Loehle-Conger
MVP SQL Server Reporting Services
"Alex Sorenson" <Alex Sorenson@.discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:7E13CEE3-AF3D-4624-A716-EA03031ECA6D@.microsoft.com...
> Hi MSProgrammer,
> Did you every find a satisfactory solution to your question (2)? We have
the
> same situation where our existing system pushes record sets to Crystal for
> rendering and viewing in the web browser. We would like to use MSRS RDL to
> define our report templates (like Crytsal RPT files) and then have our
engine
> "push" result sets thru the RDL for rendering and display.
> Thanks in advance,
> -Alex
>
> "MSProgrammer" wrote:
> > Thanks, Rob. Very valuable inputs. Good to know that the migration from
CR to RS is smooth. I'm pretty convinced that MSRS comes with wonderful
features. However,
> >
> > 1) I'm trying to figure out whether the highly customized formatting,
layout etc options that we have in CR are possible in RS too bcoz most of my
reports are rich in formatting etc.
> >
> > 2) Can we push an ADO recordset into MSRS (instead of MSRS pulling the
data) to create a separation between the report and the underlying data
source? This would help us to swap the data source without changing the
reports. This is possible in CR and my existing reports are working on this
mechanism.
> >
> > Ravi/Rob - I will appreciate your inputs on the above queries,
particularly, the 2nd one.
> >
> > Thks
> >
> >
> >
> > "Rob 'Spike' Stevens" wrote:
> >
> > > I have manually converted between 20 and 30 Crystal Reports so far in
the past month (and still going), and I have found that after figuring out a
few of the tricks on how SRS does things differently, the conversions go
rather quickly.
> > >
> > > Firstly, you may find that you do not need sub-reports anymore, since
SRS can supports data regions with diferent data sets.
> > >
> > > Running totals is a bit tricky at the moment in SRS, while Crystal has
a more mature wizard for doing the various Running values, but so far I have
been able to reproduce all Running sums in SRS - I've has to use the
Report's Code section to write a finction that does the summing up for me,
and use iif clauses in the grid to determine whe the function is called.
> > >
> > > The big trick is order of execution for data regions...currently it
appears the headers and footers of a group level get evaluated before the
stuff inside does (an outside-in approach). This causes an issue if you are
trying to sum up the First value in a group to get a grand total (currently
SRS does not support Aggregates of Aggregates, i.e Sum(First(
table.field )) ) The way I got around that problem is to copy and paste the
data region immiediately below itself, and set the top most region to
invisible and can shrink. This way the Code gets executed before the second
data region gets rendered and the totals will be available. The report in
design mode looks weird, but in runtime it looks great.
> > >
> > > This board is great for finding other tips and tricks, but in general
I'd say the tool isn't as big an issue as one might think, the conversions
go pretty smoothly.
> > >
> > > "MSProgrammer" wrote:
> > >
> > > > Thanks, Ravi. I'll go thru all the links.
> > > >
> > > > 1) Could you pls let me know when is MS releasing the migration
tool? Any inputs on the utility of this tool for migrating Crystal Reports
to MSRS.
> > > >
> > > > 2) Can we push an ADO recordset into MSRS (instead of MSRS pulling
the data) to create a separation between the report and the underlying data
source? Thanks.
> > > >
> > > > "Ravi Mumulla (Microsoft)" wrote:
> > > >
> > > > > Yes.
> > > > >
> > > > > Question (a): Check
> > > > >
http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/default.asp?url=/library/en-us/rscreate/htm/rcr_creating_layout_v1_0rz9.asp?frame=true
> > > > > Question (b): Check
> > > > >
http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/default.asp?url=/library/en-us/RShowto/htm/hrs_designer_v1_7kj8.asp?frame=true
> > > > > Question (c): Check
> > > > >
http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/default.asp?url=/library/en-us/RSCREATE/htm/rcr_creating_structure_objects_v1_3cok.asp?frame=true
> > > > > Question (d): Check
> > > > >
http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/default.asp?url=/library/en-us/RSCREATE/htm/rcr_creating_expressions_v1_6fhv.asp?frame=true
> > > > > Question (e): Check
> > > > >
http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/default.asp?url=/library/en-us/rscreate/htm/rcr_creating_layout_v1_2584.asp?frame=true
> > > > >
> > > > > Also take a look at the sample reports
> > > > >
(http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/default.asp?url=/library/en-us/RSAMPLES/h
> > > > > tm/rss_samplereports_v1_9pmb.asp?frame=true) that ship with the
product
> > > > > which demonstrate these features.
> > > > >
> > > > > --
> > > > > Ravi Mumulla (Microsoft)
> > > > > SQL Server Reporting Services
> > > > >
> > > > > This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers
no rights.
> > > > > "MSProgrammer" <MSProgrammer@.discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in
message
> > > > > news:6A1AB37F-5B3C-49DC-A8C0-CA50723F8F52@.microsoft.com...
> > > > > > Hi experts,
> > > > > >
> > > > > > I'm considering migrating my crystal reports into MSRS to cut
down the
> > > > > > (high licence) costs. Could you pls suggest me if its a right
> > > > > > decision. My reports in crystal reports are very complex in
nature and
> > > > > > are data driven.
> > > > > >
> > > > > > For example, one of my crystal report
> > > > > >
> > > > > > a) displays a blob (binary large object) - pic of the user
> > > > > > b) report fields are derived from a Stored Procedure
> > > > > > c) 3 level grouping (grouping on column a, then column b and
then
> > > > > > column c)
> > > > > > d) has a lot of computed fields (with IF ELSE clauses)
> > > > > > e) has 4 subreports (which are highly formatted - layout, field
> > > > > > arrangement etc)
> > > > > >
> > > > > > Can I achieve all the above in one report in MSRS? Pls do
suggest.
> > > > > >
> > > > > > Thanks,
> > > > > >
> > > > >
> > > > >
> > > > >|||Thanks for your reply Bruce.
-Alex
"Bruce L-C [MVP]" wrote:
> Today you have to do a data processing extension. Read up on that in RS
> help. In the future (Widbey/Yukon) there will be both a winform and webform
> control that should (I haven't used it so I say should) do as you want.
> --
> Bruce Loehle-Conger
> MVP SQL Server Reporting Services
> "Alex Sorenson" <Alex Sorenson@.discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
> news:7E13CEE3-AF3D-4624-A716-EA03031ECA6D@.microsoft.com...
> > Hi MSProgrammer,
> >
> > Did you every find a satisfactory solution to your question (2)? We have
> the
> > same situation where our existing system pushes record sets to Crystal for
> > rendering and viewing in the web browser. We would like to use MSRS RDL to
> > define our report templates (like Crytsal RPT files) and then have our
> engine
> > "push" result sets thru the RDL for rendering and display.
> >
> > Thanks in advance,
> > -Alex
> >
> >
> > "MSProgrammer" wrote:
> >
> > > Thanks, Rob. Very valuable inputs. Good to know that the migration from
> CR to RS is smooth. I'm pretty convinced that MSRS comes with wonderful
> features. However,
> > >
> > > 1) I'm trying to figure out whether the highly customized formatting,
> layout etc options that we have in CR are possible in RS too bcoz most of my
> reports are rich in formatting etc.
> > >
> > > 2) Can we push an ADO recordset into MSRS (instead of MSRS pulling the
> data) to create a separation between the report and the underlying data
> source? This would help us to swap the data source without changing the
> reports. This is possible in CR and my existing reports are working on this
> mechanism.
> > >
> > > Ravi/Rob - I will appreciate your inputs on the above queries,
> particularly, the 2nd one.
> > >
> > > Thks
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > "Rob 'Spike' Stevens" wrote:
> > >
> > > > I have manually converted between 20 and 30 Crystal Reports so far in
> the past month (and still going), and I have found that after figuring out a
> few of the tricks on how SRS does things differently, the conversions go
> rather quickly.
> > > >
> > > > Firstly, you may find that you do not need sub-reports anymore, since
> SRS can supports data regions with diferent data sets.
> > > >
> > > > Running totals is a bit tricky at the moment in SRS, while Crystal has
> a more mature wizard for doing the various Running values, but so far I have
> been able to reproduce all Running sums in SRS - I've has to use the
> Report's Code section to write a finction that does the summing up for me,
> and use iif clauses in the grid to determine whe the function is called.
> > > >
> > > > The big trick is order of execution for data regions...currently it
> appears the headers and footers of a group level get evaluated before the
> stuff inside does (an outside-in approach). This causes an issue if you are
> trying to sum up the First value in a group to get a grand total (currently
> SRS does not support Aggregates of Aggregates, i.e Sum(First(
> table.field )) ) The way I got around that problem is to copy and paste the
> data region immiediately below itself, and set the top most region to
> invisible and can shrink. This way the Code gets executed before the second
> data region gets rendered and the totals will be available. The report in
> design mode looks weird, but in runtime it looks great.
> > > >
> > > > This board is great for finding other tips and tricks, but in general
> I'd say the tool isn't as big an issue as one might think, the conversions
> go pretty smoothly.
> > > >
> > > > "MSProgrammer" wrote:
> > > >
> > > > > Thanks, Ravi. I'll go thru all the links.
> > > > >
> > > > > 1) Could you pls let me know when is MS releasing the migration
> tool? Any inputs on the utility of this tool for migrating Crystal Reports
> to MSRS.
> > > > >
> > > > > 2) Can we push an ADO recordset into MSRS (instead of MSRS pulling
> the data) to create a separation between the report and the underlying data
> source? Thanks.
> > > > >
> > > > > "Ravi Mumulla (Microsoft)" wrote:
> > > > >
> > > > > > Yes.
> > > > > >
> > > > > > Question (a): Check
> > > > > >
> http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/default.asp?url=/library/en-us/rscreate/htm/rcr_creating_layout_v1_0rz9.asp?frame=true
> > > > > > Question (b): Check
> > > > > >
> http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/default.asp?url=/library/en-us/RShowto/htm/hrs_designer_v1_7kj8.asp?frame=true
> > > > > > Question (c): Check
> > > > > >
> http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/default.asp?url=/library/en-us/RSCREATE/htm/rcr_creating_structure_objects_v1_3cok.asp?frame=true
> > > > > > Question (d): Check
> > > > > >
> http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/default.asp?url=/library/en-us/RSCREATE/htm/rcr_creating_expressions_v1_6fhv.asp?frame=true
> > > > > > Question (e): Check
> > > > > >
> http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/default.asp?url=/library/en-us/rscreate/htm/rcr_creating_layout_v1_2584.asp?frame=true
> > > > > >
> > > > > > Also take a look at the sample reports
> > > > > >
> (http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/default.asp?url=/library/en-us/RSAMPLES/h
> > > > > > tm/rss_samplereports_v1_9pmb.asp?frame=true) that ship with the
> product
> > > > > > which demonstrate these features.
> > > > > >
> > > > > > --
> > > > > > Ravi Mumulla (Microsoft)
> > > > > > SQL Server Reporting Services
> > > > > >
> > > > > > This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers
> no rights.
> > > > > > "MSProgrammer" <MSProgrammer@.discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in
> message
> > > > > > news:6A1AB37F-5B3C-49DC-A8C0-CA50723F8F52@.microsoft.com...
> > > > > > > Hi experts,
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > I'm considering migrating my crystal reports into MSRS to cut
> down the
> > > > > > > (high licence) costs. Could you pls suggest me if its a right
> > > > > > > decision. My reports in crystal reports are very complex in
> nature and
> > > > > > > are data driven.
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > For example, one of my crystal report
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > a) displays a blob (binary large object) - pic of the user
> > > > > > > b) report fields are derived from a Stored Procedure
> > > > > > > c) 3 level grouping (grouping on column a, then column b and
> then
> > > > > > > column c)
> > > > > > > d) has a lot of computed fields (with IF ELSE clauses)
> > > > > > > e) has 4 subreports (which are highly formatted - layout, field
> > > > > > > arrangement etc)
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > Can I achieve all the above in one report in MSRS? Pls do
> suggest.
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > Thanks,
> > > > > > >
> > > > > >
> > > > > >
> > > > > >
>
>sql