Using Crystal Reports

Top  Previous  Next

Using Crystal Reports

Top Previous Next

Before you can use Crystal Reports Version 8.5 with the Advantage data files, you will need to complete the following steps:

 

1.

The following files will need to be copied from the \accubld8 directory into the c:\windows directory on the computer where Crystal Reports is installed: ace32.dll, adsloc32.dll, axcws32.dll and ads.ini.

 


In addition, the p2sads.dll file that is also located in the \Accubld8 directory must be copied into the c:\windows\crystal directory.

 

2.

Create a set of free Advantage table files that can be used without an Advantage Data Dictionary.   The company, user and system tables must be in one central location if they are used in one report.  For example, a custom time card batch report will use both user tables and company tables to generate the report.

 

2a.

Create a new directory in AccuBuild called CRTables or something similar.

2b.

Make a copy of all of the company tables, system tables and user tables and paste the files into the new CRTables directory.  Note that some user tables are named the same as some company tables; do not overwrite those tables.

2c.

Using the Windows Explorer, open the C:\Program Files\Extended Systems\Advantage\Arc directory and copy the freeadt.exe program to the \Accubld8\CRTables directory.  Open the freeadt.exe program in the CRTables directory.  Answer Yes to continue on the DOS window that will appear.   All of the files in the CRTables directory will be altered to become a free Advantage table file.

2d.

This set of free tables will need to be updated occasionally as data restructures may occur in various AccuBuild software updates.

 

3.

Next, open Crystal Reports and select File | Options.  Click on the Database Tab.  Disable the Auto-Smart Linking option.

 

embim39

Converting Existing BDE Flat-File Reports To Advantage Reports

embim40

Creating New Reports with Crystal Reports