1. Add an image to the report (Insert | Picture). This image will act as a placeholder.  Ensure that the placeholder is the same size as the one that will be dynamically loaded, otherwise the image will be scaled.
2. Change the image’s Graphic Location:
   • right click image
   • select Format Graphic…
   • select Picture tab
   • click the conditional-formula button (looks like x+2)
   • set the formula’s text to the name of the formula or parameter field that will contain the image’s URL
   • save the formula and click the OK button
3. Save the report

Download

Crystal Report Dynamic Image Sample

ContentLocale

Crystal Reports XI introduced a keyword named ‘ContentLocale’. This keyword returns the machine’s locale setting (e.g. ‘en_US’ for English (US)).  This value is set in Windows’ Regional Settings Control Panel.

However, this keyword can only be used in formulae that are executed during the report’s Second Pass. The following Record Selection Formula, for example, will generate an error:

{my_table.localeName}=ContentLocale

Custom Functions

This keyword, however, can be used in combination with a Report Custom Function to dynamically and transparently apply localization settings when a report is viewed, even reports that have been saved with data or have been scheduled using Business Objects Enterprise.

//——————————————————————————–
// Return a localized string for a given Key and Language.
//——————————————————————————–
Function (Stringvar Key, Stringvar Language)

//define array of keys that are used by Formula fields
Stringvar Array Keys:=["COUNTRY","REGION","CITY"];

//define an array of localized strings for each required language; ensure localized strings are same position as the Key array (correlated arrays).

//determine which array to use
Stringvar Array Values;
Select Language
Case “en_US”: Values:=["Country","State","City"]
Case “it_IT”: Values:=["Paese","Dichiari","Citta"]
Case “fr_FR”: Values:=["Pays","S","C"]
Default: Values:=["Country","State","City"]
;

//set value’s default value to the Key; useful for debugging purposes.
Stringvar value:=Key;

//iterate through Key array…
Numbervar i;
for i := 1 To Ubound(Keys) do (
//if value in array matches the specified value, return the value from the localized array
if Keys[i] = Key then (
value:=Values[i];
exit for
)
);

//return value
value;

Formula Fields

Create a Formula Field that will act as a label for each desired Key.  Add it to the report’s canvas.

//{@Country}
getLocalizedString (“COUNTRY”, ContentLocale)

//{@Region}
getLocalizedString (“REGION”, ContentLocale)

//{@City}
getLocalizedString (“CITY”, ContentLocale)

Advantages

• Rapid development and deployment.
• Executes during ‘view’ time.
• Can be saved to Repository and shared with other reports.

Limitations

• Crystal Reports is required to maintain the logic and publish changes to the Repository.
• Array of Key/Values limited to 1000 items.

Summary

This approach should help ease the burden of localizing the labels contained in a Crystal Report.

Download

Sample report
Sample database

Fortunately, this functionality can be approximated by building a formula that manually counts the records. This formula, excuted during the report’s ‘WhileReadingRecords’ phase, will increment a Global variable. To work correctly, this formula will need to reside in the report’s Details section.

To build a report that uses this functionality, follow these steps:

1. Create a formula named ‘Records’.
2. Set the formula’s text to be:
   //Excute this formula as records are read into the report
WhileReadingRecords;
//define a variable that is available throughout the 'main' report
Global Numbervar Records;
//increment the variable
Records:=Records+1;

3. Place this field in the report’s Details section. Suppress the field by checking ‘Suppress’ check box on the Format Editor’s Common tab.
4. Create a new Page Header section by right-clicking the Page Header section and choose ‘Insert Section Below’ from the context menu.
5. Right-click the newly-created Page Header and choose ‘Section Expert…’ from the context menu. Check the ‘Underlay Following Sections’ checkbox.
6. Click the Conditional-Formula Editory button to the right of the ‘Suppress’ checkbox. Set the formula’s text to:
   //If the field isn't null, suppress the section; the field will only be null when
//the report does not contain data.
Not(Isnull({@Records}))

7. Add a Text Object to the report containing the desired message. Place the Text Object in the newly-created Page Header section.
8. Test the report.

Report with Data

Report without Data

Sample Report

Objective

Give the report

Instructions

Create the Sql Server Components

A Sql Server user-defined function (see Sql Server: DateRanges Function) will dynamically create the values that are needed for the this project. This function needs a Sql Server view (see Sql Server: GetNow View) to generate the system’s current date/time.

Create Data Connection

1. Open the Business View Manager and log in.
2. Create a new Data Connection.
3. Configure the Data Connection to attach to the appropriate Sql Server database.
4. Save the Data Connection as ‘Sql Server DC’.

Create a Data Foundation

1. In the Business View Manager, create a Data Foundation.
2. Select ‘Sql Server DC’ as the Data Connection.
3. Save the Data Foundation as ‘Sql Server DF’.

Create a Business View

1. In the Business View Manager, create a Business View.
2. Save the Business View as ‘Sql Server BV’.

Create a Command Object

1. Create a Command Object in the Data Foundation. Add the following text to the Command Object:

SELECT *
FROM dbo.DateRanges()
ORDER BY Sequence DESC

2. Save the Command Object as ‘DateRanges’.

Create a Business Element

1. Create a new Business Element in the Business View Manager.
2. Add the Description and Value fields from the ‘DateRanges’ Command Object.
3. Save the Business Element as ‘DateRanges’.

Add Business Element to Business View

1. Open the Business View.
2. From the ‘Insert’ menu, select ‘Insert Business Elements…’.
3. Locate and select the ‘DateRanges’ Business Element, click ‘Add’, then ‘Close’.

Create the List of Values

1. Create a new List of Value in the Business View Manager.
2. Select the desired Business View from the ‘Select Business View’ window.
3. Enter ‘Date Range LoV’ in the ‘Name’ textbox.
4. Expand the ‘DateRanges’ Business Element in the ‘Available Fields’ list.
5. Select ‘Value’, then click the ‘>’ button.
6. Check ‘Sort by Value in Descending Order’.
7. Choose ‘Description’ from the ‘Description Field’ dropdown list.
8. Click ‘OK’ to save the List of Values.

Examine Repository

Open the Repository Explorer in the Business View Manager. The list of objects for the Date Range Parameter should resemble this list:

Create the Dynamic Parameter

1. Create a new report using Crystal Reports XI.
2. Connect to the Repository that contains the ‘Sql Server BV’ Business View.
3. Create a new parameter, named ‘Date Range’. Leave the ‘Prompt Group Text’ textfield blank.
4. Select ‘Dynamic’ from the ‘List of Values’ dropdown list.
5. Select the Existing radio button and choose ‘Date Range LoV’ from the list.
6. Click ‘Create Parameter’ in the ‘Parameters’ column of the ‘Choose a Data Source’ group.
7. Set ‘Prompt Text’ to ‘Choose Date Range’.
8. Set ‘Sort Order’ to ‘Descending by Value’.
9. Set ‘Prompt With Description Only’ to ‘True’.
10. Click ‘OK’ to save the parameter.

Modify the Report

1. Add the CDateTime Custom Function to the report (see Crystal Reports: CDateTime).
2. Add a Custom Function named ‘getDateRange’ (see below) to the report.
3. Edit the Record Selection Formula. Add the following code:
   //set the database field to the value that is extracted from the 'Date Range' parameter
{table.date_field} IN getDateRange({?Date Range})
4. Add a formula field to display the date range. Add the following code to the formula:
   CStr(Minimum(getDateRange ({?Date Range}))) + " - " + CStr(Maximum(getDateRange ({?Date Range})))
   Add the formula field to the report.

Summary

When the report is run, the parameter form will resemble:

Dynamic Date-Range Parameter Sample

getDateRange Custom Function

'--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
'Author: Craig Buchanan;craig.buchanan@cogniza.com
'Purpose: Convert a string value into its equivalent Date Range
'Parameters: text - a string in the format index;startDate:endDate
' or index;NamedDateRange
' e.g. 1;1/1/2006:12/31/2006 or 2;MonthToDate
'Returns: Date Range
'--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Function getDateRange (text as string) As Date Range
If Instr(text,";")=0 Then Exit Function
Dim value as string: value = Split(text,";")(2)
If Instr(value,":")=0 Then
getDateRange = CDateRange (value)
Else
Dim startDate as Date: startDate = Cdate(Split(value,":")(1))
dim endDate as Date: endDate = cdate(Split(value,":")(2))
getDateRange = startDate to endDate
End If
End Function