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

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

To start, edit the multi-select parameter. You may want to include instructions on how to use the parameter in the Prompting Text–something like ‘Select one or more countries. Select ‘ALL’ for all countries.’

Next, click the ‘Default Values…’ button. If the parameter is a string, type ‘ALL’ in the ‘Select or enter value’ text box, if the parameter is a number type -1. Click the ‘>’ button to add the value to list of default values.

If the parameter is a number click the ‘Set Description…’ button, enter ‘ALL’ in the ‘Description’ text box, then click ‘OK’. If you want to hide the numeric values, select ‘Description’ from the ‘Display’ drop-down list.

In either case, use the up arrow at the top right corner of the ‘Default Values/Description’ listbox to ensure that ‘ALL’ is at the top of the list. This will make it easier to select ‘ALL’ when the report is run. Click ‘OK’ to exit the ‘Set Default Values’ window, then click ‘OK’ to exit the ‘Edit Parameter Field’ window.

Next, open the report’s Record Selection Formula Editor. If the {?Countries} parameter is a string, add the following text:

(If {?Countries}<>'ALL' Then
{Customer.Country} IN {?Countries}
Else
True)


If the {?Countries} parameter is a number, add the following text:

(If {?Countries}<>-1 Then
{Customer.Country} IN {?Countries}
Else
True)


Essentially, if the parameter’s value isn’t ALL, then the filter is applied. Otherwise, the filter is ignored.

When the report is run, the word ‘ALL’ will be displayed first in the list of values for the parameter. Clicking ‘Add’ will set the parameter’s value to ‘ALL’.

Summary

In addition to making your report more flexible, this techniques will make it easier to deploy, manage and schedule your report in Crystal Enterprise.

Samples

Crystal Reports 10 – Advanced Parameter Sample

Instructions

To get started, create a report using the Xtreme sample database. Add the ‘Customer’ table to the report. Next, insert a group on the ‘Customer Name’ field. Finally, suppress the Report Header, Page Footer and Report Footer sections.

Right-click the group’s footer and select ‘Insert Section Below’. This will create a section section immediately below the current section. You should see two sections: Group Footer #1a (GF1a) and Group Footer #1a (GF1b).

GH1

Add a text object to this section, then add all relevant mailing-address fields to this text object.

Create a formula field named ‘PageNumberIncr’. Add the following text to its formula text:


WhilePrintingRecords;
Numbervar nPage := nPage+1;


Add this field the group header section, then suppress it. This formula will increment a page counter every time the group header section is create, which is once per customer.

Details

Add text object with the letter’s message.

GF1a

This setting will make this section act like the letter’s page footer. Right-click the section and select Section Expert… Check ‘Print at Bottom of Page’, then click ‘OK’ to close the dialog window.

Create a formula field named ‘Page N of M’. Add the following text to its formula text:


//Use this field if you only want to count the front of each page
WhilePrintingRecords;
Numbervar nPage;
"Page " & ToText(nPage,0) & " of " & ToText(TotalPageCount/2,0)


Add this filed to the GF1a section, size it to be the width of the section, then click the ‘Align Center’ toolbar button.

GF1b

This section will act as the back page of the form letter. Resize the section to be nearly a full page in length–for starters, try 9.5″. Next, insert an image or text object that contains your terms and conditions into this section. Finally, right-click the section’s name and select Section Expert… Check ‘New Page Before’ and ‘New Page After’, then click ‘OK’ to close the dialog windows.

Summary

If you don’t have access to a duplex printer, print the odd-numbered pages (the fronts) first, return these pages to the printer (making sure to orient the pages correctly), then print the even-number pages (the backs).

Sample

Crystal Reports 10 – Include Terms and Conditions on a Form Letter