For example, I'd like to create a report that lists the "Next Steps" (Note type) in a single report that is sorted by Solicitor.  I can add Solicitor, Target and Region and the preview appears fine.  When I add the notes data field in the report and preview it the report is then blank.  Any ideas why??  I'm sure there is a simple solution. 

Related question: Why can you add certain database fields that may or may not include data in a constituent's record and will still show up on the report (region, target, etc.), where as adding other database fields either wipe out the entire report (notes) or don't pull the constituent's record if the field is blank (solicitor)?

Hope some of this makes sense!  Thanks in advance for any assitance you can offer.

Nick

This is probably the most frequently asked question for people who are switching from version 8.5 to version XI.  You need to go into your database expert and change your joins from INNER JOINS to LEFT OUTER JOINS.

The reason that some blank fields behave differently from others is due to the fact that the entire record is blank in one case and only a particular field is blank in the other.  The parent table will never contain a null value (in BB Report Writer Reports), so if the entire child record is blank (including the join field), they will never match.  When you are using INNER JOINS, it will exclude the record from the parent table, because it doesn't meet the join conditions; when you are using LEFT OUTER JOINS, you're telling it to always include the parent record, even if it doesn't meet the join conditions.

I hope this makes sense.

Drew 

 Drew,

Thanks for your prompt post.  The concept makes sense.  Now, how do I change my joins from INNER JOINS to LEFT OUTER JOINS within the database expert?

Thanks,

Nick 

Just a quick qustion on this topic.  Can you change the joins in CR v8.5 in preparation for converting to v11 or, can you only make the changes after upgrading?

Regards

Alan

Alan Kay:

Can you change the joins in CR v8.5 in preparation for converting to v11 or, can you only make the changes after upgrading?

If you have some other reason to convert it to Crystal XI, you'll have to make the change after the conversion.

Drew
 

Thanks Drew

I was thinking on the lines of 'future proofing' my v8.5 custom reports.

Regards

Alan

Unfortunately, the future of RE reporting is MS SQL Server Reporting Services, so updating your Crystal 8.5 reports to Crystal XI won't help you in future proofing your reports.

Drew 

Thank you very much for this reply. It took my a long time to figure out what was happening, but now I understand and I was able to change the joins.

Jolanda Hains

Drew Allen:

Unfortunately, the future of RE reporting is MS SQL Server Reporting Services, so updating your Crystal 8.5 reports to Crystal XI won't help you in future proofing your reports.

Drew 

Drew, does this apply only to the Crystal Reports module and custom reports within RE, or in the future will Crystal Reports as it's own application not work with RE?

Thanks in advance!

I'm not Drew, but thought I'd chime in. Once RE goes to the new platform (Infinity), they will not longer use or support Crystal Reports within the database. It's my understanding that all canned reports will be written with MS Reporting Services. You might be able to use Crystal outside of RE, but it may not be easy?

You are brilliant - thank you!

Stephanie

Verde Valley Medical Center - Arizona

Tracie Cassidy:

I'm not Drew, but thought I'd chime in. Once RE goes to the new platform (Infinity), they will not longer use or support Crystal Reports within the database. It's my understanding that all canned reports will be written with MS Reporting Services. You might be able to use Crystal outside of RE, but it may not be easy?

It is my understanding now that Crystal Reporting outside of RE will not be affected as Crystal pulls reports directly from SQL, and the RE will still be on a SQL platform.

I do not believe that Custom Crystal Reporting pulls from SQL - it pulls from the export you link to it which creates an .mdb file somewhere on your network.  That is not to say that Crystal can not pull from SQL because it can, but any of those crystal reports would be created outside of RE - not under Reports - Custom Reports. It is those users who use the custom reports function in reports who would be affected in some way.

Hi Margaret,

Check out the following Knowledgebase solution for instructions on changing the joins: BB364154.

Hope that you find that information helpful,

Naomi