As I am still new to using Crystal, I asked my IS support person if there was something she recommended that I could get/do that would help me in using Crystal reports with Raiser's Edge data, in addition to my having already taken a class (not from Blackbaud) on Crystal. She told me I should see if I could get the Entity Relationship Diagram because it would help me understand what/how fields/records are linked together. Anybody know where I could find this? If no one has any suggestions I will call Blackbaud support. Denise Stengl All Saints Healthcare Foundation Racine, WI 262.687.2208 [Email Removed]

Look in your help folder on the work station (C:\Program Files\RE7\help or c:\Program Files\Blackbaud\RE7\help) and look for a pdf file called REOpenBook.pdf. That is the manual for RE: Open, which has all the table structures and their relationships. If you can't find it there, you might try BB's web site. I'm sure you can download it somewhere from the site, but I'm not sure where. Sincerely, David Drees Director of Technology Kingdom Building Ministries Denver, Colorado [Email Removed]

I thought RE:Open was an optional module. Do we all have it? Melissa S. Graves Databse Administrator Planned Parenthood of Connecticut [Email Removed] 203-752-2804

Hi, Denise, I'm going to plead my case as to why I don't think this is necessary one more time then I promise to leave you alone. Perhaps an example may illustrate what I am trying to say. I wanted one Const Code and Export created a table called "Constituency" that contained this field. There was also a table created called "Constituent" that contained name and ID. I then decided I needed two Const Codes and changed the export accordingly. After refreshing the Export the Constituency table disappeared and the two Const Codes were now in the Constituent table instead. So understanding the table structure of the RE database wouldn't have helped in this case because Export creates tables based on your needs. Crystal works much differently with the RE Export than with other database applications that allow direct access to the db tables. That's why I said unless you are using Crystal with RE:Open which allows such access I didn't think that concentrating on the table structure would make you more proficient in Crystal. Dee

I purchased the "Crystal Reports for Dummies" book which is great. Lots of examples and exercises to run through. I know its not relating exactly to what your question was but thought it may help in other ways! Tina Saccone Database Administrator National Gallery of Victoria

David, Thank you. I was able to find the PDF file and will review it with my IS support person. Denise Stengl All Saints Healthcare Foundation Racine, WI 262.687.2208 [Email Removed]

Dee, I think I understand what your are saying. But what I am trying to get a better handle on is the linking of tables. If the information is exported into the same table I don't have a problem. So unless I am missing something (which is quite possible) I want to try to understand the linking process. Hopefully my IS support person will be able to help me determine what is relative for my needs. Thanks for your input. Denise Stengl All Saints Healthcare Foundation Racine, WI 262.687.2208 [Email Removed]

Thank you Tina. CR for Dummies is on my list to purchase. I have been to my local book store but they did not have it in stock, at the time. Denise Stengl All Saints Healthcare Foundation Racine, WI 262.687.2208 [Email Removed]

Did anyone try to create Crystal Report right out of the database, without exporting data to MDB file first?

Denise, If you export multiple tables at once, and include them all when creating your Crystal Report (as is described in the BB CR manual), then Crystal Reports links the tables for you, and it displays the linking diagram. Is this not what you're looking for? Cheers, Rikki Prince

Song Lin, AFAIK you cannot do this. You have to create the export. If you have RE:API then you can create an interface to do this, and Blackbaud state this as one of the 'custom jobs' they have done for users. HTH, Rikki

Hi Denise, Can you send me a copy of the REOpenBook.pdf file? I couldn't find it on my workstation. Thanks, Song email: [Email Removed]

Song, I would be happy to but when I open it, it does not allow me to email it directly or to save it to my desktop so I can email it as an attachment. Can you get it off Blackbaud’s website? Denise Stengl All Saints Healthcare Foundation Racine, WI 262.687.2208 [Email Removed]

Song, Another user just posted this on a different thread. It should get you the file that you need. www.blackbaud.com/support/guides/re76/REOpenBook.pdf Denise Stengl All Saints Healthcare Foundation Racine, WI 262.687.2208 [Email Removed]