Seagate Crystal Reports 7 For Dummies [Paperback]

Douglas J. Wolf (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 10, 1999 | ISBN-10: 0764505483 | ISBN-13: 978-0764505485 | Edition: 1

Businesses all over the world rely on Crystal Reports to turn dull data into compelling reports that become critical decision-making tools. Now, with Crystal Reports 7 and Seagate Crystal Reports 7 For Dummies, you can use your current database program to create reports that look great, from simple one-table reports to integrated presentations with all the bells and whistles.

Crystal Reports is the simple solution to the problem of generating reports. Whether you're a beginner or a seasoned Crystal Reports user, and whatever your database software, Seagate Crystal Reports 7 For Dummies opens up a whole new world of high-performance information management. Discover helpful advice on how to know what questions to ask before you start researching your report and how to use new Crystal Reports 7 features (such as Geographic Mapping, the Highlighting Expert, Running Totals, and tools for creating Web-ready reports). Customize reports for your audience by creating cross-tab and summary reports, and add new levels of snap and sophistication with graphs, pictures, logos, and embedded objects. Master the art of selecting, sorting, and grouping report records, and save time by inserting ready-to-use or custom formulas into your reports. Link your databases and distribute your finished reports through your Web site as HTML, Excel, or runtime files.

You don't need to be a database guru to make Crystal Reports the most important part of your arsenal of data management tools. Just grab this great, plain-speaking guide and start work today.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

The best resource you can buy if your job requires you to know how to use Crystal Reports is Seagate Crystal Reports 7 for Dummies--it will get you up to speed on the latest version of Crystal Reports in a hurry. In this book, you'll learn everything you need to know about Crystal Reports without the time and expense involved in taking a class.

Wolf gives a crash course in the basics. He quickly and clearly explains what a table is; then he shows how to extract information from one and present that information as a report. Readers find out how to add, delete, and arrange report fields, and then they learn how to format reports attractively once the needed data is present. Wolf uses the Extreme database--which ships with Crystal Reports--in many of his examples, so it's easy to precisely follow his demonstrations on your own machine before delving into your enterprise's database.

Wolf shows how to put together a tailored database query with the help of the Select Expert, explaining the purpose of each of the Expert's options in the process. Readers find out how to make data more useful by ordering it, performing calculations on it (you'll find excellent documentation of the Crystal Formula reporting language), and creating graphics based on it. There's also information on performing high-level data analysis with cross-tabs and relational joins. --David Wall

From the Back Cover

Crystal Reports "Cheat Sheet" Inside!

Use Your Current Database Program to Create Reports that Look Great ... and Make Sense! Businesses all over the world rely on Crystal Reports to turn their data into reports that become critical decision-making tools. With Seagate(r) Crystal Reports(TM) 7 For Dummies(r), you can create reports that tell a clear, compelling story, from simple one-table reports to integrated presentations with all the bells and whistles. Whether you're a beginner or have experience using Crystal Reports, and whatever your database platform, this terrific guide opens up a whole new world of high-performance information management.

Inside, find helpful advice on how to:
* Move reports out of your computer and onto your desk in minutes
* Know what questions to ask before you start researching your report
* Discover how to use new Crystal Reports 7 features such as report creation to the Web, Geographic Mapping, Highlighting Expert, Running Totals, and more
* Customize for your audience by creating cross-tab and summary reports
* Distribute reports through your Web site, as HTML, Excel, or runtime files
* Make your reports stand out with graphs, pictures, logos, and OLE objects
* Select, sort, and group report records
* Save time by inserting ready-to-use formulas into a report or creating your own with the Formula Editor
* Link databases and use SQL join types

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 408 pages
• Publisher: For Dummies; 1 edition (May 10, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0764505483
• ISBN-13: 978-0764505485
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 7.4 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,947,134 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

I began my writing career in the form of love letters to a young woman I was smitten with. I was probably 14 years old. In high school, being fairly opinionated I edited the school newspaper and wrote the editorials. I wrote about everything from world politics to the lunch service and I deliberately copied William F. Buckley in style and his overuse of esoteric words.

Finding myself married with a baby and no job, I met a man on the tennis court who became my literary agent. 90 days later I was the author of "The Quick and Easy Guide to Lotus 123" and got a check for 5K in royalties 6 months later. I had found my life's calling, or so I thought. It was never again that easy.

I subsequently wrote the first ACT! book, the first Dummies book on Crystal Reports and have kept writing tracts that explain the complex subject of software to the hoi pollio.

My most recent book is Marketing Me Book: The Complete Plan to keeping your job in any economy.

My interest in politics has never waned and my next book will be on the American empire.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

25 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Great Book for people in a hurry, June 22, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Seagate Crystal Reports 7 For Dummies (Paperback)

The company i work for purchased Crystal Reports for a report conversion proyect and i had never used this software before and in couple of hours i was creating some basic to complicated reports. I recomend this book for anyne who need to get hands on fast.

22 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I was using Crystal Reports in less than an hour!, May 27, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Seagate Crystal Reports 7 For Dummies (Paperback)

My company purchased Crystal Reports as the main utility for pulling data from our large relational database. I had never seen Crystal before much less used it. I got my hands on this book today at 12:30 p.m. By 1:17, I was pulling data and manipulating reports like a pro. I would recommend this book to anybody who has to learn Crystal in a hurry.

10 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Superb initial introducton to the topic!, May 25, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Seagate Crystal Reports 7 For Dummies (Paperback)

I purchaced the book when offered a positon and it provided a firm foundation for an entry level introduction to Seagate's Crystal Reprts. I sincerely recomend the book to individuals with an introductory to moderate level of exprience with the software although lacking in detail.