Product Description

The most definitive resource on Crystal Reports available! Create presentation-quality reports using the most powerful data analysis tool and this comprehensive guide. Crystal Reports 8.5: The Complete Reference explains in detail how to use the software to analyze and format data, generate reports, and perform advanced interactive reporting from the Web. Also, learn to develop custom applications and incorporate any Crystal Report into your Windows applications.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #392192 in Books
• Published on: 2001-10-26
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 799 pages

From the Back Cover
The Most Comprehensive Crystal Reports Resource Available

Get the most out of Crystal Reports 8.5 and produce winning reports and documents using this one-stop reference. Ideal for both beginning and advanced users, this in-depth resource covers fundamental and complex topics with clarity and precision. You'll learn how to develop and design simple reports, use maps and charts, report from SQL databases, and integrate Crystal Reports with your custom Visual Basic applications. You'll also be introduced to Crystal Enterprise, which allows for fast and efficient Web delivery. Written by a Crystal Decisions certified consultant and trainer, this expert reference will show you everything you need to know to take full advantage of this leading report writing and analysis tool.

• Design and produce simple, yet professional-looking reports and presentations
• Use enhanced formulas to fully customize your reports
• Export reports to different file formats--including PDF
• Maximize report performance with your SQL database
• Customize Crystal Enterprise to integrate Web report delivery into your intranet or the Internet
• Create custom Visual Basic reporting applications
• Learn all about Windows and Web report integration with Visual Studio .NET

About the Author
George Peck (Evergreen, CO) is a software trainer, consultant, and developer with more than 20 years of experience in the computer industry.

Customer Reviews

Not much different than Crystal's own manual
I purchased this book as a reference. Fortunately, I had a separate training course for learning the Crystal application. And I now teach the product.

It's a good reference. I truly haven't had a question yet regarding basic or advanced procedures in the application that I couldn't find. But I would not recommend it for learning the application. It is dense.

I'm also disappointed that it is not very different from the CR 8.0 manual published by Crystal Decisions. The layout and procession of the book are virtually the same! It could have included more tutorials, too.

One thing that I would love for any CR reference/manual to include is a list and description of all the formulas in the system. To my knowledge, this does not exist anywhere, even in Crystal's own documentation.

PURCHASING RECOMMENDATION
If you need a solid reference and didn't purchase manuals with Crystal, this will work. If you need to learn the product, get something else.

Wish for more developer stuff
While a very comprehensive book, getting me through some of the starting developer tools. This book left a little bit to be desired in documenting more on the ASP developing capabilities. Rather just telling you to "check out the sample code" which isn't bad advice (the sample code in Crystal Reports is fairly thorough) but I'd appreciate documentation on every possible Method, Property, etc. on the ASP Development objects in Crystal Reports.

In short: any power user will appreciate this book, but developers might be left hanging somewhat.

Pathetic Index
A reference book is only as good as its index. This book has a poor index. Example: Do you know that you want to use the Switch command in a formula but need the syntax, an example, and a couple words of wisdom? Give up. It might be in there but I don't have time to read the whole book to find out. Guess I'll have to limp by with Crystal's HELP. Anyone know of a good Crystal book that helps a guy when building formulas? I want syntax and examples for each function. I would like each function in the index. Where it belongs. Please :)