Crystal Reports XI - Online Course

Do you need to know the foundations of Crystal Reports XI? Do you want to create reports that sizzle from one or more data sources ASAP? This series will show you how to create, format, and deliver reports that get results in no time. You will learn everything from the basics of getting around in Crystal's report design environment to the subtle nuances of effective report formatting and data visualization through charting and mapping.

This series is for anyone who wants to learn more about Crystal Reports XI. This online course contains 10 lessons and should take approximately 21 hours to complete.

Lesson 1: Navigating the Design Environment (2.0) hours

Navigating the Design Environment teaches you how to explain the function of report sections, identify the program's five main toolbars, describe available menu commands, and utilize the program's explorer dialogs. This course provides an overview of the report design environment including sections, toolbars, menus, and explorers. Topics include Report sections, Toolbars, Menus, and Explorers.

Lesson 2: Selecting Just the Right Data Source(s) for Your Report (2.0) hours

Selecting Just the Right Data Source(s) for Your Report teaches you how to list commonly used database drivers, select one or more data sources for a report, add data objects to a report, and join data objects. This course provides an overview of working with data sources, including database drivers, data source selection, and data objects. Topics include Database drivers, Selecting a data source, Adding data objects, and Joining data objects.

Lesson 3: Report Wizards and Do It Yourself (1.0) hour

Report Wizards and Do It Yourself teaches you how to use the report wizards to create a report., and create a report without the use of a report wizard.. This course explains how to make a connection to OLE DB or ODBC databases using Xtreme Sample Database 11 in Crystal Reports XI along with how to use the Standard Report Creation Wizard. Topics include Report wizards, and Do it yourself reporting.

Lesson 4: Selecting and Organizing Your Report Data (1.0) hour

Selecting and Organizing Your Report Data teaches you how to describe the different types of field objects, add groups to your reports, reorder groups, and create a drill-down report. This course provides an introduction to selecting and organizing report data in Crystal Reports XI. Topics include Understanding field objects, Grouping report aata, and Creating drill-down reports.

Lesson 5: Manipulating Your Report Data in Meaningful Ways (2.0) hours

Manipulating Your Report Data in Meaningful Ways teaches you how to apply basic and advanced filters, sort records, apply grand totals, apply group totals, apply a group selection and sort, and create a running total. This course provides an explanation for filtering data on given criteria, sorting data based on field values, and summarizing and subtotaling data. Topics include Basic filters, Advanced filters, Sorting records, Grand totals, Group totals, Group selection, and Running totals.

Lesson 6: Letting Formulas and Functions Do All the Work (3.0) hours

Letting Formulas and Functions Do All the Work teaches you how to use the Formula Workshop and Formula Editor, create arithmetic, date and time, and string formulas, and discuss type conversions, control structures, and variables. This course provides an introduction to formula creation and the use of functions in Crystal Reports XI. Topics include The Formula Workshop, Arithmetic formulas, Date and time formulas, String formulas, Type conversions, Control structures, Variables, and Functions.

Lesson 7: Creating Dynamic Reports with Parameters (2.0) hours

Creating Dynamic Reports with Parameters teaches you how to explain the value of parameters., create and implement basic parameter fields., create and implement dynamic and cascading parameter fields., and use parameters with record selections and Top N selections.. In this course, you will learn to add parameter fields to provide a single report that can service very specific reporting requirements and also accommodate a large audience of business users. You will take a closer look at using parameters in your reports, as well as how parameter fields can be created and implemented. Topics include Parameters 101, Creating parameter fields, Implementing parameter fields, Using parameters with record selections, Using parameters with Top N selections, and Dynamic and cascading parameters.

Lesson 8: Formatting Reports that Function and Sizzle (3.0) hours

Formatting Reports that Function and Sizzle teaches you how to position and size report objects, modify object properties for formatting purposes, use the Format Editor, combine and layer report objects, configure report page and margin properties, link reports, create ToolTips, and add lines, boxes, and watermarks to your report. This course explains how to format your report using various tools in Crystal Reports XI. Topics include Positioning and Sizing Objects, The Format Editor, Modifying Object Properties, Combining and Layering Objects, Linking Reports, Creating ToolTips, and Lines, Boxes, and Watermarks.

Lesson 9: Making Reports Sections Work for You (2.0) hours

Making Reports Sections Work for You teaches you how to differentiate report sections, describe key functions of the Section Expert, change the background color of a report section, use the Fit Section command, manipulate a report section's general properties, and use multiple sections within a section area to enhance a report. This course examines the modifiable properties of report sections along with ways to apply them in professionally styled reports. Topics include The Section Expert, Section Color Properties, Section Common Properties, and Using Multiple Report Sections.

Lesson 10: Visualizing Your Report Data with Charts and Maps (3.0) hours

Visualizing Your Report Data with Charts and Maps teaches you how to insert a chart into your report, modify your chart using the Chart Expert and other chart-related dialogs, insert a map into your report, and modify your map using the Map Expert and other map-related dialogs. This course teaches you various charting and mapping techniques, including using the Chart and Map Experts, as well as manual chart and map formatting. Topics include Basic Charting Options, Advanced Charting Options, Basic Mapping Options, and Advanced Mapping Options.