Crystal Report Interview Questions May 31, 2011

Filed under: ASP.NET yjeevanrao @ 8:19 am

What is Crystal Report?
Crystal report is a report generation tool. Generally have interface with VB6. Crystal report
basically generates dynamic data. You can format the data in whichever way you feel like.
Can we use Crystal report as a stand-alone application?
Generally we use Crystal Reports with VB6. However we can make crystal report stand-alone
application also. But for that limitation is for viewing the report user should have crystal reports
installed on his/her PC.
How do we connect to the database?
There are two ways of creating the report:
1. Use crystal report built in query.
2. Use the tool Crystal SQL Designer provided by crystal report.
When you create report using crystal report built in query then it asks for the data source name
that you have created. When you run the report, then for the first time it will ask for the user id
and password. After that it will store the same. When you create .qry using Crystal SQL
Designer then at that time it will ask for the user id and password. When you run the report for
the first time instead of asking for the user id and password it will ask for the .qry file location.
You can change the query location also. For that open the report, select Set Location option in
Database menu item, and set the location.
How do we format field?
For formatting any field just right click on it and you will get many options like Format Field.
Browse field data etc. Click on Format Field. You can align data, suppress, make it multiline,
change the font size, style, and type, make it hyperlink etc. If it is an amount field then you can
display currency symbol also. Right click on the field select Format Field.
Can we give parameters to the report?
We can very well give parameters to the report. For creating parameters select Parameter Field
in Insert menu item. Create Parameter Field dialog box will popped up, it will ask for the name
of parameter, prompting text and datatype. Now when you run the report it will prompt for these
parameters.
Can we create our own formulas in reports?
We can create our own formulas in reports. Select Formula Field in Insert menu item. Write the
formula in Formula Editor. Here you will get Field Tree, Function Tree, and Operator
Tree, which will display the report fields, functions that are supported by crystal reports (like
CDATE () etc.), operators (arithmetic, strings etc.) respectively.
Can we export data of reports into other format like in world doc etc?
Generated data can be exported to word doc, or in rich text format. Just click on Export icon in
the menu. Export dialog box will be popped up. It will ask for the Format like comma-

separated value (csv) etc and the Destination like disk, application etc. After that it will ask for
the file name and save the data. Only restriction is formatting of data will be lost, but crystal
report will try to maintain as much formatting as it can.
Can we create report using more than one database?
We can create report using more than one database like Oracle, Access. Create data source name
for both the databases. Select tables from them and create the report. Only restriction is if you
use two databases then you cannot see the SQL generated by crystal reports.
Can we use our own SQL for creating a report?
We can also make our own query using Crystal SQL Designer tool provided by SQL. Here you
can insert your SQL statement as such. It will save this file as .qry . And when you create a
report instead of using Database button use Crystal SQL Statement button.
Can we edit SQL made by Crystal reports?
We cannot edit the SQL made by crystal reports. However we can view the SQL. For that select
Show SQL Query in Database menu item. Limitation is if you are using only one database. If
you use two databases then you cant even view the SQL prepared by crystal report.
Are there any limitations in crystal reports?
There are certain limitations in crystal reports.
They are:
1. If database is having field whose length is more than 255 characters, then you cannot make
formula using that field.
2. While exporting data formatting is lost.
3. When you browse data just by right clicking on the field then it displays that is there in the
database not the data selected by the query.
Can we suppress printing in crystal reports if 0 records are fetched?
Yes, we can suppress printing if no records are fetched. Select Report Options in File menu
item. Report Options dialog box will pop up. In that there is one option Suppress printing if
no records Check this option. If no records are found then nothing will be printed on the report.
What are the sections that we have in Crystal reports?
Report has got standard sections like Page Header, Page Footer, Report Header, Report
Footer, and Details. However you can add other sections also. Select Sections in the Insert
menu item. You can insert group sections also. If you dont want to show any section just right
click on that section and suppress that.
Can we add any database field once we have chosen Close button?
Yes, we can add any database field afterwards also. Select Database Field in Insert menu item.
If you are using crystal report built in query then it will display the tables that you have selected.
And you can select whichever field you want to display on the report. But if you are using .qry
file then it will display Query and you can select only those field, which are there in the query.

Does Crystal Report support all the functions that we have in Oracle?
No, Crystal report does not support all the functions. Like Decode function is there in SQL but
not there is crystal report. You need to convert that in crystal report format (in if and else etc.).
However if you use .qry files then it take the SQL as such. There is no need of changing any
syntax.
Is there any feature like summing total in crystal report?
Crystal reports provide features like grand total, sub-total, running total etc. You can select any
of these features in Insert menu item. You can sum up records on the basis of each record or on
change of group using Running Total option in Insert menu item.
I am using two tables one is of access database and other is of oracle database, I am getting
an error saying that SQL odbc error what should I do?
If you are getting such an error then click the icon for Report Expert. It will give a warning
saying that formatting will be lost. Ignore this you will get Standard Report Expert dialog box.
Reverse the links of access database table and it will work.
What versions of Crystal Reports have you used?
Please indicate both release version (9, 10, XI) and type of version (.NET or standalone boxed
exition, for example). A) I was willing to consider individuals who were primarily programming
version users, if they were able to adequately answer questions about Crystal Reports
functionality. It has been my experience, however, that programmer Crystal Reports writers
have vastly different skill sets and opinions about solutions that report writer or business
user Crystal Reports writers.
What is Set Location ?
A) This is very basic Crystal Reports functionality. If the candidate doesnt know what this is,
then thats a red flag.
Please describe, in plain English, the most complex report youve ever written. What made
it complex and how did you resolve the issues that presented themselves?
A) This question helps me to understand their level of understanding of functionality, their
ability to potentially address complex requirements and their creativity.
Have you ever written a repot against a View or Stored Procedure?
A) No? They might be skilled in Crystal Reports, but may not understand the relationship
between Crystal and the database. They may also not be skilled in SQL.
Is it better to build a report against a View or a Stored Procedure and why? Please explain.
A) This is a very good question, in my opinion. First, the right answer is neither. It really
depends on the situation. That being said, there is a contingent of report writers out there that
have been brainwashed into saying a stored procedure is always better, because its precompiled. In my opinion, this is bunk and heres why?
==>A stored procedure is absolutely great to use if youre going to manipulate a lot of data or
crunch a lot of numbers to return aggregates. If youre simply creating a
SELECT/FROM/WHERE query, its a complete waste. Furthermore, using a Stored Procedure

(or a SQL Command Object, for that matter) can severely limit the functionality you would
otherwise have in Crystal Reports. For example, a common report requirement is to have a
parameter that allows the user to select one, multiple or all items in the parameter list. Crystal
Reports allows this functionality through multi-value parameter selection. Stored procedures do
not allow this functionality.
==>A View can be written to contain all of the necessary fields, joins, subqueries, etc, but still
be open enough to be used by a variety of reports. For example, I have a client who needed 15
reports, all of which were to be written against a particular module of their application. All of the
reports had very similar fields, they were mostly just different in display and in the selection
criteria. As such, I created a single view with both a SELECT and FROM clause, but no
WHERE clause. I then built the 15 different reports all against the same view, but added
selection criteria to each report. By doing so, they all used a single, easily maintainable database
object, but were each unique and efficient.
What is the difference between crystal reports and normal reports?
In crystal reports we can genarate reports with any type of charts (bar charts,pie charts) it is
automatically genarated when we give values vto it,but that is not possible with genaral reports
we manually should caluculate every thing
What is different the vb.net and XML?
vb.net is product of micro soft corporation.it is for developing appication programs.xml is an
open standerd one.it is for representing data.xml is not restricted to the particular language.we
can use to represent data of any type of application.XML is common one.for bussiness to
bussiness communication XML is Best one.
Is it possible to join more than one universe in Business Objects BOE XI?
If its so Please explain how is that possible?
Yes, we can join more than one universe in BO we can join 2 master or kernel universes to one
derived universe. To Link the universes go to universe parameters->links tab->add link
How many .rpt files are be there in a main report having 2 sub reports?
We can keep, one .rpt file for both or we can individually create .rpt files and made them as
single with sub report. [there are 3 .rpt files including the main and 2 sub report. but when the
sub reports are inserted into main it will behave like one only.]
How to Filter the Crystal reports?
To filter the reports we have to use Formulas
We can prepare the formulas with
(1) Field Explorer (Window) or
(2) Writing the code
Syntax for preparing the formulas:
{classname.FieldName} & value. For Ex:
?{Employee.Emp_id}=? + value
?{Employee.Emp_name}=? + value + ??? (Strings to be in single quotes)
How to present data from Crystal Reports on to form?

Drag Crystal Report viewer control from toolbox to form.Properties:Crystal Report Name:
CRV1Report Source= or And call show () methodDOCK=Fill (The control resizes while form is
resized [Using Crystalviewer]
Is there any feature like summing total in crystal report?
Yes, we can add any database field afterwards also. Select Database > Field ; in Insert menu
item.
Can we use stored procedure for creating the report?
Can. By Adding Command in Crystal Report XI
Does Crystal Report support all the functions that we have in Oracle?
No, Crystal report does not support all the functions. Like Decode function is there in SQL but
not there is crystal report. You need to convert that in crystal report format (in if and else etc.).
Can we add any database field once we have chosen close button?
Yes, we can add any database field afterwards also. Select Database Field in Insert menu item.
What are the sections that we have in Crystal reports?
1. report header 2. report footer 3. page header 4. page footer 5. details
How many sections are there in the report?
Header, Detail, Footer and Page Header, Report Header, Page Footer, Report Footer [There are
several sections. 1)Report header, 2)Page header, 3)Group header, 4)Detail section, 5)Report
footer, 6)Page footer And also we can create our own sections if necessary.]
Can we use our own SQL for creating a report?
We can also make our own query using Crystal SQL Designer tool provided by SQL. Here you
can insert your SQL statement as such. It will save this file as query . And when you create a
report instead of using Database button use Crystal SQL Statement button. [Yes, Using Crystal
SQL writer]
Can we export data of reports into other format like in world doc etc?
yes ..u can, not only in word but also in several formats like pdf, excel. .etc. .u can go to file in
the menu in that u have this option[Reports can be exported to a number of formats, such as
spreadsheet, word processor, HTML, ODBC, and common data interchange formats.Go to File>Export. There are two sub menus, Export Report, Report Export Options. This can be
achievable through coding.ExportDestinationType eExportDestinationType =
ExportDestinationType.DiskFile; ExportFormatType eExportFormatType =
ExportFormatType.PortableDocFormat; ExportOptions eExportOptions
=ExportOptions.CreateDiskFileDestinationOptions;][Sure.We can save the crystal report as
many formats.There are Doc ,xsl, .pdf and etc. The sample code i used in my project is given
below.case pdf: { //setting disk file name crDiskFileDestinationOptions.DiskFileName =
ExportPath + filename; //setting destination type in our case disk file
crExportOptions.DestinationOptions = crDiskFileDestinationOptions; //setting export format
type crExportOptions.ExportDestinationType = ExportDestinationType.DiskFile; //setting

previously defined destination opions to our input report document

crExportOptions.ExportFormatType = ExportFormatType.PortableDocFormat;break; }case
xls: { //setting disk file name crDiskFileDestinationOptions.DiskFileName = ExportPath +
filename; //setting destination type in our case disk file crExportOptions.ExportDestinationType
= ExportDestinationType.DiskFile; //setting export format type
crExportOptions.ExportFormatType = ExportFormatType.Excel; //setting previously defined
destination opions to our input report document crExportOptions.DestinationOptions =
crDiskFileDestinationOptions;break; }]
Can we create report using more than one database?
Yes. We can create report using more than one database like Oracle, Access. Create data source
name for both the databases. Select tables from them and create the report. Only restriction is if
you use two databases then you cannot see the SQL generated by crystal reports.
How do we format field?
Right click on that field and choose format field.
How do we connect to the database?
1. Use crystal report built in query.
2. Use the tool Crystal SQL Designer provided by crystal report. [Most data sources can be
chosen through the Database Expert dialog box. The Database Expert appears when you create a
report from scratch using Blank Report, or when you choose Database Expert from the Database
menu.
Note: You also select a data source in the Report Creation Wizards. The Data screen in all of the
Report Creation Wizards, except the OLAP Report Creation Wizard, is much like the Database
Expert dialog box.To select a data source Choose Database Expert from the Database menu. The
Database Expert dialog box appears. Use the tree view in the Available Data Sources list of the
Data screen to select your data source: Current Connections Favorites History Create New
Connection Repository Some popular choices in the Create New Connection folder are described
here:Access/Excel (DAO), Database Files, ODBC (RDO), OLAP OLE DB (ADO)Note: The
data source options available in the Create New Connections folder depend on the data access
components selected during installation.]
Can we use Crystal report as a stand-alone application?
We can make crystal report stand-alone application also. But for that limitation is for viewing the
report user should have crystal reports installed.
How to Print in Crystal Reports while using ASP DOT NET Platform?
Using Crystal Decisions. SharedCrystalReport1 cr= new CrystalReport1;here crystalreport1 is
crystal report which we design.CrystalViewer1.ReportSource = cr; OR we can directly print the
report without showing reportCrystalReport1 cr= new
CrystalReport1;cr.PrintToPrinter(1,False,1,1);
What are the advantages or disadvantages of using Crystal?
Reports in a Windows Forms application as opposed to say rolling our own reports as HTML
and displaying them in the Internet Explorer control

Advantages
(1) Secure as End user cannot modify the data which is appear in the report if we use crystal
report to show the report but in HTML, user can modify the report data
(2) Report layout is not transparent, so that end user will not know about how we design the
report. But in HTML, anybody can study the report layout and can copy the technology
(3) Can export into different format like PDF, HTML, XML, etc, and many more.
Disadvantages :
(1) End user need to have the crystal report viewer in his PC in order to see the crystal report
output. But this can be overcome if you export the report as PDF/HTML
(2) You need to buy Crystal Report license for each pc you are used to design the crystal
report.(3) Must buy the version which allows you to install run time components in end user PC
(4) Crystal Report is slow as compare to Active Reports
(5) If we have 100 pages report then crystal will need to process all pages and then it shows the
output. and many more.
What are Crystal Reports and Crystal Reports Explorer?
With Crystal reports explorer one can quickly create and modify reports on the web, and since its
built on the trusted Business object enterprise platform, it can easily manage massive user loads,
individual access, and application customization.
How to conditionally suppress a field based on whether a page number is odd or even?
Select the field >Click FORMAT>Click FORMAT FIELD>Select the COMMON tab
>Click the FORMULA BUTTON to the right of SUPPRESS (Dont click the suppress check
box)To suppress a field on odd numbered pages PageNumber MOD 2 = 1To suppress a field on
even numebred pages PageNumber MOD 2 = 0 >Click SAVE Icon>Close the formula editor
>Click OK on the FORMAT screen
How to pass stored Procedure Parameters to the report?
Choose File>Options menu.
In the Options dialog box >Click the Database tab and ensure that Stored Procedures is
selected. Selecting Stored Procedures automatically displays any available stored procedures
when you log on to an SQL database.>Click OK to exit the Options dialog box. >On the Start
Page, click Blank Report.>Locate and select the SQL Server data source that contains the stored
procedure you want to use.>Click Next to go to the Connection Information dialog box>Enter
the required information to log in.>Click Finish>Highlight an SQL stored procedure in the
Stored Procedures folder, and click the>arrow to add it to the Selected Tables list.>The Enter
Parameter Values dialog box appears.>Highlight a parameter in the Parameter Fields list
>Assign a value by typing into the Discrete Value box and then click OK>You are returned to
the Database Expert>Click OK and create your report using the fields in the stored procedure.
What is the refresh button suppose to do on the crystal Report viewer?
(1). When you use Refresh Button in crystal report viewer, it refreshes the report data.
(2).When you refresh data from the Preview tab, the Refresh Report Data dialog box appears
Select the Use current parameter values option to use the current parameter value,
Select the Prompt for new parameter values option to enter a new parameter value.

When you select this option and click OK, the Enter Prompt Values dialog box appears. The
program now runs the report using the new value(s) you specified.
Is there a way to export a report definition without writing code?
Yes. The following steps work assuming you have Crystal Reports on the machine and the
appropriate export dlls loaded.

Open the report

Preview it
Click the EXPORT envelope
Select REPORT DEFINITION for the format
Select DISK FILE
Click OK
Enter a file name or accept the default
Click SAVE. The file is a text file and can be viewed with NOTEPAD.

Where is the save data with report option?

You can find File menu.
Is there a way to export the report formulas, like totals to excel?
Yeah we can do that using crystal report
What does it mean when we get the error message Invalid report version when try to
open a Crystal Report?
Crystal in its evolution has changed the report file format several times. In most cases the file
format is FORWARD-compatible. By this I mean a file created in Crystal 6 can be opened in
Crystal 6 or higher. When the file format changes were major the format is not BACKWARD
compatible. By this I mean a file created in CR 9 cannot be opened in CR 8 or before. Crystal
changed the report file format with CR 8 and CR 9. The CR 9 change was because of the
introduction of Unicode support. CR 8 has the ability to save a file in CR 7 format. Because of
the support for Unicode CR 9, 10, and XI cannot save the file in previous formats.
How to write a formula to change a font based upon data?

Select the field

Click FORMAT
Click FORMAT FIELD
Select the FONT tab
Click the FORMULA BUTTON to the right of FONTif ({YourField} = Value) then
Arialelse Times New Roman
Click SAVE Icon
Close the formula editor
Click OK on the FORMAT screen

How to refresh the crystal report from the application?

calling crystalreportcontrolname.reset (by selecting Report menu under Refresh the report menu
item at design time) will refresh the report[crystalreport1.DiscardSavedData=True]
How many sub-reports can report can have?
0-256
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