Crystal Reports From SQL Query String

VB.
NET Crystal Reports for Beginners

http://vb.net-informations.com/crystal-report/vb.net_crystal_report_step_by_step.htm
Start your first VB.NET Crystal Reports.
All Crystal Reports programming samples in this tutorials is based on the following database
(crystaldb) . Please take a look at the database structure before you start this tutorial - Click here
to see Database Structure .
Open Visual Studio .NET and select a new Visual Basic .NET Project.
Create a new Crystal Reports for Product table from the above database crystalDB. The Product
Table has three fields (Product_id,Product_name,Product_price) and we are showing the whole
table data in the Crystal Reports.
From main menu in Visual Studio select PROJECT-->Add New Item . Then Add New Item
dialogue will appear and select Crystal Reports from the dialogue box.
Select Report type from Crystal Reports gallery.
Accept the default settings and click OK.
Next step is to select the appropriate connection to your database. Here we are going to select
OLEDB connection for SQL Server
Select OLE DB (ADO) from Create New Connection.

Select Microsoft OLE DB Provider for SQL Server .
Next screen is the SQL Server authentication screen . Select your Sql Server name , enter
userid , password and select your Database Name . Click next , Then the screen shows OLE
DB Property values , leave it as it is , and click finish.
Then you will get your Server name under OLEDB Connection from there select database name
(Crystaldb) and click the tables , then you can see all your tables from your database.
From the tables list select Product table to the right side list .
Click Next Button
Select all fields from Product table to the right side list.
Click Finish Button. Then you can see the Crystal Reports designer window . You can arrange
the design according your requirements. Your screen look like the following picture.
Now the designing part is over and the next step is to call the created Crystal Reports in VB.NET
through Crystal Reports Viewer control .
Select the default form (Form1.vb) you created in VB.NET and drag a button and
CrystalReportViewer control to your form.
Select Form's source code view and put the code on top.
Imports CrystalDecisions.Crysta
Put the following source code in the button click event
Next : VB.NET Crystal Reports from multiple tables
Download Source Code

Print Source Code
Imports CrystalDecisions.CrystalReports.Engine
Public Class Form1
Private Sub Button1_Click(ByVal sender As System.Object,
ByVal e As System.EventArgs) Handles Button1.Click
Dim cryRpt As New ReportDocument
cryRpt.Load("PUT CRYSTAL REPORT PATH HERE\CrystalReport1.rpt")
CrystalReportViewer1.ReportSource = cryRpt
CrystalReportViewer1.Refresh()
End Sub
End Class
NOTES:
The Crystal Reports is in your project location, there you can see CrystalReport1.rpt . So give the full
path name of report here.
After you run the source code you will get the report like this.
Hope this tutorial help you to create your first Crystal Reports.
Crystal Reports from SQL Query String
We can create Crystal Reports in VB.NET using SQL Query String . Here we create a Strongly
Typed dataset for Crystal Reports design and create a connection object and execute the SQL
Query String .
All Crystal Report programming samples in this tutorials is based on the following database
The basics of Crystal Reports creation you can find in the previous section of this tutorial ,
before we start this tutorial you can take a look at the step by step Crystal Report.
Generating a Strongly Typed DataSet

In the previous section you can see a detailed tutorial about to create a strongly typed datset and
its Crystal Reports design . After create the dataset and Crystal Reports design you should create
a connection object and fetch the data from database.
Select the default form (Form1.vb) you created in VB.NET and drag one button and
Put the following source code in the button click events
Imports System.Data.SqlClient
Imports CrystalDecisions.Shared
Imports System.Data
Public Class Form1
Private Sub Button1_Click(ByVal sender As System.Object, _
Dim ds As New DataSet1

Dim cnn As SqlConnection
Dim connectionString As String
Dim sql As String
connectionString = "data source=servername; _

initial catalog=crystaldb;user id=username;password=password;"
cnn = New SqlConnection(connectionString)
cnn.Open()
sql = "SELECT Product_id,Product_name,Product_price FROM Product"
Dim dscmd As New SqlDataAdapter(sql, cnn)
dscmd.Fill(ds, "Product")
MsgBox(ds.Tables(1).Rows.Count)
cnn.Close()
Dim objRpt As New CrystalReport1
objRpt.SetDataSource(ds.Tables(1))
CrystalReportViewer1.ReportSource = objRpt
End Sub
End Class
NOTES:
You have to provide the necessary databse information to Connection String.
Crystal Reports from SQL Query String

In usual practice , Crystal Reports we are getting from pre defined columns. But we can make
Crystal Reports from Dynamic column . Here we are going to do the dynamic Crystal Reports
from SQL statements . That is we enter SQL in textbox and get the Crystal Reports according to
the SQL statement.
Create a new VB.NET project and add a Strongly Typed Dataset . Before creating a Strongly
Typed take a look at the detailed tutorial of create a strongly typed datset and add five column in
the Datatable. Here we are limiting as five column , but you can add any number of column
according to your requirements.
Next step is to create a Crystal Reports design from the Strongly Typed dataset.
Select all the column from dataset.

Select the default form(Form1.vb) and add a TextBox , Button and Crystal Reports Viewer .
Here we are going to pass the SQl statements to Crystal Reports at runtime . For that we parsing
the SQL statement before we passing it to Crystal Reports. So we create a function for parsing
SQL statements.
Public Function procesSQL() As String
Imports System.Data.SqlClient
Imports System.Data
Public Class Form1
Dim cnn As SqlConnection
Dim connectionString As String
Dim sql As String
connectionString = "data source=SERVERNAME; _

initial catalog=crystaldb;user id=sa;password=PASSWORD;"
cnn = New SqlConnection(connectionString)
cnn.Open()
sql = procesSQL()
Dim dscmd As New SqlDataAdapter(sql, cnn)
dscmd.Fill(ds, "Product")
End Sub
Public Function procesSQL() As String
Dim sql As String
Dim inSql As String
Dim firstPart As String
Dim lastPart As String
Dim selectStart As Integer
Dim fromStart As Integer
Dim fields As String()
Dim i As Integer
Dim MyText As TextObject
inSql = TextBox1.Text
inSql = inSql.ToUpper
selectStart = inSql.IndexOf("SELECT")
fromStart = inSql.IndexOf("FROM")
selectStart = selectStart + 6
firstPart = inSql.Substring(selectStart, (fromStart - selectStart))
lastPart = inSql.Substring(fromStart, inSql.Length - fromStart)
fields = firstPart.Split(",")
firstPart = ""
For i = 0 To fields.Length - 1
If i > 0 Then
firstPart = firstPart & " , " _
& fields(i).ToString() & " AS COLUMN" & i + 1
MyText = CType(objRpt.ReportDefinition.ReportObjects("Text" _
& i + 1), TextObject)
MyText.Text = fields(i).ToString()
Else
firstPart = firstPart & fields(i).ToString() & _
" AS COLUMN" & i + 1
MyText = CType(objRpt.ReportDefinition.ReportObjects("Text" &
_
i + 1), TextObject)
MyText.Text = fields(i).ToString()
End If
Next
sql = "SELECT " & firstPart & " " & lastPart
Return sql
End Function
End Class
NOTES:
You have to provide the necessary databse information to Connection String.
VB.NET Crystal Reports Load Dynamically
In this section we are passing User ID , Password , Server Name and Database Name
dynamically to Crystal Reports from vb.net .
SITUATIONS :
In many situations this is useful , for example if you develop a database project in a test server
and later you have to migrate it , in such situations you have to give these information
dynamically to Crystal Reports.
When you new in VB.Net Crystal Report, many time you get this message.. Failed to open the
connection . This is a common problem with embedding Crystal Reports in VB.Net. The
dynamic logon parameter passing will solve this issue.
In this program we are using our earlier program and pass the values dynamically to Crystal
Reports. Before we start this section take a look at the step by step Crystal Report in VB.NET .
In the step by step Crystal Report we created a report selecting all data from the Product table .
There is no chance to change the server on runtime in that case because it is a static report . Here
we are passing Server Name , UserID and Password dynamically to the Crystal Reports.
Here we use Crystal Reports ConnectionInfo .
Dim crConnectionInfo As New ConnectionInfo , and pass these arguments to ConnectionInfo
Select Form's source code view and import the following :
 Imports CrystalDecisions.CrystalReports.Engine
 Imports CrystalDecisions.Shared
Public Class Form1
Dim crtableLogoninfos As New TableLogOnInfos
Dim crtableLogoninfo As New TableLogOnInfo
Dim crConnectionInfo As New ConnectionInfo
Dim CrTables As Tables
Dim CrTable As Table
With crConnectionInfo
.ServerName = "YOUR SERVER NAME"
.DatabaseName = "YOUR DATABASE NAME"
.UserID = "YOUR DATABASE USERNAME"
.Password = "YOUR DATABASE PASSWORD"
End With
CrTables = cryRpt.Database.Tables
For Each CrTable In CrTables
crtableLogoninfo = CrTable.LogOnInfo
crtableLogoninfo.ConnectionInfo = crConnectionInfo
CrTable.ApplyLogOnInfo(crtableLogoninfo)
Next
End Sub
End Class
NOTES:
The Crystal Report is in your project location, there you can see CrystalReport1.rpt . So give the full path
name of report here.
You have to replace the source code values of "YOUR SERVER NAME" , "YOUR DATABASE NAME" ,
"YOUR DATABASE USERNAME" , "YOUR DATABASE PASSWORD" with your correct values .
When you run this program you will get the following screen.
How to set title of crystal report dynamically
with coding
Dim RPTTITLE As String
Try
Dim tmp As String
If ddlactive.SelectedItem.Text = "Yes" Then

tmp = "Y"
ds1 = con.FetchData("select * from computer_mast where type='" &

ddlOpt.SelectedItem.Text & "' and active='" & tmp & "' order by deptname,ip ")
RPTTITLE = "Active " & ddlOpt.SelectedItem.Text & " Users"
ElseIf ddlactive.SelectedItem.Text = "No" Then
tmp = "N"
ds1 = con.FetchData("select * from computer_mast where type='" &
ddlOpt.SelectedItem.Text & "' and active='" & tmp & "' order by deptname,ip ")
RPTTITLE = "Not Active " & ddlOpt.SelectedItem.Text & " Users"
End If
If ds1.Tables(0).Rows.Count > 0 Then

lblErr.Visible = False
rptname = "~/Reports/Report3.rpt"
con.con.Open()
rpt.Load(Server.MapPath(rptname))
rpt.SetDatabaseLogon("wml", "win")
rpt.SetDataSource(ds1.Tables(0))
rpt.SummaryInfo.ReportTitle = RPTTITLE
CrystalReportViewer1.ReportSource = rpt
rpt.ExportToHttpResponse(ExportFormatType.PortableDocFormat, Response, False,

"ExportedReport")
Else
lblErr.Visible = True
End If
con.dttemp = ds1.Tables(0)
Catch ex As Exception
MsgBox(ex.Message)
End Try
Crystal Reports Without Database

Usually Crystal Reports we are using to fetch data from database and show it as a report. Here
we are going to generate a Crystal Reports without using a datbase . For generating a Crystal
Reports without database , here we are using a Strongly Typed Dataset and a Data Table.
The basics of Crystal Reports creation you can find in the previous section of this tutorial ,
before we start this tutorial you can take a look at the step by step Crystal Report.
Generating a Strongly Typed DataSet

Create a new VB.NET Project and accept the default settings. Create a new Dataset from Project
- Add New Item Dialogue Box.
Accept the default name DataSet1.xsd .
Create a data table for DataSet1.xsd .
Select DataSet1.xsd from Solution Explorer and right click . Select datatable from the menu.
Then you will get a datatable in the Datast . Right click the datatable and select Add-Column.
Here we are making a two column Crystal Reports , so we need two column in the data table .
Add and ID column and Name column in the Data Table.
Now the dataset part is over . Next step is to create a Crystal Reports from this Dataset . Before
going to make Crystal Reports design please take a look at step by step Crystal Report for easy
creation of Crystal Reports.
Select a new Crystal Reports from Add New Item menu and accept the default settings. The next
screen is to select appropriate data source . There you can find the Datatable1 from Project data -
ADO.NET Datasets , and select Datatable1 to the right side.
Click Next button and select ID and Name from the datatable1 to right side and click finish.
Now the Crystal Reports designer part is over . Next part is to create data for the Crystal
Reports . For that we have to create a Data Table through programmatically and add data to
dataset1.
Select the default form (Form1.vb) you created in VB.NET and drag one button and
Imports System.Data
Public Class Form1
Dim t As DataTable = ds.Tables.Add("Items")
t.Columns.Add("id", Type.GetType("System.Int32"))
t.Columns.Add("Item", Type.GetType("System.String"))
Dim r As DataRow
Dim i As Integer
For i = 0 To 9
r = t.NewRow()
r("id") = i
r("Item") = "Item" & i
t.Rows.Add(r)
Next

End Sub
End Class
VB.NET Crystal Reports Export to PDF

Exporting from Crystal Reports to PDF format , we are using Crystal Reportss
CrExportOptions . Also we have to set PdfRtfWordFormatOptions and
ExportFormatType.PortableDocFormat . In the following example you can see how to export
a Crystal Reports as a PDF format file.
In this tutorial we are using our earlier program step by step Crystal Report for pull data from
database to Crystal Reports . Before we start this section take a look at the step by step Crystal
Report in VB.NET .
In the step by step Crystal Report we pull all data from Product table , here now we are exporting
that data to a PDF format file.
Select the default form (Form1.vb) you created in VB.NET and drag two buttons (Button1,
Button2 ) and CrystalReportViewer control to your form.
Public Class Form1

End Sub

Try
Dim CrExportOptions As ExportOptions
Dim CrDiskFileDestinationOptions As New _
DiskFileDestinationOptions()
Dim CrFormatTypeOptions As New PdfRtfWordFormatOptions()
CrDiskFileDestinationOptions.DiskFileName = _
"c:\crystalExport.pdf"
CrExportOptions = cryRpt.ExportOptions
With CrExportOptions
.ExportDestinationType = ExportDestinationType.DiskFile
.ExportFormatType = ExportFormatType.PortableDocFormat
.DestinationOptions = CrDiskFileDestinationOptions
.FormatOptions = CrFormatTypeOptions
End With
cryRpt.Export()
MsgBox(ex.ToString)
End Try
End Sub
End Class
NOTES:
When you run this program you will get the PDF file (crystalExport.pdf) in your computer's C:
VB.NET Crystal Reports from multiple

tables
Here we are going to do is to generate Crystal Reports from multiple tables. Here we have three
table (ordermaster , orderdetails amd product ) and we are generating report from these three
tables by connecting each tables with their related fields.
Open Visual Studio .NET and select a new Visual Basic .NET Project.
From main menu in Visual Studio select PROJECT-->Add New Item . Then Add New Item
dialogue will appear and select Crystal Reports from the dialogue box.
Select Report type from Crystal Reports gallery.
Accept the default settings and click OK.
Next step is to select the appropriate connection to your database. Here we are going to select
OLEDB connection for SQL Server
Select OLE DB (ADO) from Create New Connection.

Select Microsoft OLE DB Provider for SQL Server .
Next screen is the SQL Server authentication screen . Select your Sql Server name , enter
userid , password and select your Database Name . Click next , Then the screen shows OLE
DB Property values , leave it as it is , and click finish.
Then you will get your Server name under OLEDB Connection from there select database name
(Crystaldb) and click the tables , then you can see all your tables from your database.
Select all table from the table list to right side list box, because we are creating report from three
tables ( OrderMaster, OrderDetails, Product) .
The next step is to make relation between these selected tables. Here we are connecting the
related fields from each table. For that we arrange the tables in visible area in the list (this is not
necessary ) and select the field we are going to make relation and drag to the related field of the
other table. After made the relation the screen is look like the following picture.
Next step is to select the fields from the tables . Here we are selecting only Customername ,
orderdate from ordermastertable , Productname from product table and quantity from order
details.
Click the Finish button because now we are not using other functionalities of this wizard. After
that you will get the Crystal Reports designer window . You can arrange the fields in the
designer window according to your requirement to view the report . For rearranging you can drag
the field object in the screen . For editing right click the field object and select Edit Text Object.
The following picture shows the sample of designer window after rearrange the field.
Now the designing part is over and the next step is to call the created Crystal Reports in VB.NET
through Crystal Reports Viewer control .
Select Form's source code view and put the code on top.
Public Class Form1
End Sub
End Class
NOTES:
After you run the source code you will get the report like this.
Here we connected three tables related field and get the result . If you have any comments please
contact the email address in our contact page.
VB.NET Crystal Reports Export to Excel
Exporting from Crystal Reports to Excel format , we are using Crystal Reports
CrExportOptions . Also we have to set ExcelFormatOptions and ExportFormatType.Excel .
In the following example you can see how to export a Crystal Reports as a Excel format file.
In this tutorial we are using our earlier program step by step Crystal Report pull data from
database to Crystal Reports . Before we start this section take a look at the step by step Crystal
Report in VB.NET .
In the step by step Crystal Report we pull all data from Product table , here now we are exporting
that data to a Excel format file.
Public Class Form1

End Sub

Try
Dim CrFormatTypeOptions As New ExcelFormatOptions
CrDiskFileDestinationOptions.DiskFileName = _
"c:\crystalExport.xls"
.ExportFormatType = ExportFormatType.Excel
End With
cryRpt.Export()
MsgBox(ex.ToString)
End Try
End Sub
End Class
NOTES:
When you run this program you will get the Excel file (crystalExport.xls) in your computer's C:
Email a Crystal Reports from VB.NET

For Email a Crystal Reports , we have to export the Crystal Reports in any of the File Format
available in Crystal Reports and then Email it.
In this tutorial we use the tutorial Export Crystal Report to PDF file . So before we start this
section please take a look at the tutorial Export Crystal Report to PDF file
After export the Crystal Reports as a PDF file , the next step is to email that file . For that here
we are using System.Web.Mail . We have to provide the necessary information to configuring
SmtpMail client and send the exported file as attachment .
 Imports CrystalDecisions.CrystalReports.Engine
 Imports CrystalDecisions.Shared
 Imports System.Web.Mail
Imports System.Web.Mail
Public Class Form1

Dim pdfFile As String = "c:\ProductReport1.pdf"

End Sub

Try
Dim CrFormatTypeOptions As New PdfRtfWordFormatOptions
CrDiskFileDestinationOptions.DiskFileName = pdfFile
.ExportFormatType = ExportFormatType.PortableDocFormat
End With
cryRpt.Export()
MsgBox(ex.ToString)
End Try
sendMail()
End Sub
Private Sub sendMail()

Try
Dim Smtp As SmtpMail
SmtpMail.SmtpServer.Insert(0, "your hostname")
Dim Msg As MailMessage = New MailMessage
Msg.To = "to address here"
Msg.From = "from address here"
Msg.Subject = "Crystal Report Attachment "
Msg.Body = "Crystal Report Attachment "
Msg.Attachments.Add(New MailAttachment(pdfFile))
Smtp.Send(Msg)
MsgBox(ex.ToString)
End Try
End Sub
End Class
NOTES:
Before you run this programme , you have to provide the necessary SMTP informations , that is your
HOSTNAME , FROM ADDRESS and TO ADDRESS to the SMTP client.
How to deploy Crystal Reports on Clinet

Machine
Crystal Reports for Visual Studio ships with your deployment projects that enable you to
deploy Crystal Reports components and assemblies on the target machine. We can use different
approaches to install Crystal Reports runtime files on the target machine .
If you are using Visual Studio then during your setup and deployment you can add the
CRRedist2005_x86.msi file to your setup file and distribute it as a single setup file . The
installer can execute the setup file automatically with your .Net Project in a single click. You can
find the CRRedist2005_x86.msi file in your system's C:\Program Files\Microsoft Visual
Studio 8\SDK\v2.0\BootStrapper\Packages\CrystalReports . Also you can distribute the
CRRedist2005_x86.msi separately and install it on the target machine.
The other way to install Crystal Reports on target machine is to create a setup file using Merge
Modules and distribute it with your application or as a separate setup file. Click the following
link to see how to make a setup file with Merge Modules.
Create a Subreport in Crystal Reports
Subreport in Crystal Reports means a Report within a Report . When we want to show some
additional information about the data in the Crystal Reports , we use the subreports to show the
details. Subreports we show within the main Crystal Reports and also we can show it as On-
Demand report , that means we put an Hyper link in the row, and when user click that hyper link
then will get the subreport.
This section we are showing the subreport within the Crystal Reports . That is for each row there
is a subreoprt for the details.
Here we are create an order report based on three tables in the database and show a subreoprt for
each row of the specified Product Name. Here we are using our earlier program Crystal Report
from multiple tables to show the main Crystal Reports Data , so please refer Crystal Report from
multiple tables before start this section .
Create a Crystal Reports using three tables and select customername , date , product and qty . It
will explain in detail the previous section Crystal Report from multiple tables .
Next step is to create a subreport inside the main report. Here we are showing the Product details
in each row of the specified product in the main row.
After create the main report , right click on Crystal Reports designer window and select Insert-
Subreport.
Then you will get the subreport object , drag the object in the designer window at the down part
of the details tab , just below the fields in the details tab. When you release the mouse you will
get a dialogue box asking report name . Enter the report name you want and click the Report
Wizard button.
The wizard shows the table selection screen and select the table . Here in this case we are
selecting the Product Table from the list and click next .
Next screen is showing the table , from there select the fields you want to show the data and click
finish. The you will get the subreport main screen again and select Link tab .
The link tab is making relation with your main Report and subreport . Here we are linking the
productname from main report to the subreport. For that select Product.Product_name from
Available fields.
Accept the other settings as it is in the screen and click ok. Now you can see the subreport object
in the screen , if you want to modify subreport design , double click on subreport object and you
can design subreport.
Now the designer part is over . Next step is to select the default form(Form1.vb) and add a
Button and Crystal Reports Viewer to the Form.
Put the following vb.net source code in your form and run the program .
Public Class Form1
Dim crp As New CrystalReport1
CrystalReportViewer1.ReportSource = crp
End Sub
End Class
Create a Subreport in Crystal Reports with

Link
In the previous section Subreport in Crystal Report is described how to insert a subreport in
Crystal Reports . In that case the subreport is embedded within the main Crystal Reports. Here
we are creating a subreport , and the subreport has only a link in the main Report , on-demand
subreports . That is when the user click the link , then only the subreport display.
Here we are using our previous example Subreport in Crystal Report and make a link in the min
Crystal Reports for on-demand subreport.
Select the subreport object in the Crystal Reports and right click , then select Format Object.
Then you will get Format Editor . Select Subreport tab from Format Editor , you can find there a
check box On-demand Subreport . You have to select that check box , then the subreport become
as a link in your main Crystal Reports. If you want to change the title , you can change it in
subreport name textbox. Finally click OK button.
Now the designing part is over and you are ready to generate subreport on-demand. Next step is
to select the default form(Form1.vb) and add a Button and Crystal Report Viewer to the Form.
Put the following vb.net source code in your form and run the program .
Public Class Form1
Dim crp As New CrystalReport1
CrystalReportViewer1.ReportSource = crp
End Sub
End Class

Crystal Reports From SQL Query String

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Crystal Reports From SQL Query String

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VB.

NET Crystal Reports for Beginners

Start your first VB.NET Crystal Reports.

Select OLE DB (ADO) from Create New Connection.

Put the following source code in the button click event

Next : VB.NET Crystal Reports from multiple tables

Download Source Code

Generating a Strongly Typed DataSet

Put the following source code in the button click events

Dim ds As New DataSet1

connectionString = "data source=servername; _