Introduction to Crystal Reports Training (CRY2011.1)

This course equips you with a robust understanding of Crystal Reports, a tool for creating and formatting reports from virtually any data source. Ideal for companies and individuals looking to enhance their data-reporting capabilities, this course ensures your employees gain both foundational knowledge and practical skills in report writing and data analysis using Crystal Reports.

The journey begins with Getting Acquainted with Crystal Reports. Here, attendees will understand the report writing process and learn how to navigate through Crystal Reports efficiently. They'll become familiar with the toolbars, including the Standard, Formatting, Insert, Experts, Navigation, and External Command toolbars. Additionally, they’ll explore the design tab's report sections such as Report Header, Page Header, Details, Page Footer, and Report Footer. This module also covers the Field Explorer, previewing reports, and adding multiple tables to generate comprehensive data reports.

Next, in Formatting Reports, participants will discover how to format fields using the AdventureWorks Database and use the Format Painter to maintain consistency and enhance the visual appeal of their reports.

The Working with Objects module enables your team to master the use of text objects, field titles, and the inclusion of fields within text objects. They’ll also learn techniques for aligning and sizing objects effectively, using the Section Expert, and incorporating images into their reports.

In Filtering Reports, employees will create filters based on single and multiple selection criteria. This module empowers them to generate precise and focused reports tailored to specific data needs.

The Sorting and Grouping Reports module teaches the use of the Sort Expert and Group Expert to organize data logically within reports. Attendees will also learn to summarize records within groups, making data analysis more efficient.

The course covers Using Basic Formulas to introduce employees to string, numeric, and date/time formulas, running totals, and conditional formulas. This module helps in performing calculations and generating dynamic reports based on the data criteria.

In Advanced Formatting, participants will learn to utilize multiple sections for enhanced layout control, create summary reports, and use lines and boxes to improve report clarity. They'll also explore the Highlighting Expert to emphasize important data points.

The course concludes with Exporting and Distribution, where attendees will practice exporting reports to Excel, PDF, and Word. They’ll also get familiar with the Crystal Reports Viewer and the cloud-based service, crystalreports.com, to distribute and share their reports efficiently.

Upon completion of this course, you will be proficient in using Crystal Reports to create, format, filter, sort, group, and distribute data reports effectively. The skills acquired will enable your team to produce accurate and visually appealing reports, facilitating better decision-making and improved data management within your organization.