It is also possible to run a CR report without using the full CR designer. These alternate methods for running reports include locally installed viewers, schedulers, and report distribution tools. These are typically third-party software programs that allow you to open, refresh, preview, print and export an RPT file. In 2007 Business Objects released their own viewer, CR Viewer XI, but unlike the independent viewers it does not allow the user to refresh the report, but only to view static data saved in the RPT file.
Some of the independent viewers add other capabilities such as allowing the user to schedule a report to run automatically at certain times. Still others allow reports to be "burst" and/or distributed via email.
Crystal Reports is bundled with a set of ActiveX controls that, when embedded in a simple GUI, can provide an alternate user interface. These same controls allow reports to be deconstructed into their base objects. This, in turn, allows the same reports to be generated at run time, customising them as necessary.
Some of the independent viewers add other capabilities such as allowing the user to schedule a report to run automatically at certain times. Still others allow reports to be "burst" and/or distributed via email.
Crystal Reports is bundled with a set of ActiveX controls that, when embedded in a simple GUI, can provide an alternate user interface. These same controls allow reports to be deconstructed into their base objects. This, in turn, allows the same reports to be generated at run time, customising them as necessary.