SAP Crystal How-to Guides

Whether you are a novice user, or an experienced designer looking to see if you are following best practices, these guides are made for you.

A. SAP Crystal Solutions

Note that these guides are meant for SAP Crystal Reports 2016, SAP Crystal Reports 2020, SAP Crystal Server 2016 and SAP Crystal Server 2020. SAP Crystal Reports 2016 is 32 bit and SAP Crystal Reports 2020 is 64 bit. All data connectors / drivers need to follow the same logic: 32 bit for SAP Crystal Reports 2016 and 64 bit for SAP Crystal Reports 2020.
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For question please contact sales@sap.com

A. 1. First Impressions of Crystal Solutions

PDF Step-by-Step Guide: Check out the valuable features and capabilities of Crystal Solutions.
https://d.dam.sap.com/a/4BVqx7r/SAP%20Crystal%20Step%20by%20Step%20First%20Impressions.pdf?rc=10

A. 2. Download SAP Crystal sample files

Download our SAP Crystal templates in RPT format:
https://crystal-reports-downloads.s3.amazonaws.com/SAP-Crystal-Reports-sample-reports.zip

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Download our SAP Crystal sample database in MS Excel format:
https://crystal-reports-downloads.s3.amazonaws.com/Ridin-Round.xls

Download our SAP Crystal sample database in MS Access format:
https://crystal-reports-downloads.s3.amazonaws.com/xtreme1.mdb
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Note: To open the MS Access file from SAP Crystal Reports 2016, you will need to save it as a Microsoft Access Database 2002-2003 file.

B. SAP Crystal Reports

B.1. SAP Crystal Reports: From evaluation to production

PDF Step-by-Step Guide: Learn to continue with an installation of Crystal Reports by replacing the trial keycode with a production license.
https://d.dam.sap.com/a/p4ZNNYx/SAP%20Crystal%20Step%20by%20Step%20guide%20from%20trial%20to%20production%20license%20key.pdf?rc=10

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PDF SAP Crystal Reports 2020 Installation Guide:
https://help.sap.com/docs/SAP_CRYSTAL_REPORTS/9fe2522cc23841d389160e24e801186f?locale=en-US&state=PRODUCTION&version=2020.3

PDF SAP Crystal Reports 2016 Installation Guide:
https://help.sap.com/doc/431da886be3446ac87f68a25530fd45b/2016.7/en-US/cr16_installgd_en.pdf

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Start a 30 days trial for SAP Crystal Reports:
https://www.sap.com/products/crystal-reports/trial.html

B. 2. SAP Crystal Reports: Learn from our sample reports

PDF Step-by-Step Guide: Leverage our sample reports to learn how to use SAP Crystal reports.
https://d.dam.sap.com/a/cHLi2Ho/SAP%20Crystal%20Reports%202016%20Step%20by%20Step%20Learn%20from%20sample%20reports.pdf?rc=10

B. 3. SAP Crystal Reports: Connect to a data source

B. 4. SAP Crystal Reports: Connect to Microsoft SQL Server

PDF Step-by-Step Guide: Start reporting from Microsoft SQL Server data sources by following the steps in this guide to establish a connection.
https://d.dam.sap.com/a/Ch2T4td/SAP%20Crystal%20Step%20by%20Step%20guide%20connecting%20to%20MS%20SQL%20Server.pdf?rc=10

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Note: For SAP Crystal Reports 2020, you will need a 64 bit connection so please download Microsoft Access Database Engine 2016 Redistribuable, not Microsoft Access Database Engine 2010 Redistribuable.

B. 5. SAP Crystal Reports: Connect to Microsoft Access

PDF Step-by-Step Guide: Report from Microsoft Access sources by following the steps in this guide to establish a connection.
https://d.dam.sap.com/a/B5ADjFg/SAP%20Crystal%20Step%20by%20Step%20guide%20Connecting%20to%20MS%20Access.pdf?rc=10

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Note: For SAP Crystal Reports 2020, you will need a 64 bit connection so please download Microsoft Access Database Engine 2016 Redistribuable, not Microsoft Access Database Engine 2010 Redistribuable.

B. 6. SAP Crystal Reports: Connect to Microsoft Excel

PDF Step-by-Step Guide: Report from Microsoft Excel (.xls and .xlsx) sources by following the steps in this guide to establish a connection.
https://d.dam.sap.com/a/EwMrLB7/SAP%20Crystal%20Step%20by%20Step%20guide%20Connecting%20to%20MS%20Excel.pdf?rc=10

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Note: For SAP Crystal Reports 2020, you will need a 64 bit connection so please download Microsoft Access Database Engine 2016 Redistribuable, not Microsoft Access Database Engine 2010 Redistribuable.

B. 7. SAP Crystal Reports: Connect to MySQL

PDF Step-by-Step Guide: Report from MySQL data sources by following the steps in this guide to establish a connection.
https://d.dam.sap.com/a/ahdXFj5/SAP%20Crystal%20Step%20by%20Step%20guide%20Connecting%20to%20MySQL.pdf?rc=10

B. 8. SAP Crystal Reports: Create an invoice

PDF Step-by-Step Guide: Use this guide to create a report you can use as an invoice (or modify to create statements, shipping documents, etc.). https://d.dam.sap.com/a/bENU1fV/SAP%20Crystal%20Step%20by%20Step%20guide%20how%20to%20create%20an%20invoice.pdf?rc=10

B. 9. SAP Crystal Reports: Replicate a pre-printed form

PDF Step-by-Step Guide: Match the layout of a pre-printed form (tax forms, government submissions, bank certificates, payroll checks). https://d.dam.sap.com/a/7EUvxvu/SAP%20Crystal%20Step%20by%20Step%20replicating%20a%20pre-printed%20form.pdf?rc=10

B. 10. SAP Crystal Reports: Create a sales report

PDF Step-by-Step Guide: Create a report for operations, in this use-case follow the guide to build a sales report.
https://d.dam.sap.com/a/r1mkt1W/SAP%20Crystal%20Step%20by%20Step%20create%20a%20sales%20report.pdf?rc=10

B. 11. SAP Crystal Reports: Create a human resources report

PDF Step-by-Step Guide: Use Crystal Reports' flexible design tools and features to create a report for your business, in this case, an HR report. https://d.dam.sap.com/a/74orzpH/SAP%20Crystal%20Step%20by%20Step%20create%20an%20HR%20report.pdf?rc=10

B. 12. SAP Crystal Reports: Create an interactive dashboard

PDF Step-by-Step Guide: When building dashboards with SAP Crystal Reports read this guide to follow some best practices. https://d.dam.sap.com/a/EC1cDvU/SAP%20Crystal%20Step%20by%20Step%20create%20an%20interactive%20dashboard.pdf?rc=10

B. 13. SAP Crystal Reports: Create reports for publishing

B. 14. SAP Crystal Reports: Data Handling (select, group, sort)

PDF Step-by-Step Guide: Use fundamental data handling features in any report. https://d.dam.sap.com/a/ZUb7kX1/SAP%20Crystal%20Step%20by%20Step%20guide%20Data%20Handling.pdf?rc=10

B. 15. SAP Crystal Reports: Using Formulas with Crystal Reports

PDF Step-by-Step Guide: Learn how to use the Formula Workshop and the Formula Editor to create values not included in your data source. https://d.dam.sap.com/a/eKaYh9p/SAP%20Crystal%20Step%20by%20Step%20guide%20Formulas.pdf?rc=10

Get additional help with Formulas: https://help.sap.com/docs/SAP_CRYSTAL_REPORTS/dfc124becfa845ffa91b1e717b20e3ec/477b49c46e041014910aba7db0e91070.html

B. 16. SAP Crystal Reports: Using Charts with Crystal Reports

PDF Step-by-Step Guide: Use this guide to learn how to use charts within your reports. https://d.dam.sap.com/a/sdH4UyP/SAP%20Crystal%20Step%20by%20Step%20guide%20Charts.pdf?rc=10

See the different chart types available: https://d.dam.sap.com/a/zR5iTH3/SAP%20Crystal%20Solutions%20Chart%20types.pdf?rc=10

Look into third party charting capabilities: https://www.crchart.com/

B. 17. SAP Crystal Reports: Share a Crystal report

PDF Step-by-Step Guide: Share reports with end users without the need to design or modify the report. https://d.dam.sap.com/a/YHMG27Y/SAP%20Crystal%20Step%20by%20Step%20sharing%20a%20Crystal%20Report.pdf?rc=10

B. 18. SAP Crystal Reports: Upgrade from SAP Crystal Reports Viewer, SAP Crystal Reports for Visual Studio or SAP Crystal Reports for Eclipse to Crystal Reports

PDF Step-by-Step Guide: Learn why you should upgrade to SAP Crystal Reports or SAP Crystal Server. https://d.dam.sap.com/a/jzgrLxV/SAP%20Crystal%20Step%20by%20Step%20guide%20upgrade%20from%20viewer.pdf?rc=10

B. 19. SAP Crystal Reports: Entry level video tutorials

Watch tutorial videos for SAP Crytal Reports 2020:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLNmCOqDvMhACCxIjBZy9cGFBIQxxwtLCx

C. SAP Crystal Server

C. 1. SAP Crystal Server: Installation Guide from Evaluation to Production

C.2. SAP Business Objects Business Intelligence Platform

Here you will find installation and user guides related to the Business Intelligence Platform:

Business Intelligence Launch Pad User Guide:
https://help.sap.com/docs/SAP_BUSINESSOBJECTS_BUSINESS_INTELLIGENCE_PLATFORM/baaf5c869e824d07ab0109e7b093348e?locale=en-US&state=PRODUCTION&version=4.3.3

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Business Intelligence Platform User Guide:
https://help.sap.com/docs/SAP_BUSINESSOBJECTS_BUSINESS_INTELLIGENCE_PLATFORM/2710d05c6f7f452baddb4ca72b72fdc2?locale=en-US&state=PRODUCTION&version=4.3.3

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Business Intelligence Platform Central Management Console (CMC) User Guide:
https://help.sap.com/docs/SAP_BUSINESSOBJECTS_BUSINESS_INTELLIGENCE_PLATFORM/9029a149a3314dadb8418a2b4ada9bb8?locale=en-US&state=PRODUCTION&version=4.3.3

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Business Intelligence Platform Installation Guide for Windows:
https://help.sap.com/docs/SAP_BUSINESSOBJECTS_BUSINESS_INTELLIGENCE_PLATFORM/df8899896b364f6c880112f52e4d06c8?locale=en-US&state=PRODUCTION&version=4.3.3

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Business Intelligence Platform Upgrade Guide:
https://help.sap.com/docs/SAP_BUSINESSOBJECTS_BUSINESS_INTELLIGENCE_PLATFORM/985b023e35754728a151792b367f4536?locale=en-US&state=PRODUCTION&version=4.3.3

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Business Intelligence Patch Update Guide:
https://help.sap.com/docs/SAP_BUSINESSOBJECTS_BUSINESS_INTELLIGENCE_PLATFORM/673bf26e7af1455eb9d15173258ec242?locale=en-US&state=PRODUCTION&version=4.3.3
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Business Intelligence Suite Error Messages Explained:
https://help.sap.com/doc/45fe12516e041014910aba7db0e91070/4.3.3/en-US/sbo43sp2_error_messages_en.pdf

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Business Intelligence Workspaces User Guide:
https://help.sap.com/docs/SAP_BUSINESSOBJECTS_BUSINESS_INTELLIGENCE_PLATFORM/5c070bfe96f44d05bbc4ff98ffb09035/4591524c6e041014910aba7db0e91070.html
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Also you can access the full SAP BusinessObjects Business Intelligence Platform documentation at: https://help.sap.com/docs/SAP_BUSINESSOBJECTS_BUSINESS_INTELLIGENCE_PLATFORM

C. 3. SAP Crystal Server: View interactive reports

PDF Step-by-Step Guide: View pixel-perfect, fully interactive, real-time reports within a web browser. https://d.dam.sap.com/a/rijkfCM/SAP%20Crystal%20Server%20Step%20by%20Step%20view%20interactive%20reports.pdf?rc=10

C. 4. SAP Crystal Server: Schedule reports

PDF Step-by-Step Guide: Automate reports to run and distribute on a flexible schedule. https://d.dam.sap.com/a/q9TBaUV/SAP%20Crystal%20Server%20Step%20by%20Step%20schedule%20reports.pdf?rc=10

C.5. SAP Crystal Server: Mass Invoicing

PDF Step-by-Step Guide: Set up invoices to populate with individualized data. https://d.dam.sap.com/a/se9Z7KC/SAP%20Crystal%20Step%20by%20Step%20mass%20invoicing.pdf?rc=10

C.6. SAP Crystal Server: Sophisticated Distribution (Requires SAP Crystal Server 2020 (CS))

PDF Step-by-Step Guide: Distribute reports automatically customized for individual recipients. Using this capability requires the separate purchase of SAP Crystal Server 2020 (CS). https://d.dam.sap.com/a/oqQLLCm/SAP%20Crystal%20Server%205%20CAL%20Step%20by%20Step%20view%20sophisticated%20distribution.pdf?rc=10

D. Overview Material

D. 1. Watch our overview videos

Video: Solution overview: https://www.youtube.com/embed/W9-oDxRByDg
Video: Create a compelling data story: https://www.youtube.com/embed/6bL_dZwF7Sg
Video: Use color and contrast in your visualizations: https://www.youtube.com/embed/Z5xt7WLZZ_c
Video: Eliminate clutter in your visualizations: https://www.youtube.com/embed/T98wthL8ibU

A. SAP Crystal SolutionsA. 1. First Impressions of Crystal SolutionsA. 2. Download SAP Crystal sample filesB. SAP Crystal ReportsB.1. SAP Crystal Reports: From evaluation to productionB. 2. SAP Crystal Reports: Learn from our sample reportsB. 3. SAP Crystal Reports: Connect to a data sourceB. 4. SAP Crystal Reports: Connect to Microsoft SQL ServerB. 5. SAP Crystal Reports: Connect to Microsoft AccessB. 6. SAP Crystal Reports: Connect to Microsoft ExcelB. 7. SAP Crystal Reports: Connect to MySQLB. 8. SAP Crystal Reports: Create an invoiceB. 9. SAP Crystal Reports: Replicate a pre-printed formB. 10. SAP Crystal Reports: Create a sales reportB. 11. SAP Crystal Reports: Create a human resources reportB. 12. SAP Crystal Reports: Create an interactive dashboardB. 13. SAP Crystal Reports: Create reports for publishingB. 14. SAP Crystal Reports: Data Handling (select, group, sort)B. 15. SAP Crystal Reports: Using Formulas with Crystal ReportsB. 16. SAP Crystal Reports: Using Charts with Crystal ReportsB. 17. SAP Crystal Reports: Share a Crystal reportB. 18. SAP Crystal Reports: Upgrade from SAP Crystal Reports Viewer, SAP Crystal Reports for Visual Studio or SAP Crystal Reports for Eclipse to Crystal ReportsB. 19. SAP Crystal Reports: Entry level video tutorialsC. SAP Crystal ServerC. 1. SAP Crystal Server: Installation Guide from Evaluation to ProductionC.2. SAP Business Objects Business Intelligence PlatformC. 3. SAP Crystal Server: View interactive reportsC. 4. SAP Crystal Server: Schedule reportsC.5. SAP Crystal Server: Mass InvoicingC.6. SAP Crystal Server: Sophisticated Distribution (Requires SAP Crystal Server 2020 (CS))D. Overview MaterialD. 1. Watch our overview videos