Operation Manual

Introduction to Reporting
Choosing data sources and database fields
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Crystal Reports User’s Guide 85
• Rename repository object
Use this option to rename an existing SQL command in the BusinessObjects
Enterprise Repository.
• Options
Use this option to set the global options that appear on the Database tab
of the Options dialog box.
• Refresh
Use this option to refresh the list of available data sources in the
Database Expert.
Links tab
Database tables are linked so records from one database match related
records from another. For example, if you activate a Suppliers table and a
Product table, the databases are linked so that each product (from the
Product table) can be matched up with the supplier (from the Supplier table)
that made the product.
The majority of reports will probably require data from two or more tables, so
linking will be necessary. The process of linking is made easy by using the
Links tab of the Database Expert. See “Linking tables” on page 489.
The Field Explorer
Use the Field Explorer dialog box to insert, modify or delete fields on the
Design and Preview tabs of Crystal Reports. To see the Field Explorer, select
the Field Explorer command from the View menu.
Tree View
The Field Explorer shows a tree view of database fields and special fields that
you can add to your report. It also shows formula fields, SQL expression
fields, parameter fields, running total fields, and group name fields that you
have defined for use in your report.
Fields that have already been added to the report, or fields that have been
used by other fields (such as formula fields, groups, running total fields,
summaries, and so on) have a green check mark next to them.
Toolbar and Shortcut Menu
The Field Explorer’s toolbar provides buttons with tool tips and hot-key
combinations. You can right-click any item in the tree view to bring up a
shortcut menu.