Integrating Crystal Reports in .NET using C#

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Introduction

This article is aimed at users who want to embed Crystal reports in Windows based .NET applications using C#.

Using the Code

Embedding Crystal Reports in a Windows based application goes through easy steps:

1. Add your report name in the reports combo:

   

2. Apply your criteria:

   //
   // show the controls that create the report criteria
   //
               hideAll();
               if(reportChoose.SelectedIndex==1)
               {
                   cmbCriteria.Visible=true;
                   lblCriteria1.Visible=true;
                   Choose.Size = new Size(224, 208);
                   ShowReport.Location = new Point(40, 168);
                   lblCriteria1.Text = "From Country:";
                   dbutil.fillCombo(cmbCriteria, 
   		"select country from employees group by country");
                   cmbCriteria.Items.Insert(0,"All Countries");
                   cmbCriteria.SelectedIndex = 0;
               }
               else if(reportChoose.SelectedIndex==2)
               {
               }

   So we have this:

   

3. Create XML based on your data to create a report depending on it:

   //
   // view report action
   //
               crvReport.ReportSource = null;
               this.Cursor = Cursors.WaitCursor;
               if(reportChoose.SelectedIndex==1)
               {
                   string sql = "select * from employees";
                   if(cmbCriteria.SelectedIndex!=0)// show all employees
                   {
                       sql+= " where country='"+cmbCriteria.Text+"'";
                   }
                   WriteSchemaFile(sql);
               }
               this.Cursor = Cursors.Default;
               System.GC.Collect();

   This will create an XML file on the local drive C: (wait... it is not a fixed path report, it will be dynamic soon) called data.xml.

   //
   // WriteSchemaFile method
   //
           private void WriteSchemaFile(string SQL)
           {
               OleDbDataAdapter da = new OleDbDataAdapter(SQL, dbutil.con);
               DataSet ds = new DataSet("data");
               da.Fill(ds, "dataTable");
               ds.WriteXml("c:\\data.xml", XmlWriteMode.WriteSchema);
           }

4. Create a report based on the XML file:

   • Add a new report:

   

   • Choose XML data source:

   

   • Locate file:

   

   • Click Finish.

This is the unformatted version of the report.

After formatting:

//
// view report action
//
            crvReport.ReportSource = null;
            this.Cursor = Cursors.WaitCursor;
            if(reportChoose.SelectedIndex==1)
            {
                string sql = "select * from employees";
                if(cmbCriteria.SelectedIndex!=0)// show all employees
                {
                    sql+= " where country='"+cmbCriteria.Text+"'";
                }
                //WriteSchemaFile(sql);
                reports.employees emp = new CRElegantViewer.reports.employees();
                emp.Database.Tables[0].SetDataSource(getDataSet(sql));
                crvReport.ReportSource = emp;
                crvReport.Visible=true;
                tools.IsExpanded = true;
            }
            this.Cursor = Cursors.Default;
            System.GC.Collect();
//
// get DataSet Method
//
        private DataSet getDataSet(string SQL)
        {
            OleDbDataAdapter da = new OleDbDataAdapter(SQL, dbutil.con);
            DataSet ds = new DataSet("data");
            da.Fill(ds, "dataTable");
            return ds;
        }

So now, you don't need the XML file anymore.

Have fun!

This article, along with any associated source code and files, is licensed under The Code Project Open License (CPOL)