Crystal Reports PUSH method using ASP.NET

Introduction

This article explains how to use PUSH method for drawing reports. It will also explain how to use user DataSets in an ASP.NET page for reports. There are two types of methods for drawing the reports:

1. PULL method- the crystal report makes connection with the database, brings the fields data and draws the report.
2. PUSH method- we create the DataSet, choose fields of the DataSet as report fields and then push it to the crystal report. Here I am going to explain the PUSH method only.

Steps

1. Create a new ASP.NET project.

   

2. Insert new item as DataSet.

   

3. Add elements to the DataSet which you want on the report. Save All, then right click on the DataSet filename in the solution explorer and select command "Build and browse".
4. Then add a new item to the project as “Crystal report” and insert a blank report.
5. In the server explorer, right click database field and select database expert and expand the project data and select DataSet in the table selector and press OK.

   

6. Then drag the fields from the database fields of server explorer in the detail section of the report. Arrange the fields as you want.

   From the toolbox, add crystal report viewer control on to the page. That will add this variable:

   C#

   protected CrystalDecisions.Web.CrystalReportViewer CrystalReportViewer1;

7. Populate the DataSet. Set the report DataSource and CrystalReportViewer report source.
   C#

   private void Page_Load(object sender, System.EventArgs e)
   {
   CrystalReport1 report=new CrystalReport1();
   CrystalReportViewer1.Visible=true;
   DataSet ds=new DataSet("Account");//give same name as on 
   //dataset1 table header
   DataTable table=new DataTable("Account");//give same name as on 
   //dataset1 table header 
   table.Columns.Add("Fname",typeof(System.String));
   table.Columns.Add("Lname",typeof(System.String));
   table.Columns.Add("Salary",typeof(System.String)); 
   DataRow row=table.NewRow();
   row["Fname"]="Mathew";
   row["Lname"]="Hayden";
   row["Salary"]="5000$";
   // add to table
   table.Rows.Add(row);
   ds.Tables.Add(table);
   // set report's dataset
   report.SetDataSource(ds);
   // set report source
   CrystalReportViewer1.ReportSource =report;
   }

   The output will be as follows...

   

Points to be careful of

1. Give same names on Dataset and the table element name of inserted DataSet.
2. As and when you modify DataSet, build it again and log off the current connections in report. Set the DataSource location again pointing to new DataSet, otherwise database fields of the report will not take the change.
3. Setting up DataBind properties of the report viewer can be avoided. It can be done at runtime.