Crystal Reports for DataFlex enables developers to access almost any data, format data into dynamic content, integrate dynamic content into applications, and let end users view, interact with, and modify reports at runtime.

Access to Data

Crystal Reports provides more data connectivity options than any other vendor.

• More than 35 data drivers - Access virtually any data with native, ODBC, and OLE DB connectivity to DataFlex, relational, OLAP, XML, legacy, and enterprise data sources.
• Custom data - Access custom JavaBeans and COM data providers for more flexible data connectivity.
• Complete control over database connectivity - Query your database using Crystal Reports’ proven query generation capabilities or write your own SQL for unlimited control over database connectivity.
• Unicode support - With full support for Unicode strings, you can display data stored in virtually any language as well as present multiple languages in a single report.
• XML support - Integrate Crystal Reports with your B2B or B2C applications via XML access or export.
• Application data - Report off in-memory application data.

Content Creation

New productivity tools in Crystal Reports, including component reuse technology, customizable templates and the Formula Workshop, make creating reports faster and easier.

• Reusable report objects - Expedite the report design process by storing key report objects - including text objects, SQL commands, bitmaps, and Custom Functions - in the Repository, a central library for sharing, reuse and single-point updating across multiple reports.
• Custom Functions - Eliminate redundant formula creation. Extract business logic from formulas to create Custom Functions that can be used across multiple reports. Store Custom Functions in the new Repository for single point updating and easier report maintenance. Crystal Reports Whitepaper: Using the Repository for More Productive Report Development (57KB )
• Customizable templates - Create and apply customized templates to multiple reports for faster design and deployment. Use customizable templates to specify standardized formatting and logic - including data access operations - to ensure design consistency across reports. Existing reports can also be used as templates! Crystal Reports Whitepaper: Using Template Reports For Increased Productivity (55KB )
• Any report type - Create virtually any report you need, including Cross-tab, Conditional. Drill-down, Top N, Summary, Form, OLAP, and Subreports.
• 100+ data presentation options - Transform data into powerful information that end users can interact with and analyze. Crystal Reports includes more than 100 formatting options, including Charting, Mapping, Grouping, Sorting, Alerting, Field highlighting, Drill-down, and Parameter prompts.
• Parameter prompts - Let users view the same data in different ways without creating multiple reports. Users can select pre-defined parameters in a single report to receive a subset of customized data.

• Powerful formula language - Crystal Reports extensive formula language includes over 160 built-in functions and operators as well as user-defined functions for complete control over report formatting, complex logic and data selection. It includes a codeless Wizard, call stack, and auto complete for faster creation of any formula. The powerful Formula Workshop lets you create important summary data that might not be present in your database.

Application Integration

Crystal Reports provides a range of proven components that support COM, .NET, and Java application development. And you don’t have to learn a proprietary programming language to get results!

• Any development environment - Integrate reports into your Visual DataFlex, DataFlex and WebApp Server applications, as well as .NET, various Java IDEs, COM, Lotus Domino, and more! Crystal Reports’ flexible SDKs (100% Java, .NET and COM) let you integrate reports into almost any application.
• Complete web flexibility and control - Tightly integrate reporting into web applications. Included with your Crystal Reports purchase (Developer or Advanced Editions), the Crystal Enterprise Report Application Server provides a powerful, multi-threaded processing server and rich object model that tightly integrates with your enterprise architecture for high-performance web applications. It includes flexible licensing and advanced zero-client viewer controls for enterprise-strength report viewing, interaction, and modification at runtime. Learn more about the Crystal Enterprise Report Application Server.
• Royalty-free runtime - Integrate hundreds of royalty-free runtime properties, methods and events into thick-client applications for deployment at no extra cost!

Report viewing and interaction

Crystal Reports provides flexible options that let end users view and interact with information in familiar formats and via familiar environments - including Microsoft© Office documents, portals and wireless devices.

• Multiple export formats - Give end users reports formatted the way they want. Export reports to popular formats, including XML, PDF, HTML, Excel®, RTF, Word®, Text, CSV, ODBC, and Record-style.
• Support for Microsoft® Office XP Smart Tags - Allow end users to insert key report objects - including charts and tables - into Microsoft® Outlook®, Word® or Excel® for instant viewing and refreshing from within the Office document itself.
• Customizable report viewers - Choose from a variety of report viewer controls, including ActiveX, Java, .NET and DHTML. Zero-client viewers automatically implement navigation, exporting, and drill-down capabilities for every report created. New Report Parts viewers let you integrate key elements from existing reports into wireless devices or portal applications without having to design separate reports

Crystal Reports XI for DataFlex is available in Standard, Professional, Developer and Server Editions. See the Features Overview Chart (360 KB ) for more about what is contained in each Edition.

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