What's New in Version 7?

Seagate Crystal Reports 7 includes a lot of new features and some important enhancements to existing features. This section describes some of the more significant changes in this release. Please see the Supported Features by Edition section for platform and version specific information.

New Features

Document Import Tool This expert allows you to convert an existing text based report into a Seagate Crystal Report. After selecting this option in the Report Gallery, you simply select an existing ASCII report file and graphically highlight portions of text corresponding to sections, fields and static text. Seagate Crystal Reports then extracts the data into a Microsoft Access database and generates a Seagate Crystal Report from this database. A format file is also generated which can be used to automatically convert subsequent similar text reports directly.
Field Mapping Expert A simple visual tool to help you to map existing report fields to a new or changed database. This allows an existing report to be created using one database but adapted for use with another different database with different field names. The new mapping is saved in the report and only needs to be performed once or whenever the underlying database structure is changed.
Server-Side Processing A report design option that allows reports to perform grouping, sorting and other operations on the SQL database server, instead of downloading all data to the client computer. This can substantially improve performance of reports which  access large amounts of data and incorporate hidden groups, details or on-demand subreports.
On-Demand Subreports An option which allows subreports to be processed only when requested by a user. Subreports are displayed as icons in the main report and run only when double-clicked. This can speed up the presentation of the main report by delaying subreport processing until required by the user viewing the report.
Geographic Mapping Geographical maps can now be inserted in reports to visually show the data relationships between geographic regions. A variety of different world and country maps are included and additional maps can also be added later. A new Analyzer tab can be used to interactively zoom in, pan or alter the appearance of the map during viewing without redesigning the report.
Running Totals Expert Running totals can now be added to a report using a simple expert with wide variety of totaling options. This removes the need to create running totals using multiple formula fields and makes creating and changing running totals a snap.
Crystal Query A new query generation tool which works in both desktop and web environments. Java applets allow you to create ad hoc queries remotely using compatible web browsers. Simply select a database from a list of available sources, choose fields and specify sorting, grouping, and selection  options. The results appear in a Query Results Grid which you can use to analyze the data, change sort order, column orders, etc. The results of the query can then be saved as a simple report (in RPT format) which can be viewed using one of the standard Smart Viewers.
Field Highlighting Provides a simple way to highlight particular field values without having to use formulas. Font colour, background colour and borders can be set to change based on the numeric value of report or cross-tab fields.
JavaBean Viewer A new programmable JavaBean report viewer allows Java developers to incorporate report viewing into their Java-based client applications.

Enhanced Features

Cross-Tabs Advanced options have been added to cross-tabs to allow labels, totals, empty rows or empty columns to be suppressed. Grand totals and cells also have more formatting options and columns can be kept together on page breaks.
Report Export The new Smart Viewers can now export copies of the report to the client computer in either Word, Excel, HTML or RPT file formats. Export to Excel format has been improved to add native subtotal and totaling formulas.
Parameter Fields Parameter fields can be used to modify the report at run time by prompting the user to input or choose various selection criteria. Parameter fields have been enhanced to provide default values, prompting text, pick lists with  multiple choices, masking (formatting) and range or length checking on user inputs.
Formula Editor The formula editor user interface has been completely redesigned to make selecting fields, function and operators faster and easier. Similar items are now grouped in categories using a "tree" interface for fast navigation. Search and replace, bookmarking and numerous customization features are also provided.
File Storage The RPT file format has been changed to create smaller files with faster compression. and more efficient storage of complex reports containing subreports. The new format is also forward compatible, allowing you to open reports created in later versions of SCR.
Charting The Charting expert has been redesigned to make selecting graph types faster and more logical. Similar graph types are now grouped together and you can quickly select graphs from a "gallery" of styles giving you access to more graphs without having to use the "custom" editor.
Web Report Server Overall performance of the CRWEB components has been improved with better caching and job sharing. Web Reporting now supports the various Windows 95, 98 and NT servers from Microsoft in addition to the ISAPI and NSAPI versions supported in previous versions.
Report Designer Component The Delphi VCL has been improved with a reorganized object model to make it easier to use, new sub-classes, more event support and support for almost all PrintEngine and subreport features.
Delphi VCL The Delphi VCL has been improved with a reorganized object model to make it easier to use, new sub-classes, more event support and support for almost all PrintEngine and subreport features.
CGI Web Server Interface The CRWEB report server component now supports a Common Gateway Interface (CGI) allowing it to run with other Windows-based web servers including Apache and Lotus Domino web servers.

For the latest information about this product, please visit the web site at www.seagatesoftware.com/crystalreports.

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