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Using XSD Files

Printed From: Crystal Reports Book
Category: Crystal Reports 9 through 2020
Forum Name: Report Design
Forum Discription: The best way to design a report and problems you have encountered
URL: http://www.crystalreportsbook.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=11629
Printed Date: 27 Apr 2024 at 12:40pm


Topic: Using XSD Files
Posted By: sufs2000
Subject: Using XSD Files
Date Posted: 08 Nov 2010 at 10:29pm

Hi, sorry if this is in the wrong section? Im looking into alternatives for Rational Publishing Engine (RPE) and came across crystal reports. I basically need to find a reporting tool that will allow me to make reports from an XSD file repository? Is this something CR can do? I am using tools in the Rational SW Suite like ClearCase, ClearQuest and ReqPro. These IBM applications publish to a data service layer where all files are stored in an XSD file format, can CR be used to generate reports from these application's files?

Any help would be great!


Replies:
Posted By: lockwelle
Date Posted: 09 Nov 2010 at 3:19am
hmmm....
I use xsd files to develop CR reports, but I don't run from the files in production.  In production, the applicaiton passes the XSD/XML file to the report, which displays it. 
 
When developing from a file, when the file changes, I have to go and refresh the data source, which is a bit of work, as CR is not as effective as I think it should be. (you need to refresh each table in the file separately...you can't just say refresh the datasource).
 
Maybe someone else has another option, but with a bit of work (or have an application pick up the file, read it into a dataset/datatable and set the datasource of the report) it should be doable.
 
HTH

Posted By: sufs2000
Date Posted: 10 Nov 2010 at 3:45am
Thanks for the help Lockwelle, so now atleast I know Crystal Reports does have the capability to process the XSD files, I will have to get hold of a copy and play around with it. Is creating a report from an XSD file a difficult thing to pull off though as I am completely new to all this.
 
Would you know of any other reporting tools that would be able to generate reports from XSD files?
 
Thanks.

Posted By: lockwelle
Date Posted: 10 Nov 2010 at 12:13pm
Laying out the report from an XSD, as long as the file has both schema and data, is the same as connecting to the database.
 
As for others, we are using a 3rd party control in our application that reads xml files.  It is XtraReports from DevExpress, but it is not stand alone (at least to the best of my knowledge)
 
HTH

Posted By: sufs2000
Date Posted: 17 Nov 2010 at 12:10am
Thanks Lockwelle. I'm thinking now of downloading a copy of Crystal Reports and testing it with some XSD files, see if I can actually get some reports out of it. Would you know of any guides that may help me in getting my reports created from these XSD files? And also does the version of CR make a difference or do all versions handle reports from XSD files? Thanks.

Posted By: lockwelle
Date Posted: 17 Nov 2010 at 5:22am
I think that I just used help in Crystal.  I have only used them with XI and 2008, but anything XI and up should do...I don't know how far back the option goes (9.x or 10.x)
 
The actual design was really easy, you just set the path to your XSD file (schema and data) and it is just like connecting to a database table.  The field list is populated and the data types are set...just like you would see connecting to a stored proc or to a table.
 
glad I could help

Posted By: sufs2000
Date Posted: 14 Dec 2010 at 3:54am
Hello, I have another Crystal Reports query, that is a follow up to my previous question. Since last time I have managed to get hold of a copy of Crystal Reports XI :) I am however still struggling to create a report from an XSD file though. I have been clicking on create new report > Create new connection > double click ADO.NET (XML) and then set the File Path to my XSD file. A new Data Set appears and shows the fields from the XSD file which is great :) Now when I create a report I get all the headings onto the report but how do I run it and get the report to pull out some data as all my reports are coming out blank? Can you please help?
 
Thanks

Posted By: lockwelle
Date Posted: 14 Dec 2010 at 4:11am
well, here's the rub...
 
my reports are called from an application, and in the application we set the DataSource of the report (push the data to the report) and all is fine.
 
When I am using the IDE for Crystal and I change the XSD file, I need to refresh the DataSource (and each table inside of it) and the 'Retrieve' the report. 
 
I don't know how you would get users to be able to do the same, but if it is just you...
 
HTH

Posted By: sufs2000
Date Posted: 14 Dec 2010 at 4:15am
Sorry, I didn't understand any of that? I have 1 xsd file, I just want a report to pull out the data from it? What steps should I follow?

Posted By: lockwelle
Date Posted: 14 Dec 2010 at 4:37am
what I have found I need to do is everytime the xsd file changes is Database/Set DataSource Location right click on the conneciton the report uses and select refresh. Repeat this for every table in the connection. Once that is done, return to the report and click refresh for the report (the circular arrows). Not as simple as it should be if you ask me, but it is what works for me.
 
HTH

Posted By: sufs2000
Date Posted: 14 Dec 2010 at 4:52am
Hi.. I have just tried that approach, I clicked refresh on each of the tables but the report is still coming up blank after i have refreshed it? Could you step me through the process as if you were adding an XSD file for the first time, not updating anything? I feel as though I am very close now.. Thanks.

Posted By: lockwelle
Date Posted: 15 Dec 2010 at 5:45am
having just modified a report today, the process is:
Database / Set Database Location
  Create New Connection
    ADO.NET(XML)
     select the file that is the desired XSD file
 
report now has a dataschema (and perhaps data, depends if your XSD file has the XML data or just the schema).
 
 
If the XSD file only contains schema information, your report will be blank as it has no data.  I write out the XML data along with the XSD schema in one file, then I have both schema and test data.
 
HTH


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