Tips & Tricks

How do you prevent Crystal Reports XI from checking for updates upon start-up?
Level: Beginner.

To prevent Crystal Reports XI from checking for updates upon start-up, use the following steps:

1. Start Crystal Reports XI.
2. Go to the 'Help' menu and click 'Check for Updates on Start Up' to deactivate this feature.



Setting Default Fonts in Crystal Reports
Level: Beginner.

Frustrated with reformatting every field you insert?
You can change these options easily.
To change your default fonts, just do the following steps:

1. Select File/Options from the Main Menu.
2. Click on the Fonts Tab within the Options Menu.
3. Click on a Field Type and choose your Font, Font Style, Font Size, and any other attributes you would like to add.
4. Click Okay when you are finished.



Setting Default Field Formats in Crystal Reports
Level: Beginner.

Generally, you will have certain field types such dates, numbers, etc., that you would like displayed consistently in the same manner.
You can configure the program to your preferences by performing the following steps:

1. Select File/Options from the Main Menu.
2. Click on the Fields Tab within the Options Menu.
3. Click on a Field Type and choose the options that you would like to change. Note the option tabs change with each type of field you have selected.
4. Click Okay when you are finished.



Page Setup in Crystal Reports
Level: Beginner.

Many new users are confused about how to set up their crystal report for printing.
In many programs this is done through the page setup option, however, in Crystal Reports, it is slightly different, but just as easy.
For instance, the report you are working on needs to be changed to landscape style, and it will require legal size paper rather than letter size paper.
To change your report for this, perform the followng steps:

1. Select File/Priner Setup from the Main Menu.
2. Select your printer from the Printer Dropdown Box.
3. Select Legal (8.5 X 14 in.) from the Size Dropdown Box under Paper.
4. Under the Orientation Box to the right of Paper, click the Button for Landscape to change your page orientation printing option.
5. Click Okay.
6. Now Preview your report, you will see that both your design workspace and report preview have changed.



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Intermediate Level Tips...