There are two fundamental and mutually exclusive methods for using SQL statements in a Crystal Report. First you can use SQL to create a Command table. These are “logical” groupings of actual MAX tables that have been linked and are pre-processed before the rest of the Crystal Report. Crystal Reports refers to these as “virtual” tables. Creating command tables allows you to preprocess some of the data prior submitting it to the rest of the report. Once they created, you can link other MAX tables to them.

The second is the ability to use SQL expressions in a Crystal Report. SQL expressions are part of the User Function Library (UFL) shipped with Crystal. In this session, you will learn where to find them and how to use them to put the database name on your reports.

Finally, Crystal Reports creates SQL code for the main portion of your Crystal Report and there is a utility to see that code. In this last session we will show you that feature. This is significant for users that do not have access to the SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS). These users can develop the basic structure for a report and then copy the SQL code and paste it into a command table.