... about placing an object exactly where you want on a report.
If you experience difficulty placing an object exactly where you want on a report, several things may help. First, select File ->Options and reduce the Grid Size, perhaps to .01 inches. When you move objects that are snapping to the grid, a much finer “snap” will result. Or, turn off the Snap to Grid option altogether (with the same File -> Options choice). Then, objects can be moved freely and precisely on the report. Also, you may find that using your cursor keys instead of the mouse may provide for more precise object placement. Select the desired object or objects that you wish to move and use the up, down, left, or right keys on the keyboard. If Snap to Grid is turned on, objects will move one “grid snap” for each key press. If Snap to Grid is turned off, objects will move in very small, precise increments for each key press.
Thanks to Robert E. McCoy of Puyallup, WA, for this tip!

... the best way to troubleshoot database performance problems.
SOLVING THE PROBLEM. This tip is continued from our January 2006 newsletter.
Once you've determined which of the major steps is slowing your report down, you may begin the process of solving that particular problem.

Database Performance Problem
If your report appears to be slowed down by a database performance problem (the Accessing Database message appears for an inordinate amount of time), you may need to work with your database administrator to improve the performance of the supplied SQL query.

1. Choose Database|Show SQL Query from the Crystal Reports pull-down menus. This will show the actual SQL query that's being sent to the database server by Crystal Reports.
2. Look for the WHERE clause in the SQL query. This portion of the query should closely match the record selection you've set up in your report.
3. You may wish to copy the contents of the SQL query to the Windows clipboard. You may then paste it into an e-mail message, a text editor such as Notepad, or a database query tool such as Microsoft Query Analyzer.
4. Double-check with your database administrator to see if the fields contained in the WHERE clause are indexed on the database server. You may find a substantial improvement in query speed if indexes are added for some or all of these fields.

Online Learning Series - Log On...Learn...LIVE!

Report Design Tips & Tricks #2 (New Topics), May 18, 2006
Ablaze Group Online Learning Series. This live learning experience features Ablaze Group technical professionals covering vital Business Intelligence topics with a follow-up question and answer period. Allow for at least 60 minutes. The past 3 sessions (due to increased audience participation the Q & A periods were extended) lasted 90-minutes!. Great value for your training dollars.
George Peck presents Thursday, May 18, 10a to 11a MDT.
Attendance is limited. Call 800 773 3472 now to register.

2006 Q2 Technical Track - 1 Session Each Month

• Report Design Tips & Tricks #2 (new topics) - May 18, 2006
• Exploring Crystal Enterprise/Crystal Reports Server Architecture - June
• The Ins and Outs of Crystal Charts - July

Take a look at our course outlines.
Call or email for details.