Exporting Crystal Reports to a CSV File

Using Crystal Reports Built-In Export Function

Crystal Reports allows users to export report elements directly to a CSV file. To perform this export, the user must specify separator and delimiter characters that define how the values in the CSV will be separated. These characters ensure that the data is formatted correctly for CSV files, which are known as Comma Separated Values. This format is particularly popular among Microsoft Excel users due to its compatibility and ease of use. When exported, Crystal Reports generates one line of values for each record within the report, including all sections of the report. However, it's important to note that the CSV format cannot be used to export reports that contain cross-tabs or subreports within the Page Header or Page Footer sections.

Considerations for Exporting to CSV

When exporting Crystal Reports to CSV, it may be beneficial to explore the use of a third-party tool to have more control over the export process. Some built-in options in Crystal Reports, such as "Isolate Report / Page Sections," might not function as intended on certain platforms or are unavailable when uploading to online platforms like InfoView. Therefore, it is essential to consider the compatibility and requirements of the platform where the CSV file will be used or uploaded.

Import Crystal Reports Directly with Sourcetable

Transitioning from Crystal Reports to a spreadsheet format is now more seamless than ever with Sourcetable. Unlike the traditional method of exporting reports to CSV files, Sourcetable enables you to sync your live data directly from Crystal Reports into its versatile spreadsheet interface. This streamlined process not only saves time but also maintains data integrity by reducing the risk of errors that might occur during the manual export and import phases.

With Sourcetable, you can effortlessly automate the data import process from various sources, including Crystal Reports. This automation capability ensures that your spreadsheets always contain up-to-date information, providing a solid foundation for informed business intelligence decisions. The intuitive interface of Sourcetable, reminiscent of familiar spreadsheet programs, makes it easy to manage and query your data without the need for complex database knowledge, granting you the power to focus on analysis rather than the intricacies of data handling.

Common Use Cases

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  Use case 1: Exporting data for import into Microsoft Excel or other applications that support CSV format
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  Use case 2: Generating uniform structured data files for data integration or migration tasks
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  Use case 3: Creating backups of report data that can easily be appended to existing CSV files using third-party tools
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  Use case 4: Modifying header column names with carriage returns and line feeds to resolve import issues into other platforms
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  Use case 5: Utilizing a third-party UFL to control the Byte Order Mark (BOM) when writing to a CSV file for compatibility purposes

Frequently Asked Questions

How can I remove empty lines from a CSV when exporting a Crystal Report?

To remove empty lines from a CSV, you must adjust the design of your report to eliminate unnecessary sections or suppress blank sections before exporting.

Why does Crystal Reports export only what is seen on the screen?

Crystal Reports exports only what is seen on the screen because it is designed to export the report as rendered, ensuring that what you see in the preview is what you get in the CSV output.

Why might someone choose to export to CSV instead of another format like a text file?

Someone might choose to export to CSV instead of another format because CSV is a popular format for Excel users and facilitates easy data manipulation and analysis.

How can I get all of the data to export from a Crystal Report?

To get all of the data to export, ensure that all sections of the report are included and visible, and that there are no cross-tabs or subreports in the Page Header or Page Footer sections which cannot be exported to CSV.

Are there other export options when using Crystal Reports?

Yes, Crystal Reports offers multiple export options aside from CSV, such as PDF, Excel, Word, and others, suitable for different requirements and preferences.