Setting up the Crystal Viewer in Access

[skries]

Using Access 2003, Crystal versions 8.5 and XI on my machine.

I am trying to use the ActiveX crystal viewer control object in a form in my Access program/database. However, I am either having registering problems or something else. When I put the control object on the form all I get is a blank image object on the form. If I click on the object in design mode I see the viewer but have no means to assign a report to it.

Essential I have a command button on one form that calls another form with the viewer and report in it.

Any ideas as to where to start? I have tried the process of going through registering the crviewer.dll. Seems to not help any. I have also tried to register the crystl32.ocx but to no avail. Keep getting the error message "LoadLibrary("crystl32.ocx") failed - The specified module could not be found"

[pnish]

Welcome to the forums. I'm not sure if I know the answer to your problem, but I'd like to ask a question; If you're doing all this in Access, why not just use an Access report?

I just tried inserting the Crystl32.ocx on an Access form and had no problems.
I don't know why you can't register the Crystal OCX. Are you sure you got the path right?

The Crystal Viewer control is a slightly different kettle of fish in that I think you'll find you need to write some code behind it to access its functionality.

[skries]

Thanks for your response. The CRYSTL32.OCX file that I was trying to register was apparently corrupted and I was able to find another to use.

As to using Crystal instead of Access. I am unfamiliar as to whether I can create subreports in Access. Plus I have worked with Crystal for about 7 years and like its functionality. Much better than Access reports.

I understand from other sites that the Crystl32.ocx is for much earlier versions of Crystal. If that is the case I would like to know if there is any assistance in learing how to incorporate an XI version of the viewer into Access.

[pnish]

As to using Crystal instead of Access. I am unfamiliar as to whether I can create subreports in Access. Plus I have worked with Crystal for about 7 years and like its functionality. Much better than Access reports.

Can't argue with you there. Crystal beats Access reports hands down. And no, I don't think you can create sub-reports in Access (not 100% sure though).

I understand from other sites that the Crystl32.ocx is for much earlier versions of Crystal. If that is the case I would like to know if there is any assistance in learing how to incorporate an XI version of the viewer into Access.

The Crystal OCX hasn't changed since V6 and is no longer supported. It still works OK, but doesn't have as much functionality as the RDC. As for using the viewer in Access, I don't see why you couldn't but I have no experience there. How are your coding skills? Why not try writing your own front end in something like VB and just use Access as a database?

[RobDog888]

Access does support sub reports just fine. From the Report Toolbar > Insert SubForm/SubReport

[pnish]

Access does support sub reports just fine. From the Report Toolbar > Insert SubForm/SubReport

I'm still using Access97 (coz my boss doesn't want to spend any money) and I just discovered there's a Subreport/Subform wizard.

[skries]

Thanks for the heads up on the subreport feature. Funny, I always saw that tool but I guess it didn't register. I always associated that with Forms instead of Reports.

Being new to the Crystal Viewer process I am in the dark about using the viewer in Access beyond the Crystal Report Control. I am also a newbie to VB and so don't want to reinvent the wheel using Access as the database and then designing my own forms in VB. Beings that Access has the subreport feature I will see how that works with what I am trying to accomplish.

Thanks for all the info.