Hour 4. Using the Default Report Wizards

Now that you have been introduced to the Crystal Reports 9 development environment and reviewed different strategies for accessing your data, you are ready to begin creating reports using the default report wizards. The report wizards are provided to expedite the report design process for report designers of all skill levels, but they are especially useful for new users of Crystal Reports.

The report wizards, also commonly referred to as report experts, provide a simplified interface and guided path to constructing the fundamental elements found within most reports. As a result, designing interactive, professional looking reports can be achieved in a matter of minutes.

In this hour, we will cover the following topics:

• Understanding the Crystal Reports Gallery

• Using the Standard Report Creation Wizard

• Working with the Report Design Explorers

Using the default report wizards as a starting point for most reports is a good idea. The report wizards offer a shortcut to establishing the core elements required for most reports. Hour 5, "Creating and Designing Basic Reports," builds on many of the principles covered in this hour.