Perhaps the best thing about Structured Query Language (SQL) databases is the fact that so many excellent reporting products can talk to them. One of the best SQL reporting and charting products is Crystal Reports. Crystal Reports 8 for Dummies shows you how to use this product to maximum effect, even if you don't yet know the first thing about SQL, databases, or effective strategies for presenting information. It patiently reveals what you need to know, using all of the Dummies tricks--including lots of illustrations and a dose of humor--to get the facts across.

This book does a great job with stepped procedures. You find out what to do in various situations, of course, but also what Crystal Reports will do in response. This approach to procedures helps ensure that you always know what to expect as you navigate Crystal's interface. Coverage of formulas is particularly good, shedding some light on a subject that sometimes causes new Crystal users to stumble. The SQL tutorial material is quite strong as well, teaching you the essentials effectively. This book will be a big help as you extract data from databases and prepare it for use. --David Wall

Topics covered: Crystal Reports 8 for novice and intermediate users; how to manage database tables with Crystal Reports, with emphasis on extracting information from databases, performing calculations on it, and presenting the results as reports and graphics; reports; subreports; drill-downs, SQL connectivity; and Crystal's function library.


Book Description
Create presentation-quality reports that make a point and make decisions easier. This friendly guide shows you how to design database reports that tell a clear, compelling story -- from simple one-table displays to integrated presentations with all the bells and whistles. Whether your firm uses Access or dBASE, Oracle or Sybase, this book is just what you need to get more done with your data.


Book Info
Guide showing the reader how to design database reports that tell a clear story, from simple displays to integrated presentations. Shows how to make presentations with data from Access, dBase, Oracle, or Sybase, teaching the reader how to sort, select, and group records, create reports, work with formulas, and more. Softcover.


From the Publisher
Discover how to: Master the new features Select, sort, and group records Work with formulas and formatting Link reports to other databases


From the Back Cover
Discover how to distribute reports over the Web Find out how to integrate Crystal Reports with Microsoft Office Create presentation-quality reports that make a point and make decisions easier This friendly guide shows you how to design database reports that tell a clear, compelling story — from simple one-table displays to integrated presentations with all the bells and whistles. Whether your firm uses Access or dBASE, Oracle or Sybase, this book is just what you need to get more done with your data. Discover how to: Master the new features Select, sort, and group records Create cross-tab and summary reports Work with formulas and formatting Link reports to other databases The Dummies Way™ Explanations in plain English "Get in, get out" information Icons and other navigational aids Tear-out cheat sheet Top ten lists A dash of humor and fun Get smart! www.dummies.com Register to win cool prizes Browse exclusive articles and excerpts Get a free Dummies Daily™ e-mail newsletter Chat with authors and preview other books Talk to us, ask questions, get answers


About the Author
Douglas J. Wolf, the author of more than 32 computer books, is the president of Wolf's Byte Productions, which produces training videos and CD-ROMs on various software products.

FROM THE PUBLISHER