Opening an Access report in ReportViewer

Based on this thread it would appear so.
http://forums.microsoft.com/MSDN/ShowPost.aspx?PostID=176302&SiteID=1

I don't know any more than that.

Do you mean without access opening at all or without having to open access first and view the report from access?

kiranboi,

Since Access Reports live inside the DB, you have to "Open Access" in one way or another.
(With code, opening a hidden instance of Access)

Even using a Report shortcut on the desktop requires Access to be opened.

Some options:


You could:
Save the Report to the Snapshot format:
-Access needn't be open.
-It will be static a static report.
-Users will still need Office to view it.

Or, save the Report as HTML
Again, it will only be static.
But users only need a web browser to view it.

Or (If this is even an option), go outside of Access and use Crystal Reports.
Duplicate the Report with Crystal. Then either open the Crystal Report, (which will be linked to the Access data), or use a Crystal Reports "Viewer".
In either case the Report will be "Live".

Hope this helps.

boag2000, thanx for the comments. I am having a look at the Crystal Reports option.
Is there a way of letting my users create a custom Crystal Report at runtime like they can do with Access?

kiranboi,

You don't have to go the Crystal Report route just yet.
The catch here is that the users will have to now "Learn" CR, and how it differs from Access.
You can wait to see if another expert can provide another alternative.

<create a custom Crystal Report at runtime like they can do with Access>
If by "Runtime" you mean while Access is open, then yes.
They can create or modify a Crystal Report anytime they like. As long as CR can connect to the Database.
Think of CR as a similar report engine to what is *in* Access, but it is actually *outside* of Access.
It basically Links into the Access Data to get its source.

There is also a "Refresh" feature in CR where users can refresh the data to see any recent updates.

But just like anything else, If they are trying to create/Modify a Report from Access and the Access source can change or be deleted, then they have to be aware of that.
If you ever move or Rename the DB (or any other object the Report needs from Access), Crystal might be confused.
:O
You will have to use the "Set Location" option to repair the reference.

JeffCoachman

Thanks for that :)

One last, quick question. If using the report creator in Access obviously Access needs to be open and the user can then create, edit and view reports using Access. With Crystal Reports can the facility to create, edit and view reports be integrated into my VB .Net application so the user isnt using a seperate application for reporting?

Perfect, thats exactly what i needed. Thanks!!

;)