C# Crystal Reports

You can prepare your dataset in the application, use it for the grid and and then use it as also as a datasource in Crystal report. Here is an article explaining how to develop the report and how to set the datasource:
http://www.emoreau.com/Entries/Articles/2006/09/Feeding-Crystal-Reports-from-your-application.aspx

Crystal reports have the ability to sort data dynamically too. If the only requirement is to sort the data you can do this directly in the report. If you want also to filter the data then you need to use the grid and the report. If you change the order of the columns in the grid or add/remove columns, group data etc .  this is not going to be transferred to the Crystal report. The report and the grid will use the same datasources but will have separate layouts.

Yes, I use a dataset. I usually use an XSD and pass the dataset to the report.

The solution I'm looking for is:

1.  Report at this time will contain 3 fields with no grouping.
2.  Report at this time will contain 4 fields with one grouping.
3.  Report at this time will contain 4 fields with one grouping.
Etc.

Each an any scenario, when the user clicks on the Print Preview button to display the report accurately.

wouldn't it be easier to just use the print feature of the grid?

Is that possible?  

I also need to add a logo, Page # of #, DateTime.  Which is why I was using Crystal Reports.

You can create different reports or subreports and run the right one based on the user action. However, very soon you will be in trouble because the users will start asking for new options. It is just not a good idea to use fixed structure as Crystal reports as a preview of dynamic , which is the table. As Eric said, just use the grid preview

So, a dynamic report is NOT possible?

nothing is impossible but in the case you want the user to control everything (column order, sort order, grouping, ...), CR is surely not the way to go.

maybe creating a HTML output from your grid would be a nice workaround! have a look at http://emoreau.com/Entries/Articles/2009/04/Using-LINQ-and-XML-Literals-to-transform-a-DataTable-into-a-HTML-table.aspx

If grouping is removed and user can only change column order and sort order?

it would be easier but then you will need to deal with column width and formatting and ...

I told you, HTML is surely your best option

Crystal is fixed layout, you can add some codding and based on parameters to hide/show fields so for example you can show Customer field as a first , second, third etc.. column . However this will be enormous amount of work for very small benefit. You can use preview from the grid, it will show the data in the same was as it was on the screen.

How can I show preview from the grid?

for questions about the Infragistics UltraGrid, your best source will surely be http://www.infragistics.com/community/forums/65.aspx

@mlmcc - question

So, if I use the parameters - lets say I create 5 of them but only need 3 for one report what will happen with the other 2?  I don't want errors on the report.

Thanks

Depending on the version of Crystal, you could make them all optional.

Another solution would be to pass a "bad" value so the formula results in a blank being displayed.

mlmcc