Generating a Simple Crystal Report using VS 2005 - Creating a DataLink file
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The Microsoft DataLink utility can be used to create a DataLink file with the *.udl extension. If you create a new text document and change its extension from *.txt to *udl, a DataLink file will be created. This can be configured by double clicking the icon of the file. This opens the DataLink Properties window as shown with the Connection tab in the default view. Click on the Provider tab, and then scroll up or down until you locate the SQL Native Client. Highlight the SQL Native Client and click Next, or change to the Connection tab.
The data source is the SQL 2005 Server which in this case is Hodentek/Mysorian where Hodentek is the Windows XP machine and Mysorian is the SQL 2005 Server instance. The logon information is what is appropriate for the SA user. You may save the password with the connection. If the information up to this point is correct, you will be able to access all the databases on this server as shown in the drop-down box. For this report the Northwind database will be used. The reader will benefit from the earlier SQL 2005 articles on the ASPFree.com site. At this point you can also verify that the connection is correct by clicking the test button.
Make sure that after this task you go back to the OleDB Provider screen and browse and locate this file.
Connecting to the Data Server
After locating the file, click on the Finish button. This brings up the next screen where you make the connection by providing the authentication information.
Do you want to change something?
When you click on the Next button, the OLEDB(AD0) screen presents some advanced information. You could "Edit" or "Remove the Property" altogether. For this tutorial the default is accepted.
Next: Selecting the Data >>
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