Crystal Reports Cascading Parameters | CLEARIFY

Creating Cascading Parameters

There are times where you have multiple companies in QQube, and you want to choose from a list of customers, accounts, jobs, etc that apply to only one company - instead of having a list of customers from all companies. This can be accomplished using a Crystal Reports Feature called Cascading Parameters.

Using the sales_(qqube10.x).rpt example in the QQube Configuration Tool we will create a cascading paramters that will allow us to choose from a list of customers, dependent upon the company you choose.

We need three pieces to make this work:

1. Create a custom view using the Crystal Command mechanism
2. Create a Cascading Parameter
3. Assign the Cascading Parameter to a Report Filter

Creating a Custom View in Crystal Reports

First, invoke the Database Expert in Crystal Reports:

Double Click on the Add Command:

In the Add Command Window, enter a Custom SQL Statement like the following:(In this example we are linking the company name with the customer dimension).

Click OK

Click OK again:

Click OK when you see this warning message:

Click OK when you see the second warning message:

Creating a Cascading Parameter

First, invoke the Database Expert in Crystal Reports:

Call this Parameter 'Customer' and Choose Dynamic (Use 'String' as default type):

Next, Choose the Company Name as the First Data Source:

Notice the Value Options highlighted in green:

Now Create the second list (which will be dependent upon the first parameter):

Fill in the Value Options for this second parameter as follows:

Assigning the Parameter to a Custom Filter

Open up the Record Formula Selection window:

Assign the newly created Customer Name parameter (NOT the Company Name parameter) to the Customer Name field:

Results

Now, when we refresh the report we will see one set of customers if we choose one company:

And another set of customers if we choose a different company:

For more on cascading parameters, look in the Crystal Reports Help Menu.