1211305 - How to 'Set Location' to a new data source in the Crystal Reports 8.5 designer

In the Crystal Reports 8.5 (CR) designer, how do you change an existing report to connect to the database if the database has been moved to a new location or if the database has been renamed?

Changing the connection to the database in CR is required if someone sends you a report that uses a database that has a different location than your system, or if you have changed the directory or disk location of a database.

To change an existing report to connect to the database if the database has been moved to a new location or if the database has been renamed, use the 'Set Location' command.

TO USE THE SET LOCATION COMMAND IN CRYSTAL REPORTS:

1. Select the 'Set Location' command from the Database menu. The Set Location dialog box appears. The list of active databases appears in the "Databases:" box.

2. Select the database for which you want to change the location. When you highlight a database on the list, the program displays the location (path) of that database in the "Location:" box.

3. Set the new location for the database:

* If you want to set the database location to the location of the active report, click the 'Same As Report' button. Crystal Reports is now set to search for the database in the same directory in which the report has been saved. You cannot use the 'Same As Report' button until you have saved the report.

- OR -

* If you want to set the database location to a location other than the location of the active report, click the 'Set Location' button. The Choose Database File dialog box appears.

- OR -

* If you want to select a database with a different name, select the new name from the "Databases:" box in the Set Location dialog box and click the 'Set Location' button. The Choose Database File dialog box appears.

4. Click the 'Set' button in the Choose Database File dialog box once you have completed selecting the correct data source.

5. Click 'Done' to exit the Set Location dialog box.

6. Refresh the report.

Upon completing the 'Set Location' command, Crystal Reports changes the report to reflect the new name and/or the new location.

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NOTE: Perform the 'Verify Database' command after completing the 'Set Location' command to update any structural changes to the database tables and fields.

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To set the database location in Crystal Reports 9 refer to Business Objects Note 1215396 - How to set the data source location in Crystal Reports 9 and later.

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