SAP Knowledge Base Article - Public

1889760 - Error: "Failed to read data from report file" when attempting to save a report with parameters to the server from Crystal Reports

Symptom

  • Error when attempting to save a report with parameters to the server.
  • When attempting to save a report that uses parameters from Crystal Reports to the SAP BusinessObjects BI platform,
    it fails with the error: 

    "Failed to read data from report file ...
     Reason: Unable to launch ReportAdd program to add report to the system."

Environment

  • SAP Crystal Reports 2020
  • SAP Crystal Reports 2025
       
  • SAP BusinessObjects Business Intelligence platform 4.3
  • SAP BusinessObjects Business Intelligence platform 2025

Reproducing the Issue

  1. In Crystal Reports, create a report based on any data source.

  2. Add a parameter.

  3. Change the properties of the parameter:
    - Prompt with Description Only is set to "True" 
    - Show Value or Description is set to "Show Value"

  4. Add the parameter to the Record Selection Formula of the report, like:

         <Database Field Name> = <?Parameter>
        
  5. Save the report from Crystal Reports, to the SAP BusinessObjects BI Server, and it fails with the error.

Cause

The error occurs because when the parameter properties "Prompt with Description Only" is set to "True"
it contradict the the parameter option "Show Value or Description" that is set to "Show Value"

Resolution

  • Change the parameter properties "Show Value or Description", and set it to:  "Show Description"
    1. In Crystal Reports, edit the parameter.
    2. Change the parameter option: Show Value or Description, and set it to: "Show Description".
    3. Now you can save the report successfully.

Keywords

Cannot save report, not able to publish parameter based report, cr, parameter, prompt , KBA , BI-RA-CR , Crystal Reports designer or Business View Manager , Problem

Product

SAP Crystal Reports 2020 ; SAP Crystal Reports 2025