3616039 - How to convert a report based on a Universe (UNV), to connect directly to a database in Crystal Reports?

• How to convert a report from connecting to a Universe (UNV) to connecting to a database directly in Crystal Reports?
• The semantic layer, Universe (UNV) is deprecated from SAP BusinessObjects BI 2025, how to convert a report based on a Universe (UNV), to connect directly to the data source in Crystal Reports?

• SAP Crystal Reports 2016
• SAP Crystal Reports 2020
• SAP Crystal Reports 2025

• Before going any further
  • If the purpose of converting reports from using the semantic layer: Universe (UNV), to connecting directly to a data source is due to the fact the Universe (UNV) is deprecated, and removed from SAP BusinessObjects Business Intelligence platform 2025, then note that from Support Pack 04 of Crystal Reports 2020, Crystal Reports can connect to the semantic layer: Universe (UNX), therefore you can still use the Universe semantic layer in Crystal Reports 2020 and above, by converting the Universe (UNV), to a Universe (UNX), and perform a set data source location on the report to point to the converted Universe (UNX)
      
  • When converting a report from using the Universe semantic layer, to connect directly to a database, be aware you will lose all the Universe semantic layer functionalities, like: securities, table context,... since those functionalities does not exist when connecting directly to a database.  
      
      
• To convert a report from connecting to a Universe, to directly to a database in Crystal Reports 
         
  

  1. Find what data source the Universe connects to?
         
     1.1 In Crystal Reports, open the report based on a Universe (UNV)
     1.2 Under the menu "Database", select: "Set Datasource Location"
     1.3 In "Set Datasource Location", under "Current Data Source", expand the "Properties"
     1.4 Take note of the Universe Name.
     1.5 In the Universe Design Tool, import the Universe.
     1.6 Select "File - Parameters"
     1.7 In "Universe Parameters", under the tab "Definition", for the option "Connection", click on: "Test"
     1.8 In "Test the connection", it will show the database, and connection used for the Universe.
             Also, for additional information regarding the connection, click on: "Edit"

  2. On the local computer where Crystal Reports is installed:
           
     
     • Install and configure the database client if required; or
     • Install the ODBC driver and create an ODBC DSN to the database; or
     • Install and configure the JDBC driver; or
     • Install the OLEDB Provider to connect to the database.
       
       Note: This step is required because Crystal Reports does not use the database connection defined on the SAP BusinessObjects BI platform server. It connects directly to the data source from the local computer where Crystal Reports is installed. 
           
  3. Retrieve the SQL Query used by the report.
         
     3.1 In Crystal Reports, open the report based on the Universe
     3.2 Under the menu "Database" select "Show SQL Query"
     3.3 In "Show SQL Query", copy the SQL Query.
            
  4. Perform a Set Datasource location from a Universe (UNV), to a Command Object:
     
     4.1  In Crystal Reports, with the report based on the Universe open, under the menu "Database", select "Set Datasource Location"
     4.2  In "Set Datasource Location", under "Replace with", double click on "Create New Connection"
     4.3  Create a connection to the database used by the Universe.
     4.4  Under the database connection created, select "Add Command"
     4.5  Go back to the top, under "Current Data Source", select the Universe ( The blue square ), and click "Update"
     4.6  In "Add Command To Report", under "Enter SQL Query ...", copy the SQL Query taken from the report is step 2.
     
             Important Notes: 
            - If the report has prompt coming from the Universe, or that was created in the Query Panel,
               create parameter(s) of the exact same name, and same data type.
           - If the report based on the Universe used Measures, ensure you set an Alias for the Measure name 
                in the Select clause of the SQL Query.
     
     4.7  Click "OK"
     4.8  After clicking "OK"
     4.9  A Map Fields window will open and you need to select the correspondent field names in the target data source report.
     4.10  Back to "Set Datasource location", click "Close"
     4.11 Save the updated report under a different name, of you want to keep a copy of the original report.

CR, UNV, UNX , KBA , BI-RA-CR , Crystal Reports designer or Business View Manager , How To

SAP Crystal Reports 2016 ; SAP Crystal Reports 2020 ; SAP Crystal Reports 2025