Crystal Report training

Karen Diener 2

It looks like my question is not new, but there are no recent comments so I'll start it up again! Can anyone suggest some good training for Crystal, especially as it relates to Blackbaud? I think that some of the things I want to create are pretty basic for someone well-versed in Crystal, but there is an initial knowledge gap that I just can't quite leap. If I get a boost in the right direction, I have a feeling I can take it from there. Most of what I want to create is pivot table / cross tab type of stuff. For example, a table that shows four constituency codes as rows, and then has columns for the total number of constituents, the number who donated to a particular program in the fiscal year, and some percentages. I'll be at BBCON, so maybe we can talk further when we're there! Karen Diener

Joshua Bekerman bCLO bCRE

Karen Diener:
It looks like my question is not new, but there are no recent comments so I'll start it up again! Can anyone suggest some good training for Crystal, especially as it relates to Blackbaud? I think that some of the things I want to create are pretty basic for someone well-versed in Crystal, but there is an initial knowledge gap that I just can't quite leap. If I get a boost in the right direction, I have a feeling I can take it from there. Most of what I want to create is pivot table / cross tab type of stuff. For example, a table that shows four constituency codes as rows, and then has columns for the total number of constituents, the number who donated to a particular program in the fiscal year, and some percentages. I'll be at BBCON, so maybe we can talk further when we're there! Karen Diener

 Hi Karen, I'd be glad to chat at BBCon.  In the meantime, feel free to post specific questions on the forums and I'll help as much as I can.

My "Working Smarter with Crystal Reports" BBCon presentation is 3:00 to 4:15 on Monday so you can catch me before, during and/or after that, or get in touch by email or twitter (@tentwentytoo) and we can find a time to meet.

Thanks,

Josh

 

Patti OConnell

Karen Diener:
It looks like my question is not new, but there are no recent comments so I'll start it up again! Can anyone suggest some good training for Crystal, especially as it relates to Blackbaud? I think that some of the things I want to create are pretty basic for someone well-versed in Crystal, but there is an initial knowledge gap that I just can't quite leap. If I get a boost in the right direction, I have a feeling I can take it from there. Most of what I want to create is pivot table / cross tab type of stuff. For example, a table that shows four constituency codes as rows, and then has columns for the total number of constituents, the number who donated to a particular program in the fiscal year, and some percentages. I'll be at BBCON, so maybe we can talk further when we're there! Karen Diener

I also needed the "boost in the right direction" and took the Blackbaud training for Crystal Reports.  The Intro and Intermediate online courses were helpful but the Custom Reporting with Crystal Reports classroom course with Sean Holland was excellent!  You are able to ask lots of questions that are specific to your needs. 

Karen Diener 2

Patti O'Connell:

I also needed the "boost in the right direction" and took the Blackbaud training for Crystal Reports.  The Intro and Intermediate online courses were helpful but the Custom Reporting with Crystal Reports classroom course with Sean Holland was excellent!  You are able to ask lots of questions that are specific to your needs. 

Thanks Josh - I saw your session and was definitely thinking about that one, but haven't had much time to review the whole session grid yet. It is one of the only sessions that popped right up as "oh - interesting! I should definitely look at that one!" And Patti - great idea, and it reminded me that we just renewed our annual contract with BB and incorporated some training into it. I searched online and there are a couple of courses that I can take at no cost at all, so I'm really excited to get started on that! Karen

Melissa Graves 2

Karen Diener:
Thanks Josh - I saw your session and was definitely thinking about that one, but haven't had much time to review the whole session grid yet. It is one of the only sessions that popped right up as "oh - interesting! I should definitely look at that one!" And Patti - great idea, and it reminded me that we just renewed our annual contract with BB and incorporated some training into it. I searched online and there are a couple of courses that I can take at no cost at all, so I'm really excited to get started on that! Karen

Karen - I highly recommend Crystal Reports training for sure. There is so much you can do and glad you found a way to get some.

With regards to the specific report you are trying to create - there is also pivot tables that do not need to be done through crystal. If you have a query of the gifts you want included, you can go straight to reports - pivot reports and pull in your query and create a pivot report.

Knowledgebase has this solution for How to Create a Pivot Report to get you started. https://www.blackbaud.com/kb/index?page=content&id=BB88412&actp=search&viewlocale=en_US&searchid=1379624701756

Good Luck!

Theresa Dougherty

Karen Diener:

It looks like my question is not new, but there are no recent comments so I'll start it up again! Can anyone suggest some good training for Crystal, especially as it relates to Blackbaud? I think that some of the things I want to create are pretty basic for someone well-versed in Crystal, but there is an initial knowledge gap that I just can't quite leap. If I get a boost in the right direction, I have a feeling I can take it from there. Most of what I want to create is pivot table / cross tab type of stuff. For example, a table that shows four constituency codes as rows, and then has columns for the total number of constituents, the number who donated to a particular program in the fiscal year, and some percentages. I'll be at BBCON, so maybe we can talk further when we're there! Karen Diener

This is anyone currently interestedin Crystal Report training? I know of one highly regarded expert trying to fill a class that I am interested in but other suggestions greatly appreciated.

Clare Allen

I can also recommend the Crystal Reports training through Blackbaud.  I completed it via distance education and it was well worth the effort!

Tammie Cach Abdu

Many years ago I had my office buy the Crystal Reports for Dummies book. I found it very helpful. You may want to look into that.

Chester Bammel

I also regularly use Crystal Reports: The Complete Reference by George Peck, available on Amazon and elsewhere.  There are separate versions for each version of Crystal, so you should be able to find the one most relevant to you.

 

Karen Stuhlfeier

 I agree with this. When you take the classes through Blackbaud you learn how to integrate the reports that you write with RE.

 

roger berg

Karen Diener:

It looks like my question is not new, but there are no recent comments so I'll start it up again! Can anyone suggest some good training for Crystal, especially as it relates to Blackbaud? I think that some of the things I want to create are pretty basic for someone well-versed in Crystal, but there is an initial knowledge gap that I just can't quite leap. If I get a boost in the right direction, I have a feeling I can take it from there. Most of what I want to create is pivot table / cross tab type of stuff. For example, a table that shows four constituency codes as rows, and then has columns for the total number of constituents, the number who donated to a particular program in the fiscal year, and some percentages. I'll be at BBCON, so maybe we can talk further when we're there! Karen Diener

Hi Karen - not sure what's available in your area, but I did a two-day intensive course at a local community college and found it to be very helpful.

John Heizer

Theresa Dougherty:

 

Karen Diener:

It looks like my question is not new, but there are no recent comments so I'll start it up again! Can anyone suggest some good training for Crystal, especially as it relates to Blackbaud? I think that some of the things I want to create are pretty basic for someone well-versed in Crystal, but there is an initial knowledge gap that I just can't quite leap. If I get a boost in the right direction, I have a feeling I can take it from there. Most of what I want to create is pivot table / cross tab type of stuff. For example, a table that shows four constituency codes as rows, and then has columns for the total number of constituents, the number who donated to a particular program in the fiscal year, and some percentages. I'll be at BBCON, so maybe we can talk further when we're there! Karen Diener

This is anyone currently interestedin Crystal Report training? I know of one highly regarded expert trying to fill a class that I am interested in but other suggestions greatly appreciated.

 

Keep in mind that RE using Crystal Reports XI, which is 10 years old.  Most training outside of Blackbaud is surely going to focus on newer versions and will have lots of bells and whistles that won't be available when you then try to write reports for RE.  And, since Crystal Reports is "on the chopping block" and will not be used in NXT, you might want to look at learning Microsoft's SQL reporting tools instead.


Or, just start small with the For Dummies book and then see if you need more specialized training.  http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/businessobjects-xi-release-2-for-dummies-derek-torres/1102486784?ean=9780470181126#productInfoTabs

 

Denise Small Kelley

Honestly, I was still struggling with Crystal after taking all the instruction that Blackbaud offered, but have learned by leaps and bounds simply by building reports. I wish that additional resources were available, but I now am building reports I couldn't have imagined two months ago when I did the webinars offered. I have found some CR XI books helpful, but playing around with it has been by far the best training for me.