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Ray Polzin
Ray Polzin ✭
Tenth Anniversary Facilitator 1
in Blackbaud Raiser's Edge NXT®: General Discussion
Good day everyone,



Can anyone tell me if it's possible to use a third party SQL reporting tool to access The Raiser's Edge database?  If so, has anyone attempted to use JetReports to connect directly with the RE database?  Is there a data dictionary/data mapping reference available that specifies table and field names, and how they are used by RE?



Many thanks for any guidance you can provide.



Ray Polzin 
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  • John Heizer
    John Heizer ✭
    Ancient Membership Facilitator 3 Photogenic
    I've done lots of things in Access and Crystal Reports, but not JetReports.



    The data dictionary should be available from within RE under Help > RE:VBA/API Help > Programmer Reference > Database Reference.
  • Ray Polzin
    Ray Polzin ✭
    Tenth Anniversary Facilitator 1

    John Heizer:

    I've done lots of things in Access and Crystal Reports, but not JetReports.



    The data dictionary should be available from within RE under Help > RE:VBA/API Help > Programmer Reference > Database Reference.


    Thanks John.  I will check it out.
  • James Andrews
    James Andrews ✭
    Ancient Membership Facilitator 2 Photogenic
    I've also done a lot of things in Crystal, Access and even PowerPivot in Excel, but haven't used Jet Reports.



    The database schema is also available in your program files\\blackbaud\\re7\\help directory, called RE7Schema.chm. I think this is the file the Help topic reads from.
  • Sally Jenkins
    Sally Jenkins ✭
    Ninth Anniversary Facilitator 1 Photogenic
    I have used Crystal Reports, MS Access and am now using CorVu Business.  We also use MicroEdge FIMS and were introduced to CorVu (Rocket Software) by MicroEdge.  I am using CorVu, which ME calls "Compass" to connect the FIMS db with Raiser's Edge db.

    There are tons of tools you can use to connect to the RE back-end.  Be warned that the back-end database structure is ugly (complex) and linking the tables to get to the data you want will involve some trial and error.

    If you are not well versed in DB structure I would recommend exporting the data you want from RE into MS Access.  One strategy would be to have two Access db's one with the data (exported from RE) and the other that links to the data and has the reports set up.​​
  • Ray Polzin
    Ray Polzin ✭
    Tenth Anniversary Facilitator 1
    Thank you!  I have a background in database administration but there is no training available anywhere to help a person wade through a complicated, even convoluted, schema!  JetReports is used by our accounting department, so buying another package isn't going to happen.  But it's all for nought, as I've learned we haven't purchased the  RE:VBA/API feature.

    I'm currently waiting for feedback from BB as to the costs to us. 
  • John Heizer
    John Heizer ✭
    Ancient Membership Facilitator 3 Photogenic

    Ray Polzin:

    Thank you!  I have a background in database administration but there is no training available anywhere to help a person wade through a complicated, even convoluted, schema!  JetReports is used by our accounting department, so buying another package isn't going to happen.  But it's all for nought, as I've learned we haven't purchased the  RE:VBA/API feature.

    I'm currently waiting for feedback from BB as to the costs to us. 

    FYI, you don't need RE:VBA/API (which can be VERY expensive) to be able to get read-only access to the database for reporting.  My understanding is that the Read Only Database Assistance (RODBA) is included with most maintenance contracts now (just can be a pain to get activated on each workstation) and even without it you can get at the database through ODBC.



    A direct path to the data dictionary is "C:\\Program Files (x86)\\Blackbaud\\The Raisers Edge 7\\Help\\RE7Schema.chm"

  • Sally Jenkins
    Sally Jenkins ✭
    Ninth Anniversary Facilitator 1 Photogenic

    Ray Polzin:

    Thank you!  I have a background in database administration but there is no training available anywhere to help a person wade through a complicated, even convoluted, schema!  JetReports is used by our accounting department, so buying another package isn't going to happen.  But it's all for nought, as I've learned we haven't purchased the  RE:VBA/API feature.

    I'm currently waiting for feedback from BB as to the costs to us. 



    Feel free to give me a call 415.512.6209 (work number).  I think we can discuss a few options for you on the phone a little easier than here.

    Sally​

     

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