I have several questions for you:
1) Why are you using Crystal. Yes, there are perfectly good reasons to do
so, but given that all versions of SQL Server now support Reporting Services
and the latest version of VS supports the new ReportViewer control that does
not need Reporting Services (but uses the same RDL report definitions), why
use Crystal at all.
2) The ReportViewer control can be used within Visual Studio applications
(even VB.NET) to show RDL-based reports. I have no idea how to do it with
Crystal. My experience with Crystal is several years old and so painful I
can't recommend it to anyone. Many of the developers currently using Crystal
are migrating as quickly as possible to RDL-based reporting.
3) You're already using SQL Server even though you're simply attaching to a
..mdb file. The design should be the same--just the ConnectionString and
server configuration will change.

This is all discussed in my book. I hope to be in the Netherlands this Fall
for a conference. Perhaps we could discuss it then.

--
____________________________________
William (Bill) Vaughn
Author, Mentor, Consultant
Microsoft MVP
INETA Speaker
www.betav.com/blog/billva
www.betav.com
Please reply only to the newsgroup so that others can benefit.
This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights.
__________________________________
Visit www.hitchhikerguides.net to get more information on my latest book:
Hitchhiker's Guide to Visual Studio and SQL Server (7th Edition)
and Hitchhiker's Guide to SQL Server 2005 Compact Edition (EBook)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[quoted text, click to view]

Hello,

I want to create Crystel Reports using Crystal Reports XI Release 2 and
store the reports as individual files on my PC.
My database is a *.mdf (SQL Server database file).

1. Which connection method should I use when creating Crystal Reports in CR
XI r2?
2. Can someone provide me with hints on how to show the reports throug
VB.NET code in my application?
3. Later on, I intend to use a real SQL Server and no longer a SQL Server
database file. Will there be (many) changes to perform? Is there a big
difference between adressing a *.mdf file and an actual SQL Server?

Many thanks and greetings from Brugge (Bruges - Belgium),

Michel