Here is a sampling of the benefits that registered members enjoy:

Free training
Free software
Interactive participation
Community recognition
Informative newsletters
Helpful forums
Expert blogs
Exclusive networking events
Register now.(https://www.sdn.sap.com/irj/sdn/register)
 

 * SDN is the SAP Developer Network of SAP NetWeaver, Enterprise SOA, and SAP solution developers and technologists. The Business Process Expert Community is a community consisting of business analysts, solution consultants, and process owners.

(* This information was copied from sap.com. All rights reserved to SAP *)

http://help.sap.com/businessobject/product_guides/ 

Some of the links for BOE…

1. BusinessObjects Enterprise Administrator’s Guide

http://help.sap.com/businessobject/product_guides/boexir2/en/xir2_bip_Admin_en.pdf  

2. BusinessObjects Enterprise™ XI. Getting Started Guide

http://help.sap.com/businessobject/product_guides/boexi/en/boeXI_Getstarted_en.pdf

3. BusinessObjects Enterprise. InfoView Guide

http://help.sap.com/businessobject/product_guides/boexi/en/boeXI_UserGde_en.pdf

http://help.sap.com/businessobject/product_guides/boexir2/en/xir2_bip_user_en.pdf

a. Unlinked subreport

b. Linked subreport

Ans: b

2. On-demand subreports are or can be

a. Linked

b. Unlinked

c. Executed when the user clicks the hyperlink

d. Opened in-place in the report

e. Opened in their own Preview tab

Ans : a, b, c, e

3. Which methods can be used to share data between a report and a subreport?

a. Selection formulas

b. Parameters

c. Global variables

d. Shared variables

e. Stored procedures

Ans : b, d

4. A shared variable must be declared in the main report before it is used in a

subreport.

a. True

b. False

Ans : b

5. If Convert Other NULL Values to Default is checked, then

a. NULL numeric formulas will return zero.

b. NULL string formulas will return blank.

c. NULL numeric database fields will display as zero.

d. NULL string database fields will display as blank.

Ans: a, b

6. What is the result of the following formula if Quantity is NULL, Price is $1.50,

and all report options are at their defaults?

{Quantity}*{Price}

a. Zero

b. $1.50

c. NULL

d. An error

e. 1

Ans :c

7. There are three records in a report. The values of FieldA are 100, NULL, and 50.

You insert a summary on FieldA and choose Average. What will the average be?

a. 75

b. 50

c. NULL

d. An error

e. Zero

Ans:a

8. Which of the following data source types are selected for use in a report via the

Database Expert?

a. Tables

b. Views

c. Stored procedures

d. SQL Commands

e. Business Views

Ans : All

9. The Current Connections folder lists

a. Data sources used in the active report file

b. Data sources used in all open report files

c. Connected data sources for the active report file

d. Connected data sources for all open report files

e. All connected data sources

Ans: e

10. The Add Command is not supported for which of the following database types?

a. Oracle

b. DB2

c. SQL Server

d. Informix

e. Sybase

Ans: b, d, e

11. OLE DB is similar to ODBC except that

a. No database layer is required.

b. An OLE DB provider is required instead of an ODBC driver.

c. Crystal Reports does not supply OLE DB providers.

d. Crystal Reports does not supply ODBC drivers.

e. OLE DB only works against Microsoft databases.

Ans :d

12. Which of the following could be used in a record selection formula that is

passed to the server?

a. @Discount

b. %Discount

c. #Discount

d. ?Discount

e. IsNull

Ans : b, d, e

13.  Which two utilities can be used to test ODBC connections and run queries?

a. SQLCon32

b. ODBC Trace

c. ODBC Test

d. Dependency Walker

e. Modules

Ans : a, c

http://www.businessobjects.com/product/catalog/crystalreports/default.asp

Crystal Reports features:

http://www.businessobjects.com/product/catalog/crystalreports/features.asp

~~ Sources: Business Objects website

Dynamic Cascading Prompts

If you are someone who has been using Crystal Reports 8.5 and are just now upgrading to XI,  wouldn’t be surprised to find out that Dynamic and Cascading Prompts are what sold you on the upgrade. Dynamic and Cascading Prompts (DCPs) are a milestone upgrade over the static prompts of previous versions.

DCPs give you two benefits. The first benefit is that the list of values is linked directly to the data source. When the underlying data changes, the list of values is updated to reflect the latest information. The second benefit is that the prompts are linked together. The value(s) chosen in one prompt effect the list of values in the following prompt. The user only sees a list of values directly related to their previous choices.

DCPs improve the usability of parameters by insuring that the data is always current and that the user only sees choices relevant to what they are doing.

Dynamic Graphic Location

If you wanted to include dynamic graphics in previous version of Crystal Reports, you either had to embed the images into binary fields within your database or write an application that programmatically loaded the images into memory and placed them on the report. There was no easy way to display images stored on the hard drive of your computer on a report. XI makes dynamic graphic locations possible. By referencing an image via a file path or URL, reports can load new images on the fly and display them on the report.

New Export Features

Exporting report output is a very common task. So common that you often find yourself exporting a report in the same way each time. Rather than require you to set the same options each time, Crystal Reports now lets you save default values for the export options. Setting default values makes it faster to export reports and you don’t have to remember which options are best.

A new RTF export format lets you export reports so that it is easier to edit the final output. This is ideal for reports that will be used for data entry forms. You could export to RTF prior to XI, but the format was optimized for precise formatting. Editing the RTF wasn’t very practical. You now have a choice between exporting that is optimized for editing or optimized for precise formatting.

Sorting

The sorting of groups and Top N/Bottom N reports now have a Formula Workshop button associated with them. Conditional formatting formulas can be used to change the sort order. By integrating this with parameters, the user gains more control over their report output.

Hierarchical Grouping Improvements

Hierarchical reports used to be very limited in how the final output looked. Each column was formatted using an indented tree format and sometimes the report wasn’t easy to read. XI gives you an improved set of formatting functionality that increases how much control you have over a report’s final output. You control the indentation of report objects and the grouping sections.

HTML Preview

A new tab in the report designer lets you view reports in their HTML format. This gives you immediate feedback about how accurately your reports will appear when viewed as a web page. HTML preview is only available when using Business Objects Enterprise or the Report Application Server.

Dependency Checker

The Dependency Checker verifies error checks a report and lists all problems found. This consists of checking the syntax of formulas, validating hyperlinks, validating database fields, and verifying subreports.

Workbench

The Workbench makes it easy to organize multiple reports into folders. By organizing reports into specific categories you can easily find the reports you need and manage them. You can also use tools such as the Dependency Checker across all the reports in a folder.

Application Designer Improvements

Programmers have many new improvements to look forward to after installing XI. Programmers now have more control over their reports, better integration of Java functions, client-side web printing, and improved report design.

Note:

If you are using Crystal Reports for .NET 2005, you need to install Crystal Reports XI Release 2. Crystal Reports XI was released almost a year prior to .NET 2005 being released and they are not compatible with each other. Thus, there is a new version of Crystal Reports XI that is compatible with .NET 2005. You need to download and install XI Release 2 from the Business Objects website.

~Source: Internet…

The report SQL queries that have been sent to the server cannot be executed, because an error was returned by the database server after it processed the queries. For example, a field/table/procedure required by the report is missing, or the queries contain syntax errors.

Action

Ensure the report is using the correct connection information. For example, the data source name, server name, database name and user name are correct. In a database client test tool, ensure that the fields, tables and procedures used by the report exist and that SQL queries can be executed against them. In the Crystal Reports designer, verify that the SQL query, as shown under the Database menu Show SQL Query option does not contain syntax errors. If the SQL query shown in Crystal Reports is valid, execute the same SQL query through a database client test tool.

2. Database Connector error: Got error 28 from storage engine [Database Vendor Code: 1030]
Cause:

This error apparently means that MySQL server has run out of disk space and is unable to write to the file system.
Action:

Clear space on the partition where MySQL server’s data is stored, and this will fix the error!
3. We can display the range values of the parameter by using a following formula (for a date range parameter) :

Totext(Minimum ({?report_date}),”dd-MMM-yyyy”) +
” to ” +
Totext(Maximum ({?report_date}),”dd-MMM-yyyy”)

1 . The Preview tab always displays current data.
a. True b. False
Answer : b
Explaination :
The Preview tab retrieves data from the database the first time when report is run. The Preview tab may display out-of-date information until a refresh occurs.

2. The Group Tree is always available in both the Design window and the Preview
window.
a. True b. False
Answer : b
3. Select the option that does not differ between Design and Preview tabs for a report.
a. Display of page margins b. Vertical rulers
c. Page Controls d. Status bar contents
e. Field formatting options
Answer :e
4. Which of the following always makes to access database?
a. On Clicking the Refresh button
b. On Clicking the Preview tab
c. On Choosing View Preview
d. On Clicking the Print Preview button
e. On Selecting File Print Preview
Answer : a
Explaination :
On clicking the Refresh button, will always cause to new data to be retrieved. The
other options will only cause data to be retrieved if no saved data already exist.
5. Use of The Database Expert
a. Connect to Data Sources
b. Create ODBC DSNs
c. Add tables to a report
d. Link the tables used in a report
e. Add fields to a report
f. all of the above options
Answer : a,c,d
6. Planning of a report should do
a. Produce a better report
b. Speed the development process
c. Provide documentation
d. Uncover possible problems
e. Act as a sign-off point
Answers: All
7. Which of the following field types cannot be embedded in a text object?
a. Database
b. Text object
c. Formula
d. Parameter
e. Special
Answers: b.
Explanation: A text object cannot be embedded in another text object.

8. Which of the following fields is a parameter?
a. {Param}
b. {%Param}
c. {?Param}
d. {@Param}
e. {#Param}
Answers: C

9. Parameters can be given default values in order to
a. Keep the user from having to type values
b. Mask the user’s entry to restrict what can be entered in each place
c. Keep the user from entering incorrect values
d. Give the user a longer definition of coded values
e. Limit the length of the user’s entry
Answers: a, c, d.
10. Which combination of conditions might cause the first page of a report to
Display no records?
a. Keep Group Together is checked.
b. Keep Group Together is cleared.
c. Respect Keep Group Together on First Page is checked.
d. Respect Keep Group Together on First Page is cleared.
e. Repeat Group Header on Each Page is checked.
f. Repeat Group Header on Each Page is cleared.
Answers: a, c
11. Which of the following Group Sort Expert options allow you to sort based on
more than one summary field?
a. No Sort
b. All
c. Top N
d. Bottom N
e. Top Percentage
f. Bottom Percentage
Answer : b
12. In an array called Colors, equal to ['Red', 'Blue', 'Green',
'Yellow'];
Colors [2], will equal which of the following?
a. “Red”
b. “Blue”
c. “Green”
d. “Yellow”
e. Error
Answer: b.
Explanation: Crystal Reports arrays are 1-based, so Colors [2] is “Blue.”
13. What is the result of the following formula
{Order.Amount}-{@Discount}*{Quantity}+20/100
if {Order.Amount} is 200, {Quantity} is 3, and {@Discount} is 5?
a. 6.05
b. 185.20
c. 624.00
d. 184.80
Answers : b
Explanation: 200 – (5 × 3) + (20/100) = 200 – 15 + 0.2 = 185.20.

14. You can use any report file as a template by
a. Clicking the Browse button of the Template Expert
b. Clicking the Browse button of the Template screen of the report wizards
c. Saving the file to the template directory and then picking it from the
Available Templates list of the Template Expert
d. Saving the file to the template directory and then picking it from the
Available Templates list of the Template screen of the report wizards
e. Choosing File Apply Template and clicking the Browse button
Answers : a, b, c, d

15. Charts cannot be placed in which of these sections?
a. Report Header
b. Report Footer
c. Details
d. Group Header
e. Group Footer
Answers : c
16. Which of the following tabs are available on the Chart Expert?
a. Type
b. Data
c. Axes
d. Options
e. Text
Answers : All
17. Reports can be optimized for web viewing using which of the following strategies:
a. Using subreports instead of linking tables
b. Avoiding maps
c. Using the Page N of M special field to help users understand how many pages
are in the report
d. Saving reports as version 10
e. Avoiding reports with drill-down capabilities
Answers: b,d
18.Manual running totals are created by using which three types of formulas?
a. Initialization
b. Aggregation
c. Reset
d. Display
e. Summary
Answers: c,d,e.

19. Column totals in a cross-tab can be placed at the top of the grid or at the bottom
of the grid.
a. True
b. False

Answers: a

20. You can edit which of the following field types directly from the Cross-Tab Expert?
a. SQL Expression fields
b. Running Total fields
c. Formula fields
d. Database fields
e. Parameter fields

Answers : C