SAP Crystal How-to Guides

The pdf documents listed below are meant for SAP Crystal Reports, SAP Crystal Server (user), and SAP Crystal Server (CS). Depending on the version you are using (2025, 2020, 2016, ...) and the Service Pack you have installed, some features and capabilities described might not be available to you. Also some capabilities might be available only for certain products. Please carefully check what license you own.

PDF Step-by-Step Guide: Check out the valuable features and capabilities of Crystal Solutions.
https://d.dam.sap.com/a/DGnZgLs/A1_SAP%20Crystal%20Step%20by%20Step%20First%20Impressions.pdf?inline=true&rc=10&doi=SAP1199229
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Download our SAP Crystal templates in . rpt format:
https://crystal-reports-downloads.s3.amazonaws.com/SAP-Crystal-Reports-sample-reports.zip
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Download our SAP Crystal sample database in MS Excel format:
https://crystal-reports-downloads.s3.amazonaws.com/Ridin-Round.xls
Download our SAP Crystal sample database in MS Access format:
https://crystal-reports-downloads.s3.amazonaws.com/xtreme1.mdb
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Note: To open the MS Access file from SAP Crystal Reports 2016, you will need to save it as a Microsoft Access Database 2002-2003 file.

PDF Step-by-Step Guide: Learn how to replace a trial keycode with a permanent keycode.
https://d.dam.sap.com/a/NBDnQXU/B1_SAP%20Crystal%20Step%20by%20Step%20guide%20from%20trial%20to%20production%20license%20key.pdf?inline=true&rc=10&doi=SAP1198277
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PDF SAP Crystal Reports 2025 Installation Guide:
https://help.sap.com/docs/SAP_CRYSTAL_REPORTS/9fe2522cc23841d389160e24e801186f/76765fb1849c4cdd9ef81ef34d2710c3.html
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PDF SAP Crystal Reports 2020 Installation Guide:
https://help.sap.com/docs/SAP_CRYSTAL_REPORTS/9fe2522cc23841d389160e24e801186f/76765fb1849c4cdd9ef81ef34d2710c3.html?version=2020.4
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PDF SAP Crystal Reports 2016 Installation Guide:
https://help.sap.com/docs/SAP_CRYSTAL_REPORTS/9fe2522cc23841d389160e24e801186f/76765fb1849c4cdd9ef81ef34d2710c3.html?version=2016.9
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Start a 30 days trial for SAP Crystal Reports:
https://www.sap.com/products/technology-platform/crystal-reports.html#try-now

PDF Step-by-Step Guide: Leverage our sample reports to learn how to use SAP Crystal reports.
https://d.dam.sap.com/a/b4dQQdr/B2_SAP%20Crystal%20Reports%20Step%20by%20Step%20Learn%20from%20sample%20reports.pdf?inline=true&rc=10&doi=SAP1198289

PDF Step-by-Step Guide: Follow the steps to learn how to connect to a data source.
https://d.dam.sap.com/a/HYfVAd4/B3_SAP%20Crystal%20Step%20by%20Step%20guide%20How%20to%20connect%20to%20a%20data%20source.pdf?inline=true&rc=10&doi=SAP1198294
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PDF Step-by-Step Guide: Start reporting from Microsoft SQL Server data sources by following the steps in this guide to establish a connection.
https://d.dam.sap.com/a/bH9xRCh/B4_SAP%20Crystal%20Step%20by%20Step%20guide%20Connecting%20to%20MS%20SQL%20Server.pdf?inline=true&rc=10&doi=SAP1198302
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PDF Step-by-Step Guide: Report from Microsoft Access sources by following the steps in this guide to establish a connection.
https://d.dam.sap.com/a/EMaPTcu/B5_SAP%20Crystal%20Step%20by%20Step%20guide%20Connecting%20to%20MS%20Access.pdf?inline=true&rc=10&doi=SAP1198340
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PDF Step-by-Step Guide: Report from Microsoft Excel (.xls and .xlsx) sources by following the steps in this guide to establish a connection.
https://d.dam.sap.com/a/4uoyX3s/B6_SAP%20Crystal%20Step%20by%20Step%20guide%20Connecting%20to%20MS%20Excel.pdf?inline=true&rc=10&doi=SAP1198349
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Note: For MS SQL Server, MS Access, MS Excel when using SAP Crystal Reports 2020 (64 bit) or SAP Crystal Reports 2025 (64 bit), you will need a 64 bit connection so please download and install Microsoft Access Database Engine 2016 Redistribuable. This solution can be found on the Microsoft web site.
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PDF Step-by-Step Guide: Report from MySQL data sources by following the steps in this guide to establish a connection.
https://d.dam.sap.com/a/vei334z/B7_SAP%20Crystal%20Step%20by%20Step%20guide%20Connecting%20to%20MySQL.pdf?inline=true&rc=10&doi=SAP1199239

PDF Step-by-Step Guide: Create a report for invoicing (or modify to create statements, shipping documents, etc.).
https://d.dam.sap.com/a/Nr5qyGF/B8_SAP%20Crystal%20Step%20by%20Step%20guide%20how%20to%20create%20an%20invoice.pdf?inline=true&rc=10&doi=SAP1198353
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PDF Step-by-Step Guide: Create a report by matching the layout of a pre-printed form (tax forms, government submissions, bank certificates, payroll checks). https://d.dam.sap.com/a/WiVfyfA/B9_SAP%20Crystal%20Step%20by%20Step%20guide%20Replicating%20a%20pre-printed%20form.pdf?inline=true&rc=10&doi=SAP1198364
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PDF Step-by-Step Guide: Create a report for sales operations.
https://d.dam.sap.com/a/JRXsnmb/B10_SAP%20Crystal%20Step%20by%20Step%20create%20a%20sales%20report.pdf?inline=true&rc=10&doi=SAP1199301
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PDF Step-by-Step Guide: Create a report for human resources.
https://d.dam.sap.com/a/jE8NVCQ/B11_SAP%20Crystal%20Step%20by%20Step%20create%20an%20HR%20report.pdf?inline=true&rc=10&doi=SAP1199313
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PDF Step-by-Step Guide: Create a report as a dashboard.
https://d.dam.sap.com/a/oxXiT1i/B12_SAP%20Crystal%20Step%20by%20Step%20create%20an%20interactive.pdf?inline=true&rc=10&doi=SAP1200196
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PDF Step-by-Step Guide: Create a report for publishing data.
https://d.dam.sap.com/a/HW5ABWk/B13_SAP%20Crystal%20Step%20by%20Step%20guide%20create%20a%20crystal%20server%20publication.pdf?inline=true&rc=10&doi=SAP1200207

PDF Step-by-Step Guide: Use fundamental data handling features in any report (select, group, sort).
https://d.dam.sap.com/a/sb2LJjA/B14_SAP%20Crystal%20Step%20by%20Step%20guide%20Data%20Handling.pdf?inline=true&rc=10&doi=SAP1198366
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PDF Step-by-Step Guide: Use the formula workshop and the formula editor to create values not included in your data source.
https://d.dam.sap.com/a/eKaYh9p/SAP%20Crystal%20Step%20by%20Step%20guide%20Formulas.pdf?rc=10
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Get additional help with Formulas:
https://help.sap.com/docs/SAP_CRYSTAL_REPORTS/dfc124becfa845ffa91b1e717b20e3ec/477b49c46e041014910aba7db0e91070.html
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PDF Step-by-Step Guide: Use charts within your reports.
https://d.dam.sap.com/a/jEP5DzW/B16_SAP%20Crystal%20Step%20by%20Step%20guide%20Charts.pdf?inline=true&rc=10&doi=SAP1198368

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Look into third party charting capabilities: https://www.crchart.com/

PDF Step-by-Step Guide: Share reports with end-users without the need to design or modify the report.
https://d.dam.sap.com/a/YJrAmvK/B17_SAP%20Crystal%20Step%20by%20Step%20Sharing%20a%20Crystal%20Report.pdf?inline=true&rc=10&doi=SAP1198374

PDF Step-by-Step Guide: Upgrade from free versions (SAP Crystal Reports Viewer, SAP Crystal Reports for Visual Studio (.NET) or SAP Crystal Reports for Eclipse (JAVA)) to paid versions (SAP Crystal Reports or SAP Crystal Server). https://d.dam.sap.com/a/KQv7d4u/B18_SAP%20Crystal%20Step%20by%20Step%20guide%20upgrade%20from%20viewer.pdf?inline=true&rc=10&doi=SAP1200906

Watch tutorial videos for SAP Crystal Reports
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLNmCOqDvMhACCxIjBZy9cGFBIQxxwtLCx

PDF Step-by-Step Guide: Learn how to download, install and configure SAP Crystal Server for report distribution.
https://d.dam.sap.com/a/wDNZHKJ/C1_SAP%20Crystal%20Server%20Step%20by%20Step%20from%20evaluation%20to%20production%20installation.pdf?inline=true&rc=10&doi=SAP1200927
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SAP Crystal Server 2025 Installation Guide:
https://help.sap.com/docs/SAP_CRYSTAL_SERVER/3e720f48782a4022bc2920514da74db9/ec895b6f6fdb101497906a7cb0e91070.html

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SAP Crystal Server 2020 Installation Guide:
https://help.sap.com/docs/SAP_CRYSTAL_SERVER/3e720f48782a4022bc2920514da74db9/ec895b6f6fdb101497906a7cb0e91070.html?version=2020.4
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SAP Crystal Server 2016 Installation Guide:
https://help.sap.com/docs/SAP_CRYSTAL_SERVER/3e720f48782a4022bc2920514da74db9/ec895b6f6fdb101497906a7cb0e91070.html?version=2016.9
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Start a 60 days trial for SAP Crystal Server 2020
https://www.sap.com/products/technology-platform/crystal-server.html#try-now

PDF Step-by-Step Guide: View pixel-perfect, fully interactive, real-time reports within a web browser. https://d.dam.sap.com/a/oPZDs3K/C3_SAP%20Crystal%20Server%20Step%20by%20Step%20view%20interactive%20reports.pdf?inline=true&rc=10&doi=SAP1201283

PDF Step-by-Step Guide: Automate reports to run and distribute on a flexible schedule. https://d.dam.sap.com/a/8rbUBgS/C4_SAP%20Crystal%20Server%20Step%20by%20Step%20schedule%20reports.pdf?inline=true&rc=10&doi=SAP1201285

PDF Step-by-Step Guide: Set up invoices to populate with individualized data. https://d.dam.sap.com/a/iXCbbob/C5_SAP Crystal Step by Step mass invoicing.pdf?inline=true&rc=10&doi=SAP1201286

PDF Step-by-Step Guide: Distribute reports automatically customized for individual recipients. Using this capability requires the separate purchase of SAP Crystal Server 2020 (CS) or SAP Crystal Server 2025 (CS). https://d.dam.sap.com/a/e4Ktpi4/C6_SAP Crystal Server 5 CAL Step by Step view sophisticated distribution.pdf?inline=true&rc=10&doi=SAP1201287

Business Intelligence Launch Pad User Guide:
https://help.sap.com/docs/SAP_BUSINESSOBJECTS_BUSINESS_INTELLIGENCE_PLATFORM/baaf5c869e824d07ab0109e7b093348e/1fdececd79d54fc0a1cc3be829612f36.html
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Business Intelligence Platform User Guide:
#https://help.sap.com/docs/SAP_BUSINESSOBJECTS_BUSINESS_INTELLIGENCE_PLATFORM/2710d05c6f7f452baddb4ca72b72fdc2/43f2e85e36db4e17a7c34e0bf14af01b.html
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Business Intelligence Platform Central Management Console (CMC) User Guide:
https://help.sap.com/docs/SAP_BUSINESSOBJECTS_BUSINESS_INTELLIGENCE_PLATFORM/9029a149a3314dadb8418a2b4ada9bb8/46f328776e041014910aba7db0e91070.html
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Business Intelligence Platform Installation Guide for Windows:
https://help.sap.com/docs/SAP_BUSINESSOBJECTS_BUSINESS_INTELLIGENCE_PLATFORM/df8899896b364f6c880112f52e4d06c8/46ae62456e041014910aba7db0e91070.html
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Business Intelligence Platform Upgrade Guide:
https://help.sap.com/docs/SAP_BUSINESSOBJECTS_BUSINESS_INTELLIGENCE_PLATFORM/985b023e35754728a151792b367f4536/46efc8ac6e041014910aba7db0e91070.html
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Business Intelligence Patch Update Guide:
https://help.sap.com/docs/SAP_BUSINESSOBJECTS_BUSINESS_INTELLIGENCE_PLATFORM/673bf26e7af1455eb9d15173258ec242/ecdcf0466fdb101497906a7cb0e91070.html
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Business Intelligence Suite Error Messages Explained:
https://help.sap.com/doc/45fe12516e041014910aba7db0e91070/4.3.3/en-US/sbo43sp2_error_messages_en.pdf
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Business Intelligence Workspaces User Guide:
https://help.sap.com/docs/SAP_BUSINESSOBJECTS_BUSINESS_INTELLIGENCE_PLATFORM/5c070bfe96f44d05bbc4ff98ffb09035/4591524c6e041014910aba7db0e91070.html
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Also you can access the full SAP BusinessObjects Business Intelligence Platform documentation at: https://help.sap.com/docs/SAP_BUSINESSOBJECTS_BUSINESS_INTELLIGENCE_PLATFORM

Video: Solution overview: https://www.youtube.com/embed/W9-oDxRByDg
Video: Create a compelling data story: https://www.youtube.com/embed/6bL_dZwF7Sg
Video: Use color and contrast in your visualizations: https://www.youtube.com/embed/Z5xt7WLZZ_c
Video: Eliminate clutter in your visualizations: https://www.youtube.com/embed/T98wthL8ibU