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[QODBC-Desktop] How to use QODBC with Crystal Reports
Posted by brad waddell on 12 March 2009 05:21 PM

What to expect when using the QODBC Driver with Crystal Reports

     Your QuickBooks Company File (.qbw) is a flat-file database. Having an ODBC driver will not change it to a relational database. For this reason, relating more than several tables will severely degrade performance as there are no native indexes.

     QODBC acts as a 'wrapper' around the Quicken qbXML SDK so customers can finally access their data using standard database tools like Crystal Reports without learning the SDK. For Crystal Reports, this is the only method of retrieving QuickBooks data.

Instructions When Designing Your Reports

1. Use filters in a particular date range whenever possible.

2. When grouping by a table field, use a formula to put the field within it. This allows Crystal to do the grouping in memory rather than the driver, which will be much faster.

3. Use only the fields you need when using sp_reports

4. Use QODBC Support Wizard to find out which fields you need.

5. Use sp_report (see: QODBC sp_report) to use the QuickBooks report engine that already "relates" the tables. You can relate a sp_report and a table to get various results.

6. Expecting QODBC to operate similarly to other relational-based ODBC drivers will cause frustration because Quicken exposes its data only via XML. You will have to think around the box, but your efforts will be rewarded.

7. Using an outer join for tables is not supported from within Crystal; however, creating an outer join with the correct syntax:
    FROM {oj 'table' 'table' LEFT OUTER JOIN 'table2' 'Table2' ON 'Table'.'TxnID'='Table2'.'TxnTxnID'}
within the Command option works ok.

8. Creating an outer join for a sp_report or to a table is not supported within a manual SQL statement. However, it is supported within Crystal Reports by visually linking the Command option and the table.

Note: Using QODBC within Crystal Reports is more art than science. We have produced various custom reports and forms for clients that are nothing short of amazing. If time and learning curve are essential factors, we may be able to tweak one for you.

 

Create a New Report via Wizard or Manual Methods

Locate the DSN

1. Open Database Expert Window, Expand the Create New Connection Folder:

2. Expand the ODBC (RDO) Folder:

3. The following screen will be brought up then select QuickBooks Data DSN and Click Next, finally click Finish on this screen:

  Input UserID and password if there're:

Select Tables Needed

1. A list of QuickBooks tables now appears ready for selection:

2. Select several tables for your report (for sp_reports or manual SQL statements, see below):

Link Tables

   Link your tables (For further linking information see Data Schema) :

Create Report as Normal

    The table fields are now available for selection in your report. Run reports as usual from this point.

 

Creating a Report with SQL or an existing QuickBooks Report

Add Command to Report

1. For sp_reports (see: QODBC sp_report) or manual SQL statements, Highlight Add Command and move the right panel in the Database Expert Window.

2. The following window will appear. Type or paste your SQL statement or sp_report command as shown, then click OK

3. Your SQL statement is now entered (to edit, right-click on Command). Click OK

Create Reports

    The fields specified in your SQL statement are available for selection in your report.

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