Blair Wheadon

December 10, 2009 2 minute read

Crystal Reports in Visual Studio 2010

Update – the runtime blog is Crystal Reports for Visual Studio 2010 Runtimes.

Update – Licensing blog Crystal Reports for Visual Studio 2010 Licensing.

Update – The beta is Crystal Reports for Visual Studio 2010 Beta Now Available.

Update – more details on the beta release is posted Crystal Reports for Visual Studio 2010 Beta Update.

We’re happy to share some changes in how Crystal Reports will support Microsoft Visual Studio 2010.

Ever since Visual Basic 2 released in 1993, Crystal Reports has been an integral part of the Microsoft developer experience. We are fully committed to Microsoft developers, and will continue to provide world class reporting solutions for Microsoft technologies.

We are working with Microsoft to ensure this transition is as smooth as possible for Visual Studio customers.

What is changing?

Crystal Reports will no longer be included in Visual Studio 2010
Instead, Crystal Reports for Visual Studio 2010 will be provided by SAP as a free download, no registration required.
Because its now delivered separately, the delivery dates don’t exactly line up. We are committed to have a beta version at the time that Visual Studio 2010 goes GA.
A production release will be no later than Q3 2010.
The EULA for Crystal Reports for Visual Studio 2010 will match the Crystal Reports 2008 EULA. The only material change when comparing the EULA with Visual Studio 2008 is that free external redistribution for web applications is no longer included. Its purchased separately with the Crystal Reports Developer Advantage runtime license.
The MSM runtime will be unavailable. MSI and ClickOnce will be the supported deployment methods for the runtime engine.

What is not changing?

Unlimited internal distribution of thick client and server applications that embed the Crystal Reports for Visual Studio 2010 runtime is included – same as Visual Studio 2008.
Unlimited external distribution of thick client applications that embed the Crystal Reports for Visual Studio 2010 runtime is included – same as Visual Studio 2008.
Both 32-bit and 64-bit runtimes are available. This is unchanged compared to Crystal Reports Basic for Visual Studio 2008, but the presence of a 64-bit runtime is a major net new feature for Crystal Reports 2008 customers.

What are the new features?

New WPF Viewer
New XLSX export to take advantage of the big grid for data-only Excel exports
Improved report viewing experience provides more interactivity to end users of your reports.
New read-only RPT file called RPTR that allows you to control who can see the internals of your report design. You create a RPTR file by exporting it from an RPT. After that, RPTR files can only be opened by the report viewers. oUR Report designer tools will refuse to open RPTR files – protecting your internal business logic in the report.
Improved embedded report designer – for example you can now create dynamic, cascading parameters.
Various .NET API improvements to improve the migration for COM-based RDC customers.
Lighter weight English-only runtime for reduced deployment size.
More flexible MSI deployment to replace MSM use cases.

To conclude, Visual Studio 2010 developers will:

Receive Crystal Reports in a different manner than before.
Continue to benefit from a free version of Crystal Reports that’s fully integrated with Visual Studio.
Get a significant upgrade in features compared to Visual Studio 2008.
See slight modifications to licensing that will mostly impact those who redistribute web applications externally.

In Q1 we’ll have more details about the features and timing of the beta release.

Blair

53 Comments

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Former Member

January 6, 2010 at 11:28 pm

The current 80MB+ Clickonce deployment size is a major bugbear - any idea on the size of the new English-only runtime ?

Mark Richardson

January 7, 2010 at 10:58 am

1.) What will the version of Crystal Reports in Visual Studio 2010 be equal to in the Standard "off-the-shelf" Crystal Reports desktop product - Crystal Reports 2008 (version XXX) or a new version (eg. Crystal Reports 2010)?

2.) What VERSIONS of the Business Objects Enterprise, Edge and Crystal Reports Server tools will be supported via the SDKs that are compatible with Visual Studio 2010?

NOTE - The issues with version compatibility between different versions of Visual Studio/.Net Framework and releases of the CR / BOE SDKs can cause a lot of issues with Platform and Application migrations.

EXAMPLE - The lack of support for XI [R2] SDKs in VS-2008, or XI [R3.1] SDKs in VS-2003.

Blair Wheadon

Blog Post Author

January 7, 2010 at 11:29 am

Hi Mark,

The engine used within the runtime will be based on a future version of Crystal Reports. Naming isn't finalized yet.

This future version of Crystal Reports will NOT include any Visual Studio components within it. Support for Visual Studio starting with VS 2010 will be a free download.

Reports authored with Crystal Reports 2008 will be fully supported by the CR for VS 2010 components.

This is a backwards compatibility scenario and we support backwards compatibility for the last 6 versions of the RPT file.

So you can use any of the last 6 versions of CR to create RPT files to run within the CR for VS 2010 components. Or you can use the embedded report designer that is part of CR for VS 2010.

For your 2nd question, I understand the importance but need to touch base with the BOE team to understand their plans for VS 2010 and the .Net framework.

Mark Richardson

February 23, 2010 at 3:41 am

Any feedback from the BOE team to confirm their SDK plans for VS 2010 and the .Net framework...?

Blair Wheadon

Blog Post Author

February 24, 2010 at 9:32 am

Hi Mark,

Here's the details on BOE support. Crystal Reports for VS 2010 will not support BOE connectivity in the initial beta release.

A subsequent release will add support for XI 4.0 only.

So if you're developing against XI 3.1, then we advise you to use VS 2008 and .NET 3.5.

Please shoot me an email with follow up questions and I can summarize the answers in the blog.

Thanks, Blair

Former Member

February 11, 2011 at 6:05 pm

And just to chime in on the BusinessObjects Enterprise SDK issue-- we develop a lot of BusinessObjects applications using the web service framework, as well as using the OpenDocument API to view reports. This is a great option for developers, as it makes application development a bit easier.

There are some good Web Service sample apps available from:
http://www.sdn.sap.com/irj/sdn/bi-samples

And there is a good guide to using OpenDocument available from here:
http://www.sdn.sap.com/irj/scn/index?rid=/library/uuid/f0daee1d-0e38-2d10-0c91-8bb4ab5aa266

hope this helps!

David

rasinc rasinc

May 19, 2010 at 5:36 am

Sorry to jump in on this thread but I would like to confirm the exact concept of "version" of Crystal. I downloaded the CR Viewer program for 2008 and it would not open my CR 8.5 reports. In my mind, 8.5 is within 6 versions of CR2010 but it is not supported by the viewer. So I am starting to wonder if you include the VS versions as different versions.

So can you give us the exact oldest version VS/CR 2010 will support without interim conversion? Is it CR 8.5, 9, X, XI, etc.

TIA

Mark Richardson

May 19, 2010 at 5:56 am

There was a BIG change in the ReportEngine between 8.5 and 10 - I think you would be best to upgrade those 8.5 reports to have them run in 2008/2010.

In some cases, you can use an "interim" version of CR to open and "save as" the RPTs.

EXAMPLE - Use CR-10 to open your CR-8.5 RPT files (it will give you an upgrade warning) then "SAVE AS" a CR-10 file. You should then be able to open/run the CR-10 file with any XI, 2008, 2010 tools.

rasinc rasinc

May 19, 2010 at 6:11 am

Thanks for the quick answer. When I saw the viewer issue, I assumed this would be the answer, but I have tested several reports in Crystal for VS2008 and they seem to work ok so far and I have standalone XIR2 and they run fine there also.

I am considering going to VS2010 and CR2010 when they come out but I have users that currently have quite a few reports in the older 8.5 and they don't have the interim version to upgrade their reports (I also did not create them all, I only created a program that can run them on their various databases). So this could be a problem if 8.5 will not work in 2010. I don't dispute the concept of upgrading at all, I am looking forward to some of the new features but not everyone has the interim products.

Blair Wheadon

Blog Post Author

May 19, 2010 at 6:55 am

To add some more colour to the answer, the standalone CR Viewer 2008 has less backwards compatibility than the VS.NET runtime engine and .NET viewers.

CR Viewer 2008 can only consume version 9 or later reports. Version 9 is when we switched the internal file format to use Unicode.

I'm in the process of confirming backwards compatiblity of CR 2011/CR for VS 2010. I believe it starts with V8.5 format reports.

Former Member

January 13, 2010 at 1:20 am

Yes, I like the sound of a reduced runtime size and a new WPF viewer. I hope this viewer can cater for showing a loading progress as currently there is no such working feature, making it appear that the viewer has hung whilst opening a data intense report:
Re: Crystal Viewer Wait Cursor Issue

Also i'm hoping these flexible MSI deployments won't incur the numerous error & hassle currently endured. All we want is something that works "out of the box".
2008 SP1 Merge Modules

Former Member

February 28, 2010 at 4:48 am

Crystal Reports is the only component I have where I have to install something other than the .NET framework to have my deployed applications work.

In other words, I can simply copy the content of m application Bin/Release folder to the application folder on the file server and ther user can runn it fine without having to install anything (assuming Microsoft .NET framework is installed on user's PC). Crystal Reports is the only tool that forces me to jump through hoops to have the application work properly. I either have to install the Crystal Reports sever run-time if the applicaiton runs on the server or I have play around with MDMs if the application runs ont he user's PC.

Will the new version of Crystal Reports be truly a .NET product where I can simply copy the contetns of the my Bin/Rlease folder and have it work?

I also ComponentOne Studio Enterprise and other development components and Crystal Reports is the only one that makes me jump through hoops. I currently have Crystal Reports XI Developer (still using Visual Studio 2005). We are looking to upgrade to Visual Studio 2010 and the new equivalent of Crystal Reports Deveoper XI.

Former Member

March 1, 2010 at 6:49 pm

Since the VS2010 release is around the corner, can we get an update on the status of the Beta?

Is there an Alpha to download and test?

Former Member

March 9, 2010 at 7:39 am

I'm pleased to see that Crystal Reports is still committed to the Microsoft .Net development environment - I've been using Crystal reports in an application I've developed for about 6-7 years and I would hate to switch over to another product.

I would like to give you some inputs on future direction:

- I agree with others that the size of the files required to deploy Crystal Reports is a significant issue that needs to be addressed

- I would like to ask that the Crystal Reports team specifically look at Code Access Security problems that are present in the current release of Crystal Reports that need to be addressed for Crystal Reports to work in a Windows7/Vista environment particularly with Office automation applications. There are a lot of new issues that have come up because of the tighter applicatoin security requirements in these areas. For example, I have a Visio Add-in that runs in combination with Visio - I cannot get Crystal Reports to run inside the Visio environment. I have raised this issue to SAP support and no one has found a solution.

Thanks,

Chuck

Former Member

March 9, 2010 at 7:42 am

It seems a bit misleading to me to advertise that this product is free...it is not free if you re-distribute software and that is a fairly large change. It was free through VS 2008, but now there is a cost for software companies that redistribute apps. Same as dope...first dose is free, then your are addicted and it costs money. You could at least asterisk your bolded statements that it is free.

Former Member

March 9, 2010 at 7:58 am

"free external redistribution for web applications is no longer included"

So for client based apps it would still be free as per 2008?

Would be nice if someone from SAP read and replied to the comments here.

Blair Wheadon

Blog Post Author

March 9, 2010 at 8:05 am

I was just about to reply to confirm that thick client applications continue to have free redistribution.

Server applications will require a one-time payment for unlimited redistribution rights for that version of the runtime. The license to acquire for this is called 'Crystal Reports Developer Advantage' and is $2,495 US retail.

This is the same license terms as Crystal Reports 2008.

Former Member

March 9, 2010 at 8:11 am

Cool - thanks for the response.

Whilst you're looking, any more news you can publish on when we can get hold of the beta?

Like other people here I'm really interested in a true 32/64 bit .NET reporting component that has a small distributon size (via ClickOnce) and doesn't need admin rights to install on my clients

Former Member

March 11, 2010 at 12:52 pm

Your original post says

"The EULA for Crystal Reports for Visual Studio 2010 will match the Crystal Reports 2008 EULA. The only material change when comparing the EULA with Visual Studio 2008 is that free external redistribution for web applications is no longer included".

I take that to mean if you are externally distributing web applications the license has changed, which is NOT the same as Crystal Reports 2008. So what used to be free is now $2495? Am I incorrect? I am confused by your statement that this is the same as Crystal 2008, it does not appear to be the same, $0 vs $2595.

Blair Wheadon

Blog Post Author

March 11, 2010 at 1:02 pm

Remember that Crystal Reports 2008 is different from Crystal Reports Basic for Visual Studio 2008 - they have 2 differe licenses.

To clarify, internal distribution of server apps (ie within your company) that include the runtime is free.

External redistribution of server applications that include the Crystal Reports 2008 runtime has never been free - you need to either provide a paid copy of Crystal Reports 2008 for each deployment of your server app, or acquire the Developer Advantage license.

It also wasn't free for older versions.

Sorry for the long link, but this is described here:

http://www.sap.com/solutions/sapbusinessobjects/sme/reporting-dashboarding/reporting/crystalreports/licensing/index.epx

Former Member

March 11, 2010 at 10:52 am

I just found this link that says the CR.NET for VS 2010 will be available upon the release of VS.NET 2010.

http://bit.ly/afTQrI

Brian

Blair Wheadon

Blog Post Author

March 11, 2010 at 11:37 am

Yep, this link is produced by our marketing group which I work closely with. We're all fully aligned that the beta of CR for VS 2010 is on track for a release that will closely coincide with the release of VS .NET 2010.

I will be creating a new blog entry shortly with the details on the dates, and what is in the beta.

Thanks.

Former Member

March 11, 2010 at 12:56 pm

Thanks Blair! Can you post the link to the new blog entry here when you write it? That will make it easier for me to find when I'm going through my bookmarks.

Former Member

March 26, 2010 at 2:38 pm

Hello:

I work for an ISV. We sell web software -- the customer installs it on their web server to run on their intranet. If I wanted to use the Crystal Reports component engine, does the Developer Advantage license cover me?

We also have Crystal Reports licenses, are we covered under those?

Blair Wheadon

Blog Post Author

March 26, 2010 at 2:40 pm

Yes. In this scenario, you would require the Developer Advantage license to redistribute the Crystal Reports 2008 runtime engine for a server application.

Redistribution of the runtime in server applications is not included with your Crystal Reports licenses.

Former Member

March 30, 2010 at 3:58 am

I have 2 questions.

first do you support client profile 4 in 2010 product for visual studio?(it is very important to use crystal windows report viewer in windows client application)

http://social.msdn.microsoft.com/Forums/en-US/vscrystalreports/thread/e19c9789-4ef9-4589-bac4-63460c163c42

2.Are there a version that we can download and test?

Blair Wheadon

Blog Post Author

March 30, 2010 at 8:58 am

Crystal Reports for VS 2010 has dependencies on the full .NET framework and is not supported with the client profile.

The beta version is planned to be released April 16th.

Former Member

March 30, 2010 at 8:52 pm

Thanks for your fast answer

But we think it is awful that crystal report viewer will not support client profile 4. But why not?
we think it is a prerequisite for a client control to support it show report does not need to full .net
maybe we are wrong.

thanks any way.

Former Member

March 30, 2010 at 11:14 pm

I agree – having to distribute the full .NET framework is going to be a pain (we use ClickOnce so I want my install to be as small and compact as possible).

Former Member

April 7, 2010 at 5:55 am

Will there be an updated version of VSIM to use with VS2010?

Will the free download still be the "basic" Crystal Reports for Visual Studio as opposed to the "full" Crystal Reports?

Thanks

Blair Wheadon

Blog Post Author

April 7, 2010 at 8:45 am

There's won't be an updated VSIM because we won't need it. This will be the only Crystal Reports solution for VS 2010. VSIM is used to switch between the free version that was included in VS 2008 and earlier, and the version of the tooling that comes with paid Crystal Reports.

We're moving to a simpler model where there's only one version of the Visual Studio tooling which includes functionality what used to be included with paid Crystal Reports.

We're doing this to make it easier and simpler for developers adopt Crystal Reports in their applications.

Thanks, Blair

Scott Lawrence

April 13, 2010 at 6:07 pm

I have been a VB developer using Crystal Reports in my applications since VB 3.0 and have many many applications that contain crystal reports but cannot upgrade my apps and make use of VS2010 because Crystal reports is not available. I am very disappointed that this could not have been timed better. From what I read a production release is not expected until Q3 of 2010??? I guess this gives me an opportunity to evaluate moving my reports away from Crystal Reports.

Blair Wheadon

Blog Post Author

April 13, 2010 at 7:33 pm

Totally agree with you Scott that the timing is a lowlight. We considered many options to reduce the time lag, but they all forced undesirable feature/function tradeoffs in core areas of the product. So we chose the option that we believe delivers the best long term value for VS developers. The production release is currently planned for late June 2010. The beta remains on track for release later this week, so there will be about a 2 1/2 month gap for early adopters like yourself.

Former Member

April 15, 2010 at 10:12 am

Do we have to purchase a license to redistribute for Crystal Reports VS 2010, when used with a Windows Form application?

Thanks

Blair Wheadon

Blog Post Author

April 15, 2010 at 1:32 pm

No. But additional licensing is required to externally redistribute server applications. Externally means to distribute an app to users outside your organization.

Former Member

April 15, 2010 at 1:42 pm

Will there ever be 64-bit runtimes for CR2008?

When will 64-bit runtimes become available to use with VS2010?

Thank you.

Blair Wheadon

Blog Post Author

April 15, 2010 at 1:43 pm

Yes, these are in plan for the production release (but not the beta).

Former Member

April 15, 2010 at 1:57 pm

I want to be clear on licensing.

Am I correct that there will be no licensing fee to distribute a Windows Forms application or Windows Class Library (DLL) that use the Crystal Reports runtimes.

Thank you.

Blair Wheadon

Blog Post Author

April 15, 2010 at 2:00 pm

I should probably start separate blog on licensing as there's a lot of repeat questions on this.

Yes, you are correct. WinForm apps and 'client' apps can be freely redistributed internally and externally.

Former Member

March 2, 2011 at 9:29 pm

We use VS2008 to develop SERVER APPLICATIONS for end users. Am I correct that there will be no licensing fee to distribute SERVER APPLICATIONS EXTERNALLY that use the Crystal Reports Basic Runtime Engine? If I have SERVER APPLICATIONS integrated with CR2008 Runtime Engine (that not come with VS2008), I need Crystal Reports Runtime Server License to distribute SERVER APPLICATIONS EXTERNALLY.

Former Member

April 16, 2010 at 11:35 pm

Hi, i downloaded and install the beta version and at last its nice to see crystal report working with Visual Studio 2010. i want that one can be added in viewer. For example we send values to crystal report from the program like vb.net but it is impossible to send current value to program from crystal report. is it possible to add this feature or not to send values back to program from crystal report viewer.
Is is possible to add copy cut, and paste menu in viewer as it was present in crystal report viewer 10.5 but not available in later versions. So please try to add this one also in crystal report for 2010.

May be all these features are added so please guide me,

Thask and Regards
Asim Shahzad

Former Member

April 16, 2010 at 11:38 pm

May be all these features are added so please guide me,

Thask and Regards
Asim Shahzad

umut kilic

April 17, 2010 at 12:43 am

Hi,
Could you pls inform me about cr2008 dev and cr for vs2010 side by side operations.
I have vs2008 and vs2010 installed side by side.
I will not install cr for 2010 beta till I find out both will work in above scenario.

Thanks.

Blair Wheadon

Blog Post Author

April 19, 2010 at 12:13 pm

This scenario is generally supported with a few minor issues that are described in the release notes here: http://downloads.businessobjects.com/akdlm/CR_Beta_Release_Notes_en.pdf

umut kilic

April 17, 2010 at 12:51 am

in your reply to Sandeep Mohan, you said that runtime licence required for server applications!

Is it required for winform applications?
(not web nor wan ) working in local lans?

thank you

Blair Wheadon

Blog Post Author

April 19, 2010 at 8:09 am

I've created a new licensing blog. The link is at the top of this post. Please read that and the whitepaper. If your question isn't answered please post a question to that blog.

Thanks, Blair

Blair Wheadon

Blog Post Author

July 29, 2010 at 10:50 am

See this blog for more info:

Crystal Reports for Visual Studio 2010 Beta 2 and Runtimes Now Available

Former Member

August 12, 2010 at 2:48 am

We converted a 2005 project to a 2010 project and then I downloaded C.R. beta 1. Upon loading the project the next time, it detected the older version of C.R. objects and supposedly converted, but on of the VB IMPORTS were fixed.
Where I have the old "Imports CrystalDecisions.CrystalReports.Engine", I can get as far as "Imports CrystalDecisions.Enterprise.", but nothing in the pop-up looks to match.

Former Member

January 20, 2011 at 9:01 am

Hi, I have a VS 2008 project that I am migrating to VS 2010. After saving the rpt file a warning said it was changing the file format. The effect of this save is also that the wrapper class disappear from visual studio and I can't instantiate the reports anymore. Do I have a problem in my system or there is another why to use embedded reports?

Regards,

Davide

Blair Wheadon

Blog Post Author

January 20, 2011 at 11:25 am

Hi Davide,

The process for support questions is to search the CR .NET support forum here (SAP Crystal Reports, version for Visual Studio), then start a new thread if you can't find your answer.

Thanks, Blair

Former Member

February 21, 2011 at 6:10 am

Hi,
I have a problem with this issue:
CRVS 2010 BETA - WPF Viewer - How to hide SidePanel?
Are you planning to release a version soon, where this bug will be fixed?

Former Member

June 19, 2012 at 4:30 pm

Hi, I installed Crystal Reports for VS 2010 and CrystalReportViewer Control disabled in the toolbox. Any idea what am I missing in installation? Thanks.

Blair Wheadon

Blog Post Author

June 19, 2012 at 7:33 pm

Hi Svetlana,

Please search for this issue in the CR for VS 2010 support forum here, then post your question if you can't find a response.

Thanks, Blair

Crystal Reports in Visual Studio 2010

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