User`s guide

Formatting
11.1 Formatting concepts
This section explains how to format a report. Formatting refers to changes you can make to the layout
and design of a report, as well as the appearance of text, objects, or entire report sections.
You can use formatting to do many things, including:
• Dividing sections of a report.
• Calling attention to certain data.
• Changing the presentation of dates, numbers, Boolean values, currency values, and text strings.
• Hiding unwanted sections.
• Giving the report a professional appearance.
The following topics describe the types of formatting you can do with Crystal Reports, giving step-by-step
instructions for performing a variety of formatting tasks.
Note:
There are many date formats you can choose to use on an English report, but if you send the report to
a Japanese system, there may be some formatting irregularities. Not all English date formats are
viewable on a Japanese system, and the same is true going from Japanese to English. For instance,
abbreviated English months do not appear on a Japanese system and Japanese eras in short format
do not appear on an English system.
11.2 Using a template
A template is an existing report file whose formatting can be added to a new report. At the same time,
the formatting of the template report's fields and report objects are applied to the new report. Use
templates to give any number of reports a consistent look without having to format each one individually.
For additional information about templates, see Template considerations.
2012-03-14207
Formatting