User`s guide

Creating and Updating OLAP Reports
17.1 OLAP reporting with Crystal Reports
Although relational databases such as SQL servers and PC databases are the most common sources
of data, Online Analytical Processing (OLAP) and Multi-Dimensional Data are rapidly becoming the
popular data-storage and analysis formats. Crystal Reports provides the same access and reporting
features for OLAP data sources that it provides for relational data.
Note:
The term OLAP is used in this topic to refer to all common forms of OLAP and Multi-Dimensional Data
storage and access systems.
Crystal Reports supports access to OLAP data through direct connection and Open OLAP gateways.
A direct connection requires an installed OLAP client and uses DLLs located on your local machine,
whereas the Open OLAP gateway doesn't require either. With an Open OLAP connection, data access
is achieved through a Name Server host that communicates with Crystal Reports and your OLAP data
source. Set up an Open OLAP connection on the Advanced Settings tab of the Connection Properties
dialog box.
For direct connections, Crystal Reports supports many OLAP server types. These types are displayed
in the Server Type list of the Connection Properties dialog box. This list is dynamic and will show those
server types for which you have an installed client.
Note:
Crystal Reports can open OLAP reports that were created in previous versions. However, while Crystal
Reports 9 can open version 10 OLAP reports with saved data, it cannot refresh them.
17.1.1 OLAP grid objects
When you design a report with OLAP data, Crystal Reports creates a primary report containing one or
more OLAP grid objects. OLAP grid objects look and act much like Cross-Tab objects, but they are
designed specifically for OLAP data.
2012-03-14361
Creating and Updating OLAP Reports