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Formula Overview

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There are several different kinds of formulas in Crystal Reports: report, conditional formatting, selection, search formulas, and running total condition. The majority of formulas in a report are report formulas and conditional formatting formulas.

Report Formulas

Report formulas are formulas that you create to stand alone in a report. For example, a formula that calculates the days between the order date and the shipping date is a report formula.

Conditional Formatting Formulas

Formatting formulas change the layout and design of a report, as well as the appearance of text, database fields, objects, or entire report sections. You format text through the Format Editor. If you need to create a formatting formula, you access the Formula Editor from the Format Editor.

Selection Formulas

Selection formulas specify and limit the records and groups that appear in a report. You normally do not enter these formulas directly, but instead specify the selection using the Select Expert. Crystal Reports then generates the record selection and group selection formulas. You have the option to manually edit these formulas, but you must use Crystal syntax.

Search Formulas

Search formulas help you locate data in your report. Like selection formulas, you normally do not enter these formulas directly, but instead specify the search criteria using the Search Expert. Crystal Reports generates the formula. You have the option to manually edit these formulas, but you must use Crystal syntax.

If you already know Basic syntax, you need to know only a small amount of Crystal syntax to modify most selection and search formulas.

Running Total condition formulas

Running Total condition formulas let you define the condition upon which your running total will be evaluated or reset. See Creating Conditional Running Totals for more information.

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