Hi, I am relatively new to crystal dashboards.
So far I’ve built dashboards for use internally within the business, data is refreshed from universe queries.
I have a new requirement that I am not sure of the best way to tackle.
At the end of each month I need to get a dashboard updated with the latest month-end data, then this dashboard is intended to be sent out of the business for use by a client.
As such we’d like the dashboard to be sent out with the relevant data already embedded and no data connection for the dashboard to go and fetch data.
From my limited reading I can only see one way to achieve this.
Design the dashboard with static data and at each month end copy and paste the data into the embedded excel within the dashboard.
I am unaware of a different way of doing this. Is there a better way (that does not involve manual involvement each month) ?
I looked into setting up a separate xml file containing the data but the data connection looks to be referencing a full path. Is there a way to have it reference an xml file containing the data instead? (presumably that would mean sending both the dashboard definition and xml files out each … but automating the creation of new xml files is trivial).
I’d be most grateful for anyone pointing me in the right direction
Thanks
Huw
That’s not how this works. That’s not how any of this works.
The dashboard is supposed to connect to data. That’s what its function is supposed to be.
That said, this is possible. But it pretty much has to be done in the way you describe. Store all of the data in the Excel data model, package it up, and send it out.
(Of course, I now have to amend my earlier statement, since this is exactly the model Xcelsius was first developed under.)
Unfortunately, it is going to be a very manual process. I can’t think of a way to automate it off-hand.
I wouldn’t recommend sending XML data files along with a swf and definitely not the XLF. Unless of’course you are really PO’d at your help desk and don’t mind them getting a couple hundred calls when the users screw this up.
Most of our dashboards don’t have real-time data requirements. Generally weekly or monthly snapshots provide just the right trending. For those, self contained exportable SWFs are best. You control XLF, data refresh, generation, pre-validation, and SWF distribution.
If real-time connected data is a necessity… Keep the SWF at home plate for best connectivity when data sensitivity/security are top concerns. There are so many factors that can influence dashboard deployment that it is really hard to make recommendations without knowing them all. First time setup of secure remote access to xml data files can be painful depending on your company’s IT infrastructure and bureaucracy.
Exactly, and this is great for rapid prototyping and also, if customer still uses MS Excel sheets to collect and store data, so there sometimes is no database in place. Happens often with customers expanding and starting with small offices in foreign countries. And this is also great for developing while being offline.
I was hoping to set up some form of automation to refresh the data but I guess that’s not going to be possible. I shall instead have to leave behind some good instructions with lots of screenshots
(BOB member since 2007-04-19)
(BOB member since 2002-06-20)