Re: Crystal Reports Cascading parameters don't get preserved between postbacks

From: Brian Bischof (Brian_at_NoSpamBischofSystems.com)
Date: 02/24/05 

Date: Thu, 24 Feb 2005 15:46:08 -0800

After playing around with this it seems to work really well. In fact, I'm
even able to get the Excel export to open in Excel with a full toolbar. I
feel so much better now. Here is the resolution email. Play around with the
different checkboxes to get different results. This email is from the guy
that wrote the XI toolbar export functionality!

HTH,

Brian Bischof
www.CrystalReportsBook.com

-------------------
It sounds like the exporting is done through the viewer toolbar in a webform
viewer. The behavior is generic for IE and depends on whether user has
disabled the confirmation dialog, and whether the file is sent as
attachment. We send exported files inline, not as attachment, when
exporting through the viewer. You can change this behavior by adjusting the
user setting as below.

1. Open an Explorer window.
2. Select Tools | Folder Options (assuming Windows XP).
3. Select File Types tab.
4. Find the appropriate file type, click Advanced button.
5. Ensure "Confirm open after download" is checked.

There is a new method on ReportDocument.ExportToHttpResponse for developers
to control whether the exported file is sent as attachment.

I suspect the toolbar problem is because we turned off the IE menu in that
export window. There is no way to turn the menu on at this time.

-------------------

"Brian Bischof" <Brian@NoSpamBischofSystems.com> wrote in message
news:eDKeGKsGFHA.2620@tk2msftngp13.phx.gbl...
> I'm glad we are providing entertainment for everyone. ;-)
>
> It's not a code problem. The problem is the ASP.NET viewer toolbar in XI.
> The ironic thing is that I sent two emails to tech support and they were
> thinking I was talking about the code too. Anyway, I heard back from a
> support guy and he says that this behavior is controlled through the File
> Types dialog box in Windows Explorer. I'm going to look into it and post
his
> full response once I check it out.
>
> Oh yeah - re the Save/Open dialog box behavior, yes I get it for all file
> types including Excel and Word. Anyway, I should be posting the resolution
> shortly, and then we can all get back to our normal jobs! :-)
>
>
> Brian
> www.CrystalReportsBook.com
>
>
>
>
>
> "Rob Diamant" <rob@usi.com> wrote in message
> news:Owurl%23rGFHA.3088@tk2msftngp13.phx.gbl...
> > Guys,
> >
> > I have been following this thread for a while (it's entertaining, I
can't
> > wait for the finish) and was wondering what code is behind LP's Export
> > Button that may be different then Brian's. Maybe you guys should
compare.
> >
> > Rob
> >
> > "Brian Bischof" <Brian@NoSpamBischofSystems.com> wrote in message
> > news:%23HXLxMrGFHA.3504@TK2MSFTNGP10.phx.gbl...
> > > Man, we are really going around in circles about this one. I still say
> > > it's
> > > a browser issue and not a Crystal problem. For example, if I go into
my
> > > browser and tell it to display large fonts, I can't then send emails
to
> > > every website I visit complaining that their web designers should use
> > > smaller fonts. On my browser I get the Open/Save dialog box that you
> don't
> > > get and I also see an option to turn it off. Thus, it works fine on my
> > > browser and it appears to be a browser controlled setting. So how
could
> it
> > > be a Crystal problem?
> > >
> > > That being said, I have no clue about how the Header record effects
what
> > > the
> > > browser does. Maybe Crystal is using a Header record that makes the
> > > Open/Save dialog box optional? Maybe their header record is only
> > > compatible
> > > with certain browser versions and doesn't work with others? I don't
> know.
> > > This whole thing is getting very frustrating and I'm determined to
> figure
> > > out what the heck is going on. Having it work one way in one browser
and
> > > another way in another browser and having no idea why is driving me
> crazy.
> > > Somewhere there has to be a reasonable explanation for this problem
you
> > > are
> > > having.
> > >
> > > Brian
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > "LP" <lp@a.com> wrote in message
> > > news:O$f8zSqGFHA.3312@TK2MSFTNGP10.phx.gbl...
> > >> > For example, I can go into Adobe Properties
> > >> > and turn this on and off using one of their options. When that
dialog
> > > box
> > >> > opens, there is a checkbox at the bottom about whether you should
be
> > >> > prompted with this box again or just open the file directly.
> > >>
> > >> You are tweaking Adobe settings not the browser.
> > >>
> > >> >Thus, this is a
> > >> > browser setting.
> > >> No, it's Adobe setting.
> > >>
> > >> I can't find similar setting in browser or Excel Word either. And
again
> > > lets
> > >> assume it's a browser setting, but that would default behavior of a
> > > browser.
> > >> So by default CR export functionality is unusable. I don't understand
> how
> > > CR
> > >> vendor (BusinessObjects as of today) could not see that someone would
> > >> actually want to save exported file, not just look at it in a popup
> > > window.
> > >> When I get a chance, I'll look into how to filter HTML rendered by CR
> and
> > >> modify it to enable save as functionality.
> > >>
> > >>
> > >> "Brian Bischof" <Brian@NoSpamBischofSystems.com> wrote in message
> > >> news:%23mI5GUpGFHA.3312@TK2MSFTNGP10.phx.gbl...
> > >> > Ok, that's what I thought. I think that is a browser issue b/c I
was
> > > able
> > >> to
> > >> > toggle this feature on and off. For example, I can go into Adobe
> > >> Properties
> > >> > and turn this on and off using one of their options. When that
dialog
> > > box
> > >> > opens, there is a checkbox at the bottom about whether you should
be
> > >> > prompted with this box again or just open the file directly. Thus,
> this
> > > is
> > >> a
> > >> > browser setting. The header doesn't control it b/c on my computer I
> was
> > >> able
> > >> > to get the dialog box to come up or send it directly to a browser
> > >> > window
> > >> > using and Adobe Properties setting. I would search Google to see
how
> to
> > >> turn
> > >> > this on or off.
> > >> >
> > >> > Brian
> > >> >
> > >> >
> > >> >
> > >> > "LP" <lp@a.com> wrote in message
> > >> > news:erPQ26oGFHA.1176@TK2MSFTNGP12.phx.gbl...
> > >> > > > Are you saying that you don't get the Open/Save dialog box or
you
> > >> > > > do
> > >> get
> > >> > > it?
> > >> > >
> > >> > > I do NOT get it. When I click export icon it opens a popup window
> > >> > > with
> > >> > > Excel, or Word embedded in the window, but no toolbars no nothing
> and
> > >> > > certainly NO "Save as" dialog box. If you could come up with a
way
> to
> > >> > > provide users with ability to "save as" what's embedded inside a
> > > popup,
> > >> I
> > >> > > would greatly appreciate it.
> > >> > >
> > >> > > Thanks
> > >> > >
> > >> > > "Brian Bischof" <Brian@NoSpamBischofSystems.com> wrote in message
> > >> > > news:%23vaVMUjGFHA.1096@tk2msftngp13.phx.gbl...
> > >> > > > Are you saying that you don't get the Open/Save dialog box or
you
> > >> > > > do
> > >> get
> > >> > > it?
> > >> > > > It seems that you don't get it at all. I get it on my computer
> and
> > >> > > > I
> > >> > think
> > >> > > > this is a browser issue. As I said earlier, I was able to turn
> > >> > > > enable/disable it using a PDF option. The second issue of the
> > > toolbar
> > >> > not
> > >> > > > having the Save buttons could be a header issue. I'm not
> > > knowledgeable
> > >> > > about
> > >> > > > HTML headers but it does make sense that the header tags can
> > >> > > > control
> > >> > this.
> > >> > > I
> > >> > > > will have to research that tomorrow.
> > >> > > >
> > >> > > > Brian Bischof
> > >> > > > www.CrystalReportsBook.com
> > >> > > >
> > >> > > >
> > >> > > >
> > >> > > > "LP" <lp@a.com> wrote in message
> > >> > > > news:%23GkSYeiGFHA.2620@tk2msftngp13.phx.gbl...
> > >> > > > > Brian, Thanks for looking into this for me.
> > >> > > > > I think you understand my problem. But just to be clear:
> > >> > > > > When I click export button of a webviewer, it does open a
popup
> > >> window
> > >> > > and
> > >> > > > > loads excel, word, etc. into the window. But there's no
obvious
> > > way
> > >> to
> > >> > > > save
> > >> > > > > it to a local drive as a file (other than copy and paste)
And,
> > > yes,
> > >> > you
> > >> > > > are
> > >> > > > > right PDF is the only format with a toolbar that has "save
as"
> > > icon.
> > >> > But
> > >> > > I
> > >> > > > > think it's part of PDF object embedded within a browser. I
also
> > >> looked
> > >> > > in
> > >> > > > > browser settings to make it open "save as" dialog box, but
> could
> > > not
> > >> > > find
> > >> > > > > anything.
> > >> > > > > But I begin to doubt that it is a browser issue like you
> > > suggesting.
> > >> I
> > >> > > > think
> > >> > > > > this behavior is controlled by HTTP header tags. I know that
> > > there's
> > >> a
> > >> > > > > header tag content-type (or something like that) where you
can
> > >> specify
> > >> > > > > ms-excel, ms-word, etc. And there's also "attachment;
> filename="
> > > tag
> > >> > > where
> > >> > > > > you can give file name and browser then will prompt you to
save
> > >> > > > > or
> > >> > open
> > >> > > > that
> > >> > > > > file. So, I do think it's the way CR not providing the right
> HTTP
> > >> > header
> > >> > > > > tags for the popup is a root of the problem. So, I am
thinking
> of
> > >> > > > > intercepting CR rendered HTML and modifying it, but I haven't
> had
> > >> any
> > >> > > time
> > >> > > > > to do anything serious like that, after all I am just
building
> a
> > >> demo
> > >> > > app.
> > >> > > > > Let me know if you find anything else, or if I am on the
right
> > >> track.
> > >> > > > >
> > >> > > > > Thank you again for your input.
> > >> > > > >
> > >> > > > >
> > >> > > > > "Brian Bischof" <Brian@NoSpamBischofSystems.com> wrote in
> message
> > >> > > > > news:%23rZC84fGFHA.2524@TK2MSFTNGP15.phx.gbl...
> > >> > > > > > Hmmm. I'm looking over all your posts. The first post you
had
> > > last
> > >> > > week
> > >> > > > > said
> > >> > > > > > that you couldn't get the Save As dialog box to open.
> Instead,
> > > it
> > >> > > always
> > >> > > > > > spawned a new window. Now it seems that when you are in the
> new
> > >> > window
> > >> > > > it
> > >> > > > > > won't allow saving the data. I assume this is a direct
result
> > >> > > > > > of
> > >> not
> > >> > > > being
> > >> > > > > > able to solve the first problem. So here are my comments.
> > >> > > > > >
> > >> > > > > > First is that if the export button doesn't open the
Save/Open
> > >> dialog
> > >> > > > box,
> > >> > > > > > then I think it's a browser issue. For example, at the
bottom
> > >> > > > > > of
> > >> the
> > >> > > > > dialog
> > >> > > > > > box is a checkbox telling whether it should prompt you with
> > >> > > > > > this
> > >> or
> > >> > > not.
> > >> > > > I
> > >> > > > > > played around with it for Excel and Word but this had no
> > >> > > > > > effect.
> > > I
> > >> > did
> > >> > > > > find
> > >> > > > > > out that I can change this with Adobe inside the Adobe
> Internet
> > >> > > > > preferences.
> > >> > > > > > After fixing that I got the Open/Save box for PDFs again. I
> > > looked
> > >> > in
> > >> > > > > > preferences for Excel/Word and couldn't find such an
option.
> > > Thus,
> > >> > the
> > >> > > > PDF
> > >> > > > > > option makes me think that the browser is controlling this
> and
> > > not
> > >> > CR
> > >> > > > XI.
> > >> > > > > > Overall, I have the Open/Save dialog popping up for all
file
> > > types
> > >> > in
> > >> > > my
> > >> > > > > > brower and you should be able to get them too.
> > >> > > > > >
> > >> > > > > > Re the Excel and Word browsers not letting you save data,
> this
> > > is
> > >> > > > > happening
> > >> > > > > > with my computer as well. However, again I have to question
> if
> > >> this
> > >> > is
> > >> > > a
> > >> > > > > > browser issue or a CR XI issue since XI is just sending the
> XLS
> > >> file
> > >> > > to
> > >> > > > > the
> > >> > > > > > browser. I'll continue to play with it b/c I don't know the
> > > answer
> > >> > to
> > >> > > > this
> > >> > > > > > one yet. But I think your best bet is to look at the first
> > >> > > > > > issue
> > >> and
> > >> > > get
> > >> > > > > the
> > >> > > > > > Open/Save dialog box to pop up by tweaking the IE settings.
> > >> > > > > >
> > >> > > > > > HTH,
> > >> > > > > >
> > >> > > > > > Brian Bischof
> > >> > > > > > www.CrystalReportsBook.com
> > >> > > > > >
> > >> > > > > >
> > >> > > > > >
> > >> > > > > > "Brian Bischof" <Brian@NoSpamBischofSystems.com> wrote in
> > > message
> > >> > > > > > news:%236jPVYfGFHA.3472@TK2MSFTNGP09.phx.gbl...
> > >> > > > > > > Those are good points. Let me look into the export
problem
> of
> > >> not
> > >> > > > saving
> > >> > > > > > to
> > >> > > > > > > disk and see if I can get you an answer.
> > >> > > > > > >
> > >> > > > > > > Brian
> > >> > > > > > >
> > >> > > > > > >
> > >> > > > > > > "LP" <lp@a.com> wrote in message
> > >> > > > > > > news:%23VXeKbeGFHA.4088@TK2MSFTNGP09.phx.gbl...
> > >> > > > > > > > >The best practice is to use the
> > >> > > > > > > > > ReportDocument object model (unless working with
> > >> WebServices).
> > >> > > Try
> > >> > > > > > that
> > >> > > > > > > > and
> > >> > > > > > > > > post the results here.
> > >> > > > > > > >
> > >> > > > > > > > ReportDocument did work for me for postback problems.
But
> I
> > >> also
> > >> > > > have
> > >> > > > > a
> > >> > > > > > > > button that exports report to excel and then sends this
> > >> > > > > > > > file
> > >> to
> > >> > a
> > >> > > > > client
> > >> > > > > > > > through HTTP. I could not get that to work with one
> > >> > parameterized
> > >> > > > > > report.
> > >> > > > > > > > Parameters don't seem to get cached with
reportdocument.
> I
> > >> tried
> > >> > > my
> > >> > > > > > > > different things, like caching actuall ParamFields
> object,
> > >> etc.
> > >> > > but
> > >> > > > > > > nothing
> > >> > > > > > > > seems to work.
> > >> > > > > > > > I need this button because export in Crystal webviewer
> > >> > > > > > > > opens
> > > a
> > >> > > popup
> > >> > > > > > > window
> > >> > > > > > > > with no toolbars, so users can't save it to a file. If
I
> > > could
> > >> > > find
> > >> > > > > > > > workaround that, there would not be a need for this
> custom
> > >> > export
> > >> > > > > > button.
> > >> > > > > > > My
> > >> > > > > > > > biggest problem with Crystal right now is very simple
but
> > > yet
> > >> > > > > important
> > >> > > > > > > > things take so much time effort to do that it becomes
> > >> > questionanle
> > >> > > > if
> > >> > > > > > it's
> > >> > > > > > > > all worth it. And default behavior of Crystal is just
> > > bizarre
> > >> > like
> > >> > > > > > opening
> > >> > > > > > > a
> > >> > > > > > > > popup with no toolbars when exporting to another
format,
> so
> > >> file
> > >> > > > can't
> > >> > > > > > be
> > >> > > > > > > > "save as"
> > >> > > > > > > >
> > >> > > > > > > >
> > >> > > > > > > >
> > >> > > > > > > > "Brian Bischof" <Brian@NoSpamBischofSystems.com> wrote
in
> > >> > message
> > >> > > > > > > > news:%230b8BKdGFHA.2976@TK2MSFTNGP09.phx.gbl...
> > >> > > > > > > > > I agree about the confusing API. Have you seen my
> > >> > > > > > > > > existing
> > >> > book,
> > >> > > > > > > "Crystal
> > >> > > > > > > > > Reports .NET Programming"? It teaches you how to use
> the
> > >> .NET
> > >> > > > object
> > >> > > > > > > model
> > >> > > > > > > > > and has many tips and tricks for getting it to work.
> > > Anyway,
> > >> > it
> > >> > > > only
> > >> > > > > > > > touches
> > >> > > > > > > > > on the RAS and RDC programming a bit (I don't know if
> > > using
> > >> > that
> > >> > > > or
> > >> > > > > > > not).
> > >> > > > > > > > > I'm going to do another book which is hardcore RAS
> > >> programming
> > >> > > > > because
> > >> > > > > > > RAS
> > >> > > > > > > > > is extremely complicated to learn and program with..
> But
> > >> that
> > >> > > > won't
> > >> > > > > be
> > >> > > > > > > > till
> > >> > > > > > > > > after I finish the CR XI book I'm working on now.
> > >> > > > > > > > >
> > >> > > > > > > > > Anyway, to answer your question, the mistake most
> people
> > >> make
> > >> > is
> > >> > > > > that
> > >> > > > > > > they
> > >> > > > > > > > > mix up the viewer object model with the report object
> > > model.
> > >> > > They
> > >> > > > > set
> > >> > > > > > > some
> > >> > > > > > > > > properties using one object and set other properties
> > >> > > > > > > > > using
> > >> the
> > >> > > > other
> > >> > > > > > > > object
> > >> > > > > > > > > model. Then they get consfused when some of the
> > >> > > > > > > > > properties
> > >> get
> > >> > > > > > dropped.
> > >> > > > > > > > You
> > >> > > > > > > > > can only use ONE object model at a time. The best
> > >> > > > > > > > > practice
> > >> is
> > >> > to
> > >> > > > use
> > >> > > > > > the
> > >> > > > > > > > > ReportDocument object model (unless working with
> > >> WebServices).
> > >> > > Try
> > >> > > > > > that
> > >> > > > > > > > and
> > >> > > > > > > > > post the results here.
> > >> > > > > > > > >
> > >> > > > > > > > > Brian Bischof
> > >> > > > > > > > > www.CrystalReportsBook.com
> > >> > > > > > > > >
> > >> > > > > > > > >
> > >> > > > > > > > >
> > >> > > > > > > > > "LP" <lp@a.com> wrote in message
> > >> > > > > > > > > news:eS$1FzVGFHA.3612@TK2MSFTNGP09.phx.gbl...
> > >> > > > > > > > > > Ok, I did change it to ReportDocument , and that
> worked
> > >> for
> > >> > me
> > >> > > > > even
> > >> > > > > > > > > without
> > >> > > > > > > > > > saving it to Session Variable. But now I am having
> > > another
> > >> > > > problem
> > >> > > > > > > with
> > >> > > > > > > > > > exporting. I have another button that export report
> to
> > >> excel
> > >> > > and
> > >> > > > > > sends
> > >> > > > > > > a
> > >> > > > > > > > > > file to a client, so now one parameterized report
> > > doesn't
> > >> > > work.
> > >> > > > I
> > >> > > > > > > tried
> > >> > > > > > > > > > saving reportDoc and it ParameterFields to session
> and
> > >> > > > retrieving,
> > >> > > > > > but
> > >> > > > > > > > > > nothing works.
> > >> > > > > > > > > > I think CR is a very good product, very sharp
looking
> > >> > reports
> > >> > > > > (when
> > >> > > > > > > you
> > >> > > > > > > > > get
> > >> > > > > > > > > > them to work), very slick designer especially
version
> > > XI.
> > >> > But
> > >> > > > > their
> > >> > > > > > > API
> > >> > > > > > > > > and
> > >> > > > > > > > > > object hierarchy is terribly confusing and
> inconsistent
> > >> with
> > >> > > > what
> > >> > > > > > one
> > >> > > > > > > > > would
> > >> > > > > > > > > > expect from .NET friendly product, I haven't seen
any
> > > good
> > >> > > > > > > documentation
> > >> > > > > > > > > on
> > >> > > > > > > > > > their APIs.
> > >> > > > > > > > > >
> > >> > > > > > > > > >
> > >> > > > > > > > > > "LP" <lp@a.com> wrote in message
> > >> > > > > > > > > > news:ezCf58UGFHA.1456@TK2MSFTNGP09.phx.gbl...
> > >> > > > > > > > > > > Brian, I am not using ReportDocument object, I am
> > >> setting
> > >> > > > > viewers
> > >> > > > > > > > > > > ReportSource to a report file directly:
> > >> > > > > > > > > > >
> > >> > > > > > > > > > > crViewer.ReportSource = Server.MapPath("Reports/"
&
> > >> > > > reportName)
> > >> > > > > > > > > > >
> > >> > > > > > > > > > > What should I do in this case?
> > >> > > > > > > > > > >
> > >> > > > > > > > > > >
> > >> > > > > > > > > > >
> > >> > > > > > > > > > > Thanks
> > >> > > > > > > > > > >
> > >> > > > > > > > > > >
> > >> > > > > > > > > > > "Brian Bischof" <Brian@NoSpamBischofSystems.com>
> > >> > > > > > > > > > > wrote
> > >> in
> > >> > > > > message
> > >> > > > > > > > > > > news:eQZxtDUGFHA.548@TK2MSFTNGP14.phx.gbl...
> > >> > > > > > > > > > > > You have to cache the report object. Save the
> > >> > > > > > > > > > > > report
> > >> > > object
> > >> > > > to
> > >> > > > > > the
> > >> > > > > > >
> > >> > > > > > > > > > > Session()
> > >> > > > > > > > > > > > collection and then restore it upon page
refresh
> > >> > > > > > > > > > > > (be
> > >> > sure
> > >> > > to
> > >> > > > > > > > explicity
> > >> > > > > > > > > > > cast
> > >> > > > > > > > > > > > it as a ReportDocument). ASP.NET reports do all
> > > kinds
> > >> of
> > >> > > > funny
> > >> > > > > > > > things
> > >> > > > > > > > > if
> > >> > > > > > > > > > > you
> > >> > > > > > > > > > > > don't save them between page refreshes.
> > >> > > > > > > > > > > >
> > >> > > > > > > > > > > > HTH,
> > >> > > > > > > > > > > >
> > >> > > > > > > > > > > > Brian Bischof
> > >> > > > > > > > > > > > www.CrystalReportsBook.com
> > >> > > > > > > > > > > >
> > >> > > > > > > > > > > >
> > >> > > > > > > > > > > >
> > >> > > > > > > > > > > > "LP" <lp@a.com> wrote in message
> > >> > > > > > > > > > > > news:OgS0FtTGFHA.2876@TK2MSFTNGP12.phx.gbl...
> > >> > > > > > > > > > > > > I am using (trying to) CR version XI,
cascading
> > >> > > parameters
> > >> > > > > > > feature
> > >> > > > > > > > > > works
> > >> > > > > > > > > > > > it
> > >> > > > > > > > > > > > > asks user to enter params. But if page is
> > >> resubmitted.
> > >> > > It
> > >> > > > > > > prompts
> > >> > > > > > > > > for
> > >> > > > > > > > > > > > params
> > >> > > > > > > > > > > > > again. I did set
> > >> ReuseParameterValuesOnRefresh="True"
> > >> > in
> > >> > > a
> > >> > > > > > > viewer,
> > >> > > > > > > > > but
> > >> > > > > > > > > > > it
> > >> > > > > > > > > > > > > still doesn't work. Did anyone run into this
> > >> problem.
> > >> > > > What's
> > >> > > > > > the
> > >> > > > > > > > > > > solution?
> > >> > > > > > > > > > > > > Please help.
> > >> > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > >> > > > > > > > > > > > > Thank you
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