Command Line Builder

The Command Line Builder helps you create a command line to process a report using the Command Runner.

Use the Command Line Builder and Command Runner when you only need to process a single report to produce a single output, or if you need to be able to control all aspects of report processing through command-line parameters. For more complex processing (such as multiple reports or multiple outputs in a single run), use the Project Editor and Project Runner instead. See the Modes of Operation topic for more information.

Basic Command Line Workflow

1. When the Command Line Builder starts, open the Crystal Reports report that you want to process, or a previously-saved project file to work with.
2. Use the settings in the property pages (tabs) of the Command Line Builder to configure Report Commander to print, export, and/or e-mail your report.
3. Go to the Preview page to preview the report or test the export.
4. Use the information on the Command Line page to execute your report from a command prompt, or to configure your scheduler or other automation tool to run the report automatically. See Scheduling Report Execution for more information
5. Optionally, save your settings to a project file so that you use them again later in the Command Line Builder or in the Project Editor. See Using Project Files below for more information.

Loading Settings from Existing Command Lines

If you have an existing command line (created with this or any earlier version of Report Commander), the Report Commander can read that command line to fill in the settings in the Command Line Builder.

To use this feature, choose the Read Settings from Command Line command from the File menu to open the Read Settings from Command Line window. Paste your existing command line from the clipboard into this window, and Report Commander will extract the settings from it.

Using Project Files

The Command Line Builder can read and save the same project file format that is used by the Project Editor and Project Runner. A project you save from the Command Line Builder can be opened in the Project Editor and executed using the Project Runner.

Projects saved using the Project Editor can be opened using the Command Line Builder as long as they meet these restrictions:

• The project must have exactly one report.
• The report cannot have more than one Output Group.
• The report cannot have more than one File Output.
• The report cannot have more than one Print Output.
• The project cannot have more than one E-Mail Task.

If the project does not meet these requirements, the Command Line Builder will show an error message and the project will not be loaded.