Displaying a dynamic image using a PDF file.

[#1]

I am trying to find a way to display an image dynamically in my report. The image happens to be .pdf I have Crystal Reports XI and I have the graphic location formula completed "
10.93.138.250\Production\ProdOut\00\" & {Order_Record.URN_text} + "_p1.pdf" however it tells me PDF is not supported. Is there a way around this?

[Former Member · Accepted solution]

That's a good suggestion...you're right I can view (display) a pdf.

I've added an OLE object PDF and then applied conditions to graphic location condtions on the picture tab of the format graphic options. I've popluated with additional image locations but the PDF (OLE Object) does not refresh with the new image (PDF). Does the dynamic graphic locations not work with this method?

[Former Member · Accepted solution]

Carey,

One pdf-converter that I use is PDF-XChange viewer. I believe it is a free download. I have used that in combination with paint.net program to manipulate my pdf/images. Hope this helps somewhat.

Matt

[Alex_S_sap1 · Accepted solution]

The Dynamic Graphic Location will only be able to work with 'image' file types (Example: .JPG, .BMP and .TIFF) and if a formula is used to dynamically change the image according to a database value, the data will change as expected so the correct image is displayed.

If an image is used the Dynamic Graphic Location will work as expected however if a non-image file type such as .RTF, .PDF are used then this will not work within this formula editor since they are not Graphic files.

If you want to use the Dynamic Graphic Location, your .PDF files would need to be converted to a graphic file such as .JPG, .BMP etc.

[Former Member · Accepted solution]

I have to agreed that what you are saying appears to be true from my attempts at getting .pdf files to work dynamically. Using .bmp and .jpg files seems to work just fine but not .pdf, .xls, or .doc.

In the Users Guide, in chapter 16, in the section titled "Working with static OLE objects" - it only talks about the picture type formats you mentioned and metafiles. Later in this section is where it explains how to make a static OLE object dynamic.

While it doesn't specifically say it won't work for other types - it sure doesn't seem to. I see no reason why this should be true however! Certainly Crystal appears to be set up to allow this and the fact that the objects are not images shouldn't matter. Why is there a picture tab and a conditional formula button next to the graphic location label on the object if it can't be used?

I'm trying to do something similiar to Carey. I have maps to customers in a customer list and they are in .pdf files. The location of the map is stored in the database. I'm putting together a report of service calls and I want to print the map with each call. It looks like I'll have to convert several thousand .pdf files to .jpg - that should be fun!

Any chance this limitation will be eliminated sometime soon...

Edited by: Randy Walter on Oct 2, 2008 6:40 PM

[Former Member · Accepted solution]

has anyone come up with a solution to this issue? i was just in contact with SAP and they told me it is a microsoft issue that does not support dynamic pdf. i asked them to put in a request for the enhancement. i have a client that has thousands of documents in pdf format that will need to e converted to image format to load into crystal. the conversion would have to be multipage. for instance the first page is an invoice followed by multiple pages of documentation for that invoice.

i am testing a pdf converter software but when it exports from pdf to image format it is also exporting other images from the pdf. any ideas on other applications?

[Former Member · Accepted solution]

SAP ...

1) why can't we use dynamic pdf, xls & doc files but can for image files?

2) Are you going to fix this issue/bug please?

3) Why do static pdfs only show the first page for multipe page pdfs?

[Former Member · Accepted solution]

I do not believe this would be considered a bug. Rather this would be a feature that can be requested via the SAP Idea Place:

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- Ludek

Senior Support Engineer AGS Product Support, Global Support Center Canada

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Message was edited by: Ludek Uher