Is it possible to password protect a Crystal Report?

[Former Member]

I'd like to be able to password protect a report (preferably just the design element) to stop people fiddling with the report build or even copying the design information. Is this possible?

Thanks in anticipation.

Graham

[Former Member · Accepted solution]

hi Graham,

Yes. it is possible.

File -> Report Options -> Save Lock Report Design

You will be prompted to provide a password.

Save the report.

Now whenever the report is opened in CR designer, it will prompt for Password. Now it is secured.

Regards,

Vamsee

[former_member11696 · Accepted solution]

Hi Vamsee,

That is an option but it still allows the user to view the design of the report, they just can't save it unless they have the password. Not all that Graham wanted.

Thanks

Don

[ido_millet · Accepted solution]

An alternative to the Crystal 2011 rptr option is to use one of the 3rd-party Crystal report viewers listed at http://kenhamady.com/bookmarks.html . That particular viewer allows you to generate an rpz file format with similar protections (plus the ability to impose expiration date and even license key).

[Former Member · Accepted solution]

Thank you all for your responses. Sorry for the delay in awarding points (I've been away).

Points now awarded accordingly

:O)

[Former Member]

Maybe using the Password Protect option is not the best method. We have found that even though the report can't be edited it can be saved as another name. Once saved as another report name the report can be edited in Crystal.

The password only seems to be valid for that specific report and not copies of that report design.

A better option is to use FILE - REPORT OPTIONS - READ ONLY this allows the report to be used / tested but the user has no access to save it as something - no access to the formulas or parameters etc.

Also the report can't be saved as another name in Crystal and if the report is copied outside of Crystal the copied report still has the properties of the original.

We have used this method to supply reports to the customer for testing on their databases.We do put a banner across the report (multiple times) "THIS IS A TRIAL REPORT - {COMPANY NAME} HAS THE REPORT FOR TEST PURPOSES ONLY and this seems to work fairly well to get the customers to trial the reports

[ido_millet]

Setting the "Read Only" option is not a secure solution because:

1. the user can export to report definition

2. the user can simply turn off that checkbox in Crystal Designer

[former_member11696]

Hi Graham,

CR 2011 now has the ability to export to RPTR format, it's locked, not even you can edit it. And it cannot be opened in CR Designer, only the viewer or an application you write and provide to the end user can view it.

See this page for more info: http://www.sdn.sap.com/irj/boc/crystalreports

Thank you

Do