Crystal Reports for Abra: ADA vs. ODBC

Abra Data Access (ADA) was developed to provide security for Crystal Reports created with Abra data. ADA is an OLE DB provider. OLE DB stands for 'Object Linking and Embedding, Database' and was developed as an API by Microsoft to access data. ADA works in conjunction with the User Security and Ad Hoc Reporting Security in Abra to make sure that the user only sees data they are allowed to view. This is why a report using ADA will force you to log into Abra if you haven't already done so...it needs to check your credentials prior to displaying the data.

Reports using ODBC as a data source do not have this security. Also ADA contains many useful additional fields such as _Name1(Last, First Middle) and other underscore fields which display the description of a code table item rather than the code. For this reason, all your Crystal Reports should use ADA.

Here's how to change an existing ODBC report to ADA (remember you can click the thumbnails below for larger images):

1) Open the report in Crystal Reports.

2) From the menu select Database, Convert Database Driver. This will open the Convert Database dialog.

3) Check the Convert Database Driver on next refresh checkbox. This enables the drop-down list. From the list select 'pdsoledb.dll (OLEBD)'

4) Click OK. The Data Link Properties dialog will open. Select 'Abra Data Access (OLE DB Provider)'

5) Click OK. The verify database dialog will open for each database in your report.

Now you have an ADA Crystal Report!

Posted by: Tim Ross