I'm trying to clone the design of one report to use on a second report. When I change the datasource for my Crystal report, it wipes out all the field data in design view.

Is there a way to change the datasource without having it wipe all out the layout work I've done? Or is there a better way to clone the design of a report?

Thanks!

There is a simple way:

Suppose your existing datasource is EmployeeMaster and the field is
Empno.

1. Define "New" Formula "ff_Empno" under Formula option.
2. In this formula, define as formula = {EmployeeMaster.Empno}
3. Now place this formula on the Report instead of Empno directly.
4. Now if you change datasource, the Formula is not wiped out nor its
   placement of the report.
5. Once you have a new Datasource(say "Payslip", all you need to do
   is edit the datasource of the formula in,
   formula = {Payslip.Empno}
6. In Fact, you can use binocular icon to do all these changes.
7. Most important, it retains its formatting etc.

Regards,

Dilip Nagle

Thanks very much for your suggestion! I will give it a try!