Visual CUT User Manual

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Introduction & Key Benefits
Install / Remove
- Selecting a Version: 8.5, 9, or 11 (XI R2)
Step 1: Select Report Tab
- Main Buttons
- The Report List Grid
  - Right-Click Menu for Column Headers
  - Right-Click Menu for Report Rows
- Launching a Report
Step 2: Preview
- Remember Parameter Values from a previous Session
  - Save Date Parameter Values as Date Tokens
- Speeding Up Report Previews
- Changing Processing Options without Previewing
- Changing Login, Report Paths & Other Settings without Previewing
  - Find & Replace Report Paths and other Saved Settings
  - Disabling Find & Replace Categories
- Save and Reuse Named Parameter Sets
Step 3: Export/Burst/Email…
- Group Values Area
- Fields & Formulas Area
Exporting/Bursting Options
- Exporting to Multiple Files/Formats in a Single Pass
- Skipping Exporting (VC_Skip_Export)
- Replacing Illegal Characters in Dynamic File Names
- Incrementing Export File Name Counter
  - Default Behavior
  - Customized Behavior
Printing Options
- Bursting to Printer
- Setting Custom Text for each Print Copy
- Interweaving Burst Printouts From Multiple Reports
- Printer Job Name Functionality
Email Options
- Combining Static & Dynamic Content
- Specifying SMTP Server
- Sending Emails via Office365
  - SMTP AUTH Option (simple)
  - OAuth Option (complex)
- Sending Emails via Gmail
- Embedding Special Content
- Sending Message Text as HTML
  - Using Cascading Style Sheets (CSS) in HTML messages
- Integrated HTML Editor
- Auto-Generated HTML Tables for Report/Group Data
- Dynamic Tables inside HTML Email Messages
  - Applying Alternating Row Color
  - Embedding Hyperlinks to Reports/Files inside HTML Email Messages
- File Attachments
  - Attaching Multiple Files
  - Attaching Optional Files
- Email Addresses
- New Email Engine
  - Settings & Arguments for Advanced Email Features
- Queuing Emails & The smtpQ Service
- Generating Twitter or SMS Messages via Email
- Other Options
‘Start Process’ button and Progress Window
Scheduling
- Scheduling Area
- Control Processing Options When Encountering Zero Records
- Adding Scheduled Tasks
- Place the command line in a batch file
  - Command Line Wizard (Parameters & Skip Zero Records)
- Management & Monitoring of Scheduled Tasks
- Fixing Issues
- Processing of Multiple Reports in a Single Batch (.BAT) File
- Execute Multiple Reports in a Single Process
  - Execute all Command Files in Queue Folder
Scheduling (old approach)
- Call the Batch file from Windows Task Scheduler
- Scheduling Issues
  - Windows 7+ Task Scheduler
  - Hide Batch (Command) Windows
E-mailing Alert Messages and Exception Reports
Using Command Line Arguments
- Arguments to Specify Parameter Values
  - Range and Multi-Value Parameters
  - Request User Input for Certain Parameters
  - Null Values
  - Date Constants
  - Custom Calendars
  - Adjusting Date Constants for Day of Week
  - Number Constants
  - Reports with More Than 8 Parameters (restriction removed, 6.2002)
  - Using Parm8 to Specify all Extra Parameter Values
  - Using PowerShell to Set Relative Date Parameters and Call Visual CUT
- Argument to Set Formula Expressions
- Argument to Set Extra Record Selection Logic
- Arguments to Specify Printer Destination
  - Printing to Multiple Printers
  - Using a Text File to Specify Multiple Printers
- Arguments to Specify Printer Bursting Destination
- Specifying Number of Copies
- Arguments to Specify User ID & Password
- Setting Encrypted Password Entries
- Argument to avoid Login Dialog
- Database Choice Functionality (Command Line / GUI)
  - Selecting an Alternative ODBC Data Source
  - Overriding the Database Specified in the Report or ODBC DSN
  - Overriding ODBC Table Location (.CSV Files as Data Source)
  - Overriding the Server in Native Oracle Connection
  - Selecting an Alternative SQL Server – OLE DB Data Source
  - Changing Folder Location for Access/Excel/Pervasive/ACT! Files
- Arguments to Specify Export Format
- Releasing File Locks on Exported Files
- Delaying Processing After Export
- Argument to Specify Email Priority
- Argument to Specify Email Headers
- Argument to Specify Email Subject Emoji
- Arguments to Specify Export/Email Options
- Arguments to Process Reports with No Settings
- Calling Visual CUT From Another Application
- Specifying Arguments from the GUI
- Referring to Saved Encrypted Passwords
Other Options and Features
- Using Saved Data
  - Global Option to Use Saved Data In Command Line Processing
  - Command Line Argument for Saved Data Action
  - Use_Saved_Data_Recent Command Line Argument
- Partially Delegating Exporting/Bursting to DataLink Viewer 2011
  - Proxy Processing Using a Data Snapshot
- Fully Delegated Processing (Preview/Export/Burst)
  - Right-Click Menu to Toggle Delegation
- Triggering a Batch File with Dynamic Content Before/After Export
- Triggering Reports Based on Database, File, and Email Events
- Update a Database After a Successful Process
- Update a Database Before Report Runs
- Extract Files Stored in Database
- Upload Files to a BLOB column in a Database
- Call a Web Service
- ZIP and Password Protect Files
- Global Tokens from INI File
- Load ini Values into Parameters
  - Securing Reports against Unauthorized Use
- FTP/SFTP
  - Exporting to an FTP Server (old approach)
  - Uploading to an FTP Server (new approach)
  - Uploading to an SFTP Server
  - Downloading from an FTP Server
  - Downloading from an SFTP Server
- SharePoint
  - Uploading Files to SharePoint
- File Location Functionality
  - Direct Processing of a Report to Use a Different Settings Folder
  - Write Main Files Folder Location to a Text File
  - Automatic Handling of Write-Protected Application Folders
- Directing the Visual CUT database to Another DBMS
- Export/Import Report Processing Options
- Updating DataLink_Viewer.ini via a Delta File
- Restricting User Actions
- Integrated Interactive Authentication
  - Integrated Authentication ("Remember Me")
  - Shared Machine Authentication
Google Functionality
- Add Events to Google Calendar(s)
  - Adding Events to Multiple Calendars
- Upload Files to Google Drive
Auto-Refreshing Web Dashboards
- Web Dashboard Expert
- iFrame Approach
- Multi-Panel Dashboard Layout
- Multi-Panel Dashboard with Drill-Across
- Preventing File Locking
- Case Study
- Hyperlinks
- Tooltips
- Generating HTML via Email Message Body
- Cleaning png File References
- Restricting Access to Web Dashboards
Web Widget Features
- Web Grid Export
- Web Pivot Table/Chart Export
- Web Schedule Export
  - Processing Logic
- Web Page Options & Upload Expert
PDF Functionality
- Creating Bookmarks (Group Tree) in Exported PDF Files [Old Approach]
  - Controlling PDF Bookmark Colors (& Text)
  - Controlling How Many Bookmark Levels Are Initially Expanded
  - Guarding Against Null Bookmark Values
  - Generating PDF Bookmarks from within Subreports
- Adding Bookmarks Using Crystal Formulas as Tags [New Approach]
  - Setting Up a Crystal Report with pdf formula tags
- Making PDF Files Accessible
- Adding a Table of Content to a PDF File
  - Advanced Table of Content Options
- Adding Page Numbers to a PDF File
- Adding Text to a PDF File
- Adding Web/File/email Hotspot to a PDF File
- Adding an Images with an Optional Hotspot to a PDF File
- Adding Links to Files/URL/eMail/Pages Using Formulas as Tags
  - Setting Up a Crystal Report with pdf field tags
  - Formula Example from the Sample Report
- Embedding Files as Attachments inside a PDF File
- Adding Links and Embedded Files Using Crystal Formulas as Tags
  - Setting Up a Crystal Report with Link_Tag Formulas
  - Formula Example from the Sample Report
- Generating ZUGFeRD Invoices
- Adding Links to Files by Detecting File References in PDF Text
  - Detecting Additional File References Using Wild Card Tokens
- Adding Digital Signature to a PDF File
  - Using a Digital Certificate Token
- Redacting Text in a PDF File
- Highlighting Text in a PDF File
- Encrypting & Protecting a PDF File
- Merging PDF Files
  - Dynamic File Names
  - Using a Text File to Specify Files for Merging
  - Using Wild Cards to Specify Files for Merging
  - Controlling Merged Bookmark Colors
  - Specifying Bookmarks when Merging PDF Files
  - Using the Merged File Names to Generate Bookmarks
  - Using the Merged Folder & File Names to Generate 2-Level Bookmarks
  - Using the Merged File Names to Generate Multi-Level Bookmarks
- Merging 1-Page PDF Files into Layers in a Single PDF File
  - Dynamic File Names
  - Using a Text File to Specify Files for Merging
  - Controlling Layer Name & Visibility
- Printing PDF Files
  - PDF_Print
  - PDF_Clone_And_Print
  - Printing PDF Files To Multiple Printer Trays
    - Using PDF_Print_Split
    - Using PDF_Print_Split_Tag
  - Controlling Print Quality/Speed
- Adding Back-Pages
- Saving PDF Files to Image Files
- Adding Form Fields & Submit Buttons to PDF Files
  - Sample PDF File with Form Fields & Submit Buttons
  - Sample Crystal Report with Formulas as Form Field Tags
  - Setting Up a Crystal Report with pdf field tags
  - Formula Example from the Sample Report
  - Adding a Digital Signature Form Field
  - Populating Form Field Text or Description via ODBC Query
- Filling PDF Forms
  - Setting Up a Crystal Report to Act as a PDF Form Filler
  - Setting Up the Report in Visual CUT
- Setting PDF Document Properties after Export (Automatic)
- Setting PDF Document Properties
- Flatten PDF Files
- Building an Index PDF Documents
- Adding an Index File to a PDF Document
- Adding Named Destinations to a PDF Document
- Adding Multimedia to PDF Document
- Importing Multi-Page TIFF Files into PDF Files
- Inserting Image/PDF Files as New Pages (Tag Approach)
- Splitting PDF Files
  - Splitting By Bookmarks
  - Splitting By Embedded Tags
  - Splitting and Emailing PDF Files By Embedded Tags
  - Splitting, Protecting, and Emailing PDF Files By Embedded Tags
  - Splitting and Protecting PDF Files By Embedded Tags
- Compress PDF Files
- Set PDF/A Mode
- Linearize (web-enable) PDF Files
- Export to PDF via MS WORD
SQL Functionality
- Email Bursting from SQL Data
  - Dynamic Column Tokens
  - HTML Table Tokens
- Convert SQL Data to Web Schedule, Grid, or Pivot Tables/Charts
  - Bursting Excel Data to Multiple Web Outputs
- Mail Merging SQL Data into MS Word Templates
- Update a Database After Success (After_Success_SQL)
  - SQL Server Example 1
  - SQL Server Example 2
- Update a Database Before Report Runs (Before_Report_Run_SQL)
Excel Functionality
- Email Bursting from Excel Workbooks
  - Dynamic Column Tokens
  - HTML Table Tokens
- Convert Excel Data to Web Schedule, Grid, or Pivot Tables/Charts
  - Bursting Excel Data to Multiple Web Outputs
- Mail Merging Excel Data into MS Word Templates
- Exporting to Excel 2007 (.xlsx) Files
- Combining Excel Bursting Exports into a Single Multi-Tab Spreadsheet
- Adding Excel Exports as Tabs in Existing/New Spreadsheets (Briefing Books)
  - Appending or Replacing Data for Existing Tabs
- Controlling Excel Tab Colors
- Setting Up Print Properties for Excel Workbooks
- Auto Filter & Freeze Panes in Excel Exports
- Format Data as Excel Tables
- Auto Fit in Excel Exports
  - Auto fit Column Widths
  - Auto Fit Row Heights
- Remove Blank Rows
- Password Protecting Excel Workbooks
- Protecting Excel Worksheets against User Viewing/Editing
  - Using Excel Automation (old and limited way)
  - Without Excel Automation (new way)
- Inserting File Exports into Excel Templates
  - Video Demo of Refreshing Data in Excel Dashboard
  - Sample Input & Output
- Splitting Workbook & Inserting into a Template (faster method)
  - Keeping the Template File Small
  - Notes
  - Token Substitution
- Inserting Crystal Values into Excel Templates
  - Specifying Named Ranges in the Excel Template and Matching Formulas in Crystal
  - Crystal Formula Content for Multi-cell and multi-row Named Ranges
  - Populating Multiple Named Ranges
  - Before & After Images
- Transferring Tabs To Another Workbook
- Splitting Excel Workbooks by Tabs
- Splitting Excel Workbooks by First Column
- Merging Excel Workbooks
- Generating Excel Pivot Tables
- Refreshing Data (Queries, Pivot Tables) from all Connections
- Running an Excel Macro
- Modifying Excel Files
- Replacing Content in Excel Files
  - Exporting Formula Expressions to Excel, and Activating Them
  - Find & Replace Content in Excel Columns
- Convert XLS/CSV Files to XLSX (and merging sheets)
- Convert Excel Files to PDF
- Convert Excel Files to HTML
- Convert Excel Files to CSV
- Convert Excel Files to TEXT
- Convert Excel Files to JSON
- Upload Excel/CSV Data to Database
  - Notes
  - Adding Columns On The Fly
- Upload Excel Tabs to Google Sheets
  - Notes
MS Word Functionality
- Protecting MS WORD Files
- Mail Merging Values into MS Word Templates
- Replace Formatting in MS WORD Files
- Printing MS WORD Files
- Printing MS WORD Files with Watermarks
- Convert WORD Files to PDF
Text Functionality
- Splitting Text Files by Embedded Tags
- Merging Text Files
- Replacing Content in Text Files
- Removing Blank or Short Lines in Text Files
- Removing GUIDs from png Files Referenced in HTML Exports
- Replacing Content in Text/HTML Files – Token Approach
- Sorting Text File by Content in Specified Column Positions
- Inserting Base64-Encoded Files Inside Text/XML
- Changing Text File Encoding
ODBC Export Functionality
- Append Functionality
- Replace Functionality
Capturing & Processing Incoming Emails
- Use Scenarios
- Triggering Email Capture
- [Email_Get] ini Section
- Email Get Directive Sections
- Capturing Emails
- Email Capture Table Structure
Inspect & Update Report Designs
- Report Inspection Grid
- Find & Replace Text and Expressions
  - Using a List of Find & Replace Pairs (Report Translation Use Case)
    - Notes:
- Generate & Import Formulas from Excel
- Generate & Import Field Format Expressions from Excel
- Update Data Source in Multiple Reports
- Update Commands
- Update Fonts
- Re-import Subreports
  - Handling of Bad Import Path
Monitoring Visual CUT Processing
- Failure Log
  - Silent Unattended Failure Option
  - Silent Attended Failure Option
- Failure Alerts via Email
  - Adding Custom Text to Failure Email Alerts
  - Using Different Email Settings for Failure Messages
- Log Email Activity
- Avoiding Duplicate Processing
- Avoiding Too Many Active Visual CUT Instances (Queuing)
- Handling Missing Parameter Values
- Job Status Functionality
- Record Processing to an ODBC Database
- Update a Database After Success
- Update a Database Before Report Runs
- Call a Web Service after Success (After_Success_HTTP)
  - Sending SMS Messages
- Trigger Dynamic Batch File after Success (After_Success_Batch)
  - Dynamic References to Fields/Formulas within the Batch File
  - Logging to a text file
Table of Command Line Arguments
- Data Source Options
- Report Parameters/Formulas
- Printing Options
- Export Options
- Email Options
- PDF Options (processed in this order)
- Excel Options
- MS Word Options
- Text/HTML Options
- Miscellaneous
Update History
- Version 7.5.4: Entered Testing December 12, 2024
- Version 7.5.1: Released May 11, 2024
- Version 7.4.1: Released June 29, 2023
- Version 7.3.1: Released November 8, 2022
- Version 7.2.1: Released December 19, 2018
- Version 7.1.1: Released November 11, 2017
- Version 7.0.1: Released November 26, 2016
- Version 6.9001: Released November 21, 2015
- Version 6.8001: Released November 16, 2014
- Version 6.7001: Released December 01, 2013
- Version 6.6001: Released December 31, 2012
- Version 6.5001: Released January 26, 2012
- Version 6.4001: Released June 01, 2011
- Version 6.3001: Released July 02, 2010
  - New PDF Features
- Version 6.2001: Released November 28, 2009
- Version 6.1001: Released March 10, 2009
- Version 6.0000: Released 11/23/2008
Known Issues and Limitation