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Crystal Reports
Insert Images into a Database for use with Crystal Reports
Overview
This document describes methods of inserting images into several of the
most common databases off which Crystal Reports can report. Upon
completion, you will be familiar with how to insert images into
databases and how to report off the image data using Crystal Reports
(CR).
The images described are supported in Crystal Reports 8 and later.
New in Crystal Reports XI
Dynamic Image Location:
In Crystal Reports XI, pictures and graphics can now be placed in a
report through a link in the database so that it is no longer necessary to
store images within the database. This supports the common practice of
storing images on the web server and storing references to those images
in the database. For more information on Dynamic Image Location in CR
XI refer to the Crystal Reports Online Help by pressing the 'F1' key.
DISCLAIMER
Because there are potentially several versions of the third-party products discussed in
this document, the instructions provided may be different on your computer. Consult
your product documentation to complete the instructions.
Contents
NEW IN CRYSTAL REPORTS XI..................................................................... 1
Dynamic Image Location: ............................................................................1
INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................ 3
BEFORE YOU BEGIN.................................................................................... 3
MICROSOFT ACCESS ................................................................................... 3
OLE Object Fields........................................................................................3
MICROSOFT SQL SERVER ........................................................................... 6
Image Fields .................................................................................................6
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ORACLE ..................................................................................................... 7
BLOB Fields.................................................................................................7
Long Raw Fields ..........................................................................................9
SYBASE ...................................................................................................... 9
Image Fields .................................................................................................9
DB2 ......................................................................................................... 11
BLOB Fields...............................................................................................11
INFORMIX .................................................................................................. 12
Byte Fields .................................................................................................12
BLOB Fields...............................................................................................12
PERVASIVE ............................................................................................... 14
Longvarbinary Fields.................................................................................14
PARADOX ................................................................................................. 14
Binary Fields..............................................................................................14
Graphic Field .............................................................................................14
LOTUS NOTES ........................................................................................... 15
FINDING MORE INFORMATION .................................................................... 15
CONTACTING BUSINESS OBJECTS FOR TECHNICAL SUPPORT ..................... 15
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Introduction
Crystal Reports 8 and later allows you to incorporate images into a
report. An effective method to include images is to report off a field that
contains the image data. This method is dependent on the following:
The database type
The data type of the field that contains the physical image data
This document provides instructions based on the database type that
you are currently using and the data types that are available.
Before You Begin
Before you begin, the following conditions must exist to successfully
report off images in Crystal Reports:
Ensure that an OLE server for the inserted image type is installed on the
computer where the image will be inserted. To verify this, ensure
that the image appears correctly in an application when doubleclicking on the image file in Windows Explorer.
Ensure that you have been assigned adequate database permissions and
rights.
Microsoft Access
OLE Object Fields
The Access data type that is capable of containing images is OLE Object.
Images are inserted, via OLE (Object Linking and Embedding), and are
embedded into the database.
In Access, complete the following steps to create an OLE Object field and
to insert an image data into this field.
1. Create a table and add a field that is defined as OLE Object data type.
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2. When the table is open for inserting data in the Datasheet View,
right-click on the data cell and select Insert Object.
The Insert Object dialog box appears.
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3. Select the Create from File radio button. Browse for or enter the full
path and name of the image file. This should appear in the File text
box.
NOTE
Only select the Link check box if the image file is updated periodically. These changes to
the image file would be reflected in the database. However, leaving the Link check box
unselected will embed the image into the database and will no longer be dependent on
the existence of the external image file.
4. Click OK and the image will be inserted. The image is represented
only by text describing the image’s associated application in the data
cell.
Crystal Reports 8 and later can now report off image data that has been
inserted into the Access OLE Object field.
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Microsoft SQL Server
Image Fields
The SQL Server Image data type is capable of containing image data.
Image data is inserted into Image fields through the use of a Microsoft
utility called BCP. BCP is a command line application that is installed as
part of the SQL Server client installation.
CAUTION
Ensure that the SQL Server \bin folder is in the Windows search path.
In SQL Server, complete the following steps to create a table with an
Image field and to insert image data into this field.
1. Create a table and define a field as Image data type.
CAUTION
The table that is to contain the image data needs to be created in advance. It should
contain only one field, with the field defined as type Image.
Syntax of command line:
CREATE TABLE yourtablename (yourfieldname image)
2. Using the BCP utility, enter the command line syntax as shown
below. To insert image data, the syntax has been streamlined.
C:\> BCP <database>.<owner>.<table_name> in <path>\<filename>
-S<server_name> -U<username> -P<password>
Where:
<database> is the SQL Server database referenced,
<owner> is the owner of the table,
<table_name> is the name of the table,
<path> is the fully qualified folder that the image file resides in,
<filename> is the name of the image file, with extension,
<server_name> is the name of the SQL server,
<username> is the name of a valid user with INSERT rights on the table,
<password> is the user’s password.
For example:
C:\> BCP Techtest.vantech.ImageTable in C:\Images\Xtreme.jpg
–Sdbconn1 –Uvantech –Pvantech
When running the BCP utility, you will be prompted for several
parameter values.
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1. Hit ENTER for the file storage type prompt.
2. Enter 0 for the prefix-length prompt.
3. Enter the length (size) of image file in bytes for the length of field
prompt.
NOTE
The length (size) of the field can be determined by reviewing the Properties of the file in
Windows Explorer.
4. Hit ENTER for field terminator prompt.
5. Enter n for save format information prompt.
Crystal Reports 8 and later can now report off image data that has been
inserted into the SQL Server Image field.
Oracle
Oracle has two data types that are capable of containing data: BLOB and
Long Raw.
BLOB Fields
The Oracle BLOB data type is capable of containing image data. Image
data is inserted into an Oracle BLOB field byte by byte.
In Oracle, complete the following steps to create a directory on the
Oracle server and to insert image data into the Oracle BLOB field byte by
byte.
1. In the following PL/SQL code, create a directory on the Oracle
server to contain the image file.
BFILE fields are Oracle fields used to specify images stored in operating
system files (for example: Xtreme.jpg)
Syntax of PL/SQL code:
----------- NOTE: Text enclosed in angle brackets <**> represent
text requiring customization by the user --------------------CREATE OR REPLACE DIRECTORY <TechID>_BLOBDATA AS '<path>';
-- A directory "object" is created, with <path> being the location
of the image file(s)
GRANT READ ON DIRECTORY <TechID>_BLOBDATA TO PUBLIC;
/* The user running the CREATE TABLE and CREATE PROCEDURE scripts
must have this grant.
This grant is granted to this user from a user with the DBA role
*/
CREATE TABLE <TechID>_BLOBTABLE (BLOBID INTEGER, BLOBFORMAT
VARCHAR2(3), BLOBLENGTH INTEGER, BLOBNAME VARCHAR2(50), BFILEFIELD
BFILE, BLOBFIELD BLOB);
-- The table that will contain the image(s) is created
CREATE OR REPLACE PROCEDURE <TechID>_INSERTBLOBFROMBFILE (
P_BLOBNAME IN <TechID>_BLOBTABLE.BLOBNAME%TYPE
)
/* When executed, this stored procedure will insert the image into
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the BLOB field in the above table.
The image is inserted into the table piece by piece.
pieces of the image are inserted, plus
the last remaining bytes that are left over */
1 kb
AS
P_BLOBID
P_BLOBFORMAT
P_BLOBLENGTH
P_BFILEFIELD
P_BLOBFIELD
BUFFER
BUFFER_LENGTH
OFFSET
CURRENT_WRITE
NUMBER_OF_WRITES
required
REMAINING_BYTES
INTEGER;
VARCHAR2(3);
INTEGER;
BFILE;
BLOB;
RAW(1024);
INTEGER := 1024;
INTEGER := 1;
INTEGER;
INTEGER;
-----------
Unique row identifier
File extension
Length of file (in bytes)
BFILE locator
BLOB locator
Read/Write Buffer
Length of Buffer
File offset indicator
Counter
Number of 1K writes
INTEGER;
-- Number of remaining bytes
BEGIN
SELECT (COUNT(BLOBID)+1) INTO P_BLOBID FROM <TechID>_BLOBTABLE;
-- Retrieves the next unique row identifier
P_BLOBFORMAT := UPPER(SUBSTR(P_BLOBNAME,(LENGTH(P_BLOBNAME)2),3));
-- Retrieves the file extension from file name
P_BFILEFIELD := BFILENAME('<TechID>_BLOBDATA',P_BLOBNAME);
-- Initializes the local BFILE locator to DIRECTORY object and
file name
-- DIRECTORY object, <TechID>_BLOBDATA, is a logical alias for
physical directory on server's file system
-- BFILE locator holds the path to the file name and is used to
populate the BLOB locator
P_BLOBLENGTH := DBMS_LOB.GETLENGTH(P_BFILEFIELD);
-- Retrieves the length of file (in bytes)
INSERT INTO <TechID>_BLOBTABLE VALUES
(P_BLOBID,P_BLOBFORMAT,P_BLOBLENGTH,UPPER(P_BLOBNAME),P_BFILEFIELD,
RAWTOHEX('0x00'));
-- Inserts unique row identifier, file extension, length of file
(in bytes), file name, BFILE locator and initialize BLOB locator
SELECT BLOBFIELD INTO P_BLOBFIELD FROM <TechID>_BLOBTABLE WHERE
BLOBID = P_BLOBID FOR UPDATE;
-- Selects BLOB locator from table into local BLOB locator for
updating
DBMS_LOB.FILEOPEN(P_BFILEFIELD,DBMS_LOB.FILE_READONLY);
-- Opens the file in read only mode
NUMBER_OF_WRITES := TRUNC(P_BLOBLENGTH/BUFFER_LENGTH);
-- Calculates the number of 1K writes required
FOR CURRENT_WRITE IN 1..NUMBER_OF_WRITES LOOP
-- This FOR loop loops until number of 1K writes is exceeded
DBMS_LOB.READ(P_BFILEFIELD,BUFFER_LENGTH,OFFSET,BUFFER);
-- Reads 1K bytes from local BFILE locator
DBMS_LOB.WRITE(P_BLOBFIELD,BUFFER_LENGTH,OFFSET,BUFFER);
-- Writes 1K bytes to local BLOB locator
OFFSET := OFFSET + BUFFER_LENGTH;
-- Increments the file offset by 1K bytes
END LOOP;
REMAINING_BYTES := P_BLOBLENGTH(BUFFER_LENGTH*NUMBER_OF_WRITES);
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-- Calculates the remaining bytes
IF (REMAINING_BYTES > 0) THEN
-- This IF condition checks for remaining bytes
DBMS_LOB.READ(P_BFILEFIELD,REMAINING_BYTES,OFFSET,BUFFER);
-- Reads remaining bytes from local BFILE locator
DBMS_LOB.WRITE(P_BLOBFIELD,REMAINING_BYTES,OFFSET,BUFFER);
-- Writes remaining bytes to local BLOB locator
END IF;
DBMS_LOB.FILECLOSE(P_BFILEFIELD);
-- Closes the file
COMMIT;
-- Commits the row to the database
END;
/
BEGIN
<TechID>_INSERTBLOBFROMBFILE('badimage1.tif');
END;
-- This code executes the stored procedure to insert the image
badimage1.tif
/
Crystal Reports 8 and later can now report off image data that has been
inserted into the Oracle BLOB field.
Long Raw Fields
Images are inserted into Long Raw fields in Oracle using ADO through
an application, such as Visual Basic. The image is separated into one
Megabyte chunks and passed to an array as an element. The ADO
method Appendchunk is then used to piece the arrayed chunks into the
Long Raw field.
Crystal Reports 8 and later can now report off image data that has been
inserted into the Oracle Long Raw field
Sybase
Image Fields
The Sybase Image data type is capable of containing image data. Image
data can be inserted into Image fields through the use a Microsoft utility
called BCP. BCP is a command line application that is installed as part of
the Sybase client installation.
CAUTION
Ensure that the Sybase \bin folder is in the Windows search path.
In Sybase, complete the following steps to create a table with an Image
field and to insert image data into this field.
1. Create a table and define a field as Image data type.
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CAUTION
The table that is to contain the image needs to be created in advance. It should contain
only one field, with the field defined as type image.
Syntax of command line:
CREATE TABLE yourtablename (yourfieldname image)
2. Using the BCP utility, enter the command line syntax as shown
below. To insert image data, the syntax has been streamlined.
C:\> BCP <database>.<owner>.<table_name> in <path>\<filename>
-S<server_name> -U<username> -P<password>
Where:
<database> is the Sybase database referenced,
<owner> is the owner of the table,
<table_name> is the name of the table,
<path> is the fully qualified folder that the image file resides in,
<filename> is the name of the image file, with extension,
<server_name> is the name of the SQL server,
<username> is the name of a valid user with INSERT rights on the table,
<password> is the user’s password.
For example:
C:\> BCP Techtest.vantech.ImageTable in C:\Images\Xtreme.jpg
–Sdbconn1 –Uvantech –Pvantech
When running the BCP utility, you will be prompted for several
parameter values.
1. Hit ENTER for file storage type prompt.
2. Enter 0 for prefix-length prompt.
3. Enter the length (size) of image file in bytes for length of field prompt.
NOTE
The length (size) of the field can be determined by checking the Properties of the file in
Windows Explorer.
4. Hit ENTER for field terminator prompt.
5. Enter n for save format information prompt.
Crystal Reports 8 and later can now report off image data that has been
inserted into a Sybase Image field.
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DB2
BLOB Fields
The DB2 data type that is capable of containing image data is BLOB.
Image data is inserted into BLOB fields.
In DB2, complete the following steps to create a table with a BLOB field
and to insert image data into this field.
1. Create a table and define a field as BLOB.
SQL Syntax for DB2 Command Center:
CREATE TABLE <yourtablename> (BLOBID INTEGER, BLOBFORMAT
VARCHAR(3), BLOBLENGTH INTEGER, BLOBNAME VARCHAR(50), BLOBFIELD
BLOB(100K));
Where:
<yourtablename> is the name assigned to the table,
BLOBID contains an ID value,
BLOBFORMAT contains the image format (for example: JPG),
BLOBLENGTH is the size of the image file, in bytes,
BLOBNAME is the name of the image file,
BLOBFIELD is the actual image, referenced from the location and
filename (for example: C:\Images\Image1.jpg)
2. Insert data, including the image file, into the table from a DEL file.
DEL files are DB2 data files that contain comma-separated text. DEL
files can be edited with an ASCII text editor, such as MS Notepad.
Data in the DEL file must match the structure defined for it in the table
that contains the data. Here are the contents of a DEL file that matches
the table definition, defined above.
JPG, 34015, Image1.jpg, C:\Images\Image1.jpg
BMP, 399062, Image1.bmp, C:\Images\Image1.bmp
TIF, 399168, Image1.tif, C:\Images\Image1.tif
GIF, 53033, Image1.gif, C:\Images\Image1.gif
PNG, 229382, Image1.png, C:\Images\Image1.png
To insert the records, including the images, into the table, the following
IMPORT command needs to be run by DB2 Command Center:
IMPORT FROM <path>\<yourfilename>.DEL OF DEL MODIFIED BY LOBSINFILE
INSERT INTO <table_name>;
Where:
<path> is the Windows path to the DEL file
<yourfilename> is the name of the DEL file
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<yourtablename> is the name of the table that was created with the
CREATE TABLE command.
Crystal Reports 8 and later can now report off image data that has been
inserted into the DB2 BLOB-type field.
Informix
Informix has two data types capable of containing image data: Byte and
BLOB.
Byte Fields
Informix Byte data type is capable of containing image data.
NOTE
The process to insert images into Informix Byte fields is identical to the process of
inserting images into Oracle Long Raw fields.
Images are inserted into Byte fields in Informix using ADO through an
application, such as Visual Basic. The image is separated into one
Megabyte chunks and fed into an array. The ADO method Appendchunk
is then used to piece the arrayed chunks into the Byte field.
Crystal Reports 8 and later can now report off image data that has been
inserted into the Informix Byte field.
BLOB Fields
Informix BLOB data type is capable of containing image data. Before
image data can be inserted into a BLOB field, a blobspace must be created
on the Informix server. The blobspace is used to store BLOB-type data,
including images.
Once the blobspace has been created, the image is inserted into a table
using the FILETOBLOB() function. The FILETOBLOB function is used
within an SQL INSERT statement.
In Informix, complete the following steps to create a blobspace, to create a
table with a BLOB field and to insert the image data into this field.
1. Create the blobspace from the Informix server command prompt.
This procedure must be done on the actual server computer. The
Informix server command prompt item can be identified by a
shortcut with the server’s name in the Informix Dynamic Server
program group.
For example, if the Informix server’s name is YourServer, the shortcut
YourServer will appear in the Informix Dynamic Server program
group.
At the command prompt, create the blobspace with the following
command:
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onspaces -c -b <BLOB_Space_Name> -g 2 -p <path&filename> -o 0 -s 2000
Where:
<BLOB_Space_Name> is any name assigned to the blobspace
<path&filename> is the filename with its location (for example:
C:\Images\MyImage.jpg)
NOTE
Use the specified values in the onspaces command line.
Once the onspace command has been constructed, hit ENTER to create
the blobspace.
2. In the Informix SQL Editor, create a table that has a field defined as a
BLOB data type.
For example:
Create table ImageTest (ID int, YourImage BLOB)
3. Insert the image data into the table through a standard SQL INSERT
statement. The image is inserted in the INSERT statement via the
FILETOBLOB() function. FILETOBLOB() contains the following
syntax:
FILETOBLOB(‘<path>\<filename>.<image_extension>’,
‘<location>’)
Where:
<path> is the path to the image file
<filename> is the name of the image file
<image_extension> is the extension of the image file (eg. JPG)
<location> is the computer where the insertion is occurring. If the image
is being inserted on the server computer, use the value server. If the
image is being inserted from a client workstation computer, use the
value client.
For example:
INSERT INTO ImageTest VALUES (1,
FILETOBLOB(‘C:\Images\MyImage.jpg’, ‘client’))
Crystal Reports 8 and later can now report off image data that has been
inserted into an Informix BLOB field.
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Pervasive
Longvarbinary Fields
Pervasive Longvarbinary data type is capable of containing image data.
Image data is inserted into Longvarbinary fields using ADO through an
application such as Microsoft Visual Basic.
The image is separated into one Megabyte chunks and passed into an
array as elements. The ADO method Appendchunk is then used to piece
the arrayed chunks into the Longvarbinary field.
Crystal Reports 8 and later can now report off image data that has been
inserted into the Pervasive Longvarbinary field.
Paradox
Paradox has three data types capable of containing image data: Binary,
Graphic or OLE.
However, JPEG files contained in an OLE field in Paradox do not display
in Crystal Reports. This occurs with both native and ODBC connections.
This is a known issue and has been assigned track ID 31823.
To report off JPEG files in Paradox, insert the images into a Binary or
Graphic field.
Binary Fields
Paradox Binary data type is capable of containing image data.
Complete the following steps in Paradox:
1. Select the Binary field.
2. From the Edit menu and click Paste.
3. Select the JPEG file.
Crystal Reports 8 and later can now report off image data that has been
inserted into the Paradox Binary field.
Graphic Field
Paradox Graphic data type is capable of containing image data.
Complete the following steps in Paradox:
4. Select the Graphic field.
5. From the Edit menu and click Paste.
6. Select the JPEG file.
Crystal Reports 8 and later can now report off image data that has been
inserted into the Paradox Graphic field.
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Lotus Notes
At the time of this writing, Lotus Notes was not able to define a field as
an image data type such as BLOB, OLE Object, Graphic, Binary, Image.
Lotus Notes is able to display JPEG files in fields defined as Rich Text
Format (RTF). However, Crystal Reports does not support reporting off
JPEG files that are contained in a Rich Text Format field.
Finding More Information
For more information, consult the product documentation of your
database.
For more information about new features in Crystal Reports XI, visit our
website at
http://www.businessobjects.com/products/reporting/crystalreports/
whatsnew.asp
Contacting Business Objects for Technical Support
We recommend that you refer to the product documentation and that
you visit our Technical Support web site for more resources.
Self-serve Support:
http://support.Businessobjects.com/
Email Support:
http://support.Businessobjects.com/support/answers.asp
Telephone Support:
http://www.Businessobjects.com/contact/support.asp
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