How to Convert Crystal Reports to RDL Using Bold Reports

Introduction 

Crystal Reports has been a reliable reporting tool for years, but its desktop-only design, limited web integration, and lack of cloud readiness have left many organizations searching for modern alternatives. Migrating to RDL (Report Definition Language) reports opens the door to web-based reporting, cloud deployment, and seamless embedding.

In this blog, we’ll show you a step-by-step process on how to re-create Crystal Reports to RDL by using Bold Reports.  We’ll also cover formula compatibility, workarounds for unsupported features, and why Bold Reports is the ideal platform for your migration.

What is Crystal Reports? 

Crystal Reports is a reporting tool developed by SAP that enables users to design and generate detailed reports from various data sources such as databases, spreadsheets, and web services. Its key strengths include:

• Custom report layouts with tables, charts, and formulas.

• Export options to formats like PDF, Excel, and Word.

• Enterprise-grade usage for financial, operational, and sales reporting.

Despite its popularity, Crystal Reports is desktop-based and lacks modern web integration, prompting many organizations to migrate to RDL-based platforms like Bold Reports.

Why migrate from Crystal Reports to RDL? 

Before diving into the conversion process, let’s explore why RDL is a better fit for modern reporting needs.

• Web-based deployment: RDL reports can be rendered in browsers and embedded in applications.

• Cloud readiness: RDL integrates well with cloud data sources and services.

• Modern design tools: RDL report designers, including Bold Reports, often offer a drag-and-drop designer with real-time preview.

• SSRS compatibility: RDL is the native format for SQL Server Reporting Services (SSRS), ensuring long-term support and flexibility.

• Extensibility: Custom code and assemblies can be used to extend report logic.

Ready to make the switch? With Bold Reports, you get all the power of RDL plus cloud deployment, embedding, and collaboration features. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you convert Crystal Reports to RDL.

Step-by-step guide: Convert Crystal Reports to RDL  

Step 1: Analyze the Crystal Report

Before beginning the conversion, thoroughly review the structure of the Crystal Report through the following criteria:

• Layout and design: Identify headers, footers, body sections, groups, and detail areas.

• Data sources and datasets: Document database connections, queries, and stored procedures.

• Parameters and filters: Record user input fields and filtering logic.

• Formulas and expressions: Note any custom calculations or logic used in the report.

This step lays the foundation for accurately replicating the report in RDL.

Step 2: Extract data from the Crystal Report

Collect all necessary data components to replicate the report in RDL by doing the following:

• Identify all data sources and stored procedures (e.g., SQL databases, XML files).

• Document the configuration of each data source for accurate replication.

• Test database connections to confirm accessibility and functionality.

This step ensures the data structure is ready for seamless integration into Bold Reports.

Step 3: Re-create the report in the Bold Reports Report Designer

Use the Bold Reports Designer or Server to rebuild the report in RDL format by following these steps:

1. Create a new RDL report.
2. Import and configure connections to the original database.
3. Reconstruct the report layout by using RDL-supported report items like tablixes and charts.
4. Apply groupings and sorting logic by using tablixes or list
5. Add parameters to match user input functionality from the original report.
6. Rewrite formulas and calculations using RDL’s expression language.
7. Apply formatting to match the original design—fonts, colors, alignment, and styling.

After re-creating the layout, your report should closely resemble the original Crystal Report.

Step 4: Test the report

Ensure the new RDL report mirrors the original Crystal Report:

• Verify data accuracy and completeness.

• Confirm layout and formatting consistency.

• Test parameters, groupings, and other interactive features.

Now that your report is built, thoroughly testing it validates its accuracy and functionality.

Step 5: Deploy the RDL report

Preview the RDL report to confirm it renders correctly and behaves as expected.

By following these steps, you can successfully convert Crystal Reports to RDL by using Bold Reports. Converting your reports to the RDL standard ensures seamless transitions moving forward and preserves the integrity of your reporting workflows.

Formula support: Crystal Reports vs. Bold Reports 

Formula compatibility is a key part of migrating from Crystal Reports to RDL, especially for string, date/time, math, logic, and aggregation functions. Let’s explore how Bold Reports handles these formulas in detail.

Formulas supported in Bold Reports

Bold Reports supports the most commonly used Crystal Reports formulas through VB.NET-based expressions, similar to SSRS. These include:

• String functions: Mid, Left, Right, Replace, Trim

• Date/time functions: Today(), Now(), DateAdd(), Format()

• Math functions: Round(), Abs(), Ceiling(), Floor()

• Logical expressions: IF(), Switch(), IsNothing()

• Aggregations: Sum(), Avg(), Count(), Min(), Max()

• Globals: PageNumber, TotalPages, UserID

Let’s look at the Crystal Reports formulas that aren’t fully supported in Bold Reports and how to work around them.

Unsupported Crystal Reports formulas and their workarounds in Bold Reports 

Next, let’s explore how to handle unsupported Crystal Reports features in Bold Reports using custom assemblies.

Workaround: Custom assembly references 

For complex logic such as loops or array handling, Bold Reports supports custom assembly references. The process works like this:

1. Write your logic in a .NET assembly.
2. Reference it in your RDL report.
3. Call the custom methods from within expressions.

This approach allows you to extend the capabilities of Bold Reports beyond native expressions.

Function comparison table: Crystal Reports vs. Bold Reports/ SSRS 

Why choose Bold Reports for report migration? 

Migrating isn’t just about switching formats—it’s about preparing your reporting for the future. With Bold Reports, you can seamlessly convert Crystal Reports to RDL while gaining the advantages of rich data visualizations, cloud-ready deployment, and SSRS compatibility. Its drag-and-drop designer makes re-creating complex reports simple, and it also supports PPT-to-RDL and Word-to-RDL conversion, enabling users to repurpose existing content into interactive reports with ease.

Bold Reports streamlines Word-to-RDL conversion with a free, no-code Word-to-RDL migration tool that preserves formatting and accuracy. This eliminates manual conversion errors and enables teams to repurpose legacy Word documents into professional-grade RDL reports effortlessly.

With robust security and scalable deployment options with features like SSL encryption, role-based access, and row-level security, Bold Reports ensures your data remains protected throughout the migration process. Whether deploying on-premises, in the cloud, or in hybrid environments, Bold Reports adapts to your infrastructure needs

Migrating from Crystal Reports to RDL doesn’t need to be overwhelming. With Bold Reports, you not only replicate your old reports, you upgrade them for the modern, web-based world of reporting. Choose Bold Reports® today by signing up for a 30-day free trial or requesting a free demo to enhance your reporting capabilities. We provide an onboarding guide for new users. Get started now!