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Adding a Report in TERA

Register a Crystal Reports .rpt file in the Report Library so you can run it on demand and attach it to schedules. This article covers setup, metadata discovery, parameter defaults, and a first manual run.

Before you start​

  • Initial setup is done: service connected, license active, and at least one Database connection saved.
  • You know the full path to a working .rpt file on this machine (or a path the Windows Service account can read).
  • You have a folder where exports can be written (default output folder).
  • For Vista-aware parameters, know which Vista Report ID matches this .rpt (searchable in TERA after you pick a database connection).

Open Report Library​

  1. In the left sidebar, select Report Library.
  2. Select Add Report in the top bar.

Expected outcome: The report form opens with tabs Setup, Parameters, and Fields.

Report Library empty or populated list with Add Report action in the top bar

Add Report form showing Setup, Parameters, and Fields tabs

Step 1: Fill in Setup and save​

On the Setup tab:

  1. Enter a Name (what you will see in Schedules and Scheduler Center).
  2. Set .rpt file path — type the path or use Browse and pick the Crystal report file.
  3. Set Default output folder — required before you can run from the library. Use Browse to pick a folder.
  4. Choose a Database connection (the SQL connection from Settings → Database).
  5. Choose a Report ID when available — TERA looks up Vista report catalog entries for the selected database connection. Linking Report ID improves parameter defaults and lookups.
  6. Optionally add a Description.
  7. Select Add Report to save.

Expected outcome: The report is saved. The primary button changes to Save Changes, and Discover Metadata / Execute become available.

Setup tab with Name, .rpt file path, Default output folder, Database connection, Report ID, and Add Report

Report ID searchable dropdown populated from the selected Vista database connection

Why save before discovering metadata?​

Parameters, formulas, and groups are discovered from the saved report definition. Until you save on Setup, the Parameters and Fields tabs tell you to save first.

Step 2: Discover Metadata​

  1. Stay on the report form (or open the report with Details from the library card).
  2. Select Discover Metadata.
  3. Wait for the success message listing how many parameters, formulas, and groups were discovered.

Expected outcome: Parameters appear on the Parameters tab. Formulas and groups appear on the Fields tab (read-only; useful later as email template variables).

Discover Metadata button on the report form button row

Success message showing discovered parameter, formula, and group counts

Step 3: Review parameter defaults​

  1. Open the Parameters tab.
  2. Review each parameter default. Defaults apply to manual runs; schedules can override them later.
  3. Where Vista lookups are available, use the lookup picker instead of typing raw values.
  4. Use reset on a parameter when you want to restore the computed/default value.
  5. Select Save Changes if you edited defaults.

Expected outcome: Parameter defaults look correct for a typical manual run of this report.

Parameters tab listing discovered parameters with default value fields

Parameter field with Vista lookup picker open

Step 4: (Optional) Review Fields​

  1. Open the Fields tab.
  2. Confirm formulas and groups loaded from the .rpt.

You do not edit these here. They become available as tokens when you configure email delivery on a schedule.

Fields tab showing Formulas and Groups lists from the .rpt file

Step 5: Run the report once​

Test from either place:

  • On the report form: Select Execute (requires a default output folder).
  • On the library card: Select Run Now.

Expected outcome: A success message with duration and output path, and a new entry under Run History / Scheduler Center → Recent Runs.

Report form with Execute button enabled after default output folder is set

Report library card showing Run Now, Details, and Delete actions

Success message after a manual report run including output file path

What good looks like in the library​

Each report card shows:

  • Report file — .rpt file name
  • Output — default folder name, or “Uses app default” if blank
  • Vista report ID — linked ID, or “Not linked”

Report library card showing Report file, Output, and Vista report ID metadata

Common mistakes​

  • Trying to discover before saving — Save on Setup first, then Discover Metadata.
  • No default output folder — Run Now / Execute stay disabled until you set one on Setup.
  • Database connection = None — Crystal login and Vista Report ID / parameter enrichment will not work as intended.
  • Skipping Report ID — You can still run many reports, but Vista defaults and lookups are weaker or missing.
  • Path the service cannot read — The Windows Service runs the report; the .rpt path and output folder must be reachable by that service account.
  • Deleting a report — Delete asks to remove the report and its schedules. Confirm carefully.

Next steps​

  • Adding a Schedule in TERA — Attach timing, output format, and delivery to this report.
  • Email Delivery in TERA — Use formulas/groups/parameters as email tokens.
  • Monitoring and Troubleshooting TERA — If Execute fails (Crystal runtime, SQL, permissions).