What to expect when using the QODBC Driver with Crystal Reports
Your QuickBooks Company File (.qbw) is a flat file database. Having an ODBC driver will not change it to a relational database. For this reason, relating more than several tables will begin to severely degrade performance as there are no native indexes.

QODBC acts as a 'wrapper' around the Quicken qbXML SDK so customers can finally get at their data using standard database tools like Crystal Reports; without having to learn the SDK. For Crystal Reports this is the only method of retrieving QuickBooks data.

When designing your reports:

	Use filters; in particular date ranges whenever possible.
	When grouping by a table field, use a formula to put the field within it; this allows Crystal to do the grouping in memory, rather than the driver; will be much faster.
	Use only the fields you need when using sp_reports.
	Use VB Demo to find out which fields you need.
	Use sp_report (see QODBC sp_report) to use the QuickBooks report engine that already “relates” the tables. You can relate an sp_report and a table to get a variety of results.
	Expecting QODBC to operate similarly to other relational based ODBC drivers will cause some frustration because Quicken exposes its data only via XML. You will have to think around the box, but your efforts will be rewarded.
	Using an outer join for tables is not supported from within Crystal; however creating an outer join with the correct syntax: FROM {oj 'table' 'table' LEFT OUTER JOIN ' table2' 'Table2' ON 'Table'.'TxnID'='Table2'.'TxnTxnID'} within the Command option works ok.
	Creating an outer join for an sp_report oj to a table is not supported within a manual SQL statement. However it IS supported within Crystal Reports by visually linking the Command option and the table.

Using QODBC within Crystal Reports is more art than science. We have produced a variety of custom reports and forms for clients that are nothing short of amazing. If time and learning curve are important factors, we may be able tweak one for you. 

Create a New Report via Wizard or Manual Methods:

Expand the “Create New Connection” Folder:



Expand the ODBC (RDO) Folder to bring up the following screen:

Select “QuickBooksData.dsn” and Click “Next”, then click “Finish” on this screen:

A list of QuickBooks tables now appears ready for selection:

Select several tables for your report (for sp_reports or manual SQL statements, see below):

Link your tables: (For further linking information see Data Schema)

The table fields are now available for selection in your report. Run reports as normal from this point.

Creating a Report with SQL or an existing QuickBooks Report
For sp_reports (see QODBC sp_report) or manual SQL statements, Highlight “Add Command” and move the right panel.

The following window will appear. Type or paste your SQL statement or sp_report command as shown, then click “OK”

Your SQL statement is now entered; (to edit, just right click on “Command”). Click “OK”

The fields as specified in your SQL statement, are now available for selection in your report.