SAP Knowledge Base Article - Public

3062865 - Large file size when exporting a report that contains a chart to PDF format from Crystal Reports

Symptom

  • Large PDF file.
  • Exporting a report with charts to PDF generates a large file.
  • When exporting a report that contains charts to PDF format, Crystal Reports generates a large PDF file.

Environment

  • SAP Crystal Reports 2013
  • SAP Crystal Reports 2016
  • SAP Crystal Reports 2020 

Reproducing the Issue

  1. In Crystal Reports, open a report that contains charts.
  2. Export the report to PDF format.
  3. Notice the PDF file size is larger than expected. 

Cause

  • The charts on the report are formatted to use gradient color, which requires more PDF tags, and therefore generates a larger PDF file.   

Resolution

  • To reduce the file size when exporting a report to PDF, format the chart to use solid color:
      
    1. In Crystal Reports, open the report.
        
    2. Depending on the chart type, perform the following step:
      • For a bar Bar chart, right click on a bar, and select "Format Series Riser..."
      • For an Area chart, right click on an area, and select "Format Series Riser..."
      • For a Pie chart, right click on Pie Slice, and select "Format Pie Slice..."
         
    3. Click on the drop-down button for the option: "Foreground Color"
        
         Chart Formatting - 01.png

    4. Select a solid color.
        
         Chart Formatting - 02.png

    5. Click "OK"

    6. Repeat the above steps to format each bar, area, or pie slice of the chart, to a solid color.
        
    7. Save the report.

Keywords

CR, PDF, xport , KBA , BI-RA-CR , Crystal Reports designer or Business View Manager , Problem

Product

SAP Crystal Reports 2013 ; SAP Crystal Reports 2016 ; SAP Crystal Reports 2020