SAP Knowledge Base Article - Public

2772019 - Error: 'Only static instances of reports based on Universes can be viewed.' when opening a report in Crystal Reports Viewer

Symptom

  • Unable to view a report in Crystal Reports Viewer.
  • Able to open the same report based off a Universe with saved data in Crystal Reports.
  • When attempting to open a report based off a Universe in Crystal Reports Viewer, it displays the message: 
          
        "Only static instances of reports based on Universes can be viewed.
             
         In order to view this report it must be either set to a different data source
         or scheduled to be saved with no view-time security on saved data. To
         change the report data source please open it in the Crystal Reports
         designer application and use the "Set Data Source Location..." operation." 
      
            
        Crystal Reports Viewer - Universe - 01.png

Environment

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

Reproducing the Issue

  1. In Crystal Reports, create a report based off a Universe.
  2. Save the report with data on your computer, or save the report to the SAP BusinessObjects Business Intelligence Platform.
  3. In Crystal Reports Viewer, when attempting to open the report, it displays the message:
       
       "Only static instances of reports based on Universes can be viewed."
        
    How to view the report based off a  Universe with saved data?

Cause

  • For security reasons, report based off a Universe cannot be viewed in Crystal Reports Viewer, unless you disconnect the Universe security. 

Resolution

  • The be able to open a report based off a Universe in Crystal Reports Viewer,  set the option "Generate Static Instances for Scheduling" in the Central Management Console, then schedule the report. You will then be able to open the report instance generated by the schedule, in Crystal Reports Viewer.
      
  • To check the option "Generate Static Instances for Scheduling":
       
    1. Logon to the Central Management Console (CMC)
         
    2. Navigate to the report based off a Universe, right click on the report, and select "Properties"
         
    3. Under "Default Settings", select "Universes"
         
    4. Check the option "Generate Static Instances for Scheduling"
        
       Crystal Reports Viewer - Universe - 02.png 
        
         
    5. Click the "Save" button.
        
    6. Schedule the report.
         
    7. On the history of the report, view the scheduled instance of the report.
        
    8. Export the report to "Crystal Reports" format, and save the report to your computer, or network drive.
                
      You will then be able to open the report saved in Crystal Reports Viewer.

Keywords

  • CRV, CR, UNV report 
, KBA , BI-RA-CRV , SAP Crystal Reports Viewer , Problem

Product

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