MySQL reporting tools?

ruski

Other than writing php scripts, are there any good php based reporting tool for a user to get data out of their MySQL databases? I'm looking for something that will let me format reports with sub totals and easily change column headings.

ruski

TheIceman5

phpmyadmin der.

tomhath

At my day job we use two different reporting tools:

Crystal Reports: makes very nice looking reports. But it's not for casual users (you need to understand SQL and have some programming skill).

Excel: once a programmer dumps the data onto a spreadsheet, almost anyone can manipulate it to the their heart's content. Users really like it because they can save, print, make their own macros, etc.

Given the choice, I'd go with spreadsheets.

mysql_geek

Ruski,

Try www.qlrmanager.com. They have a product that does exactly what you're looking for. You can also save your queries and report formats and easily retrieve and run them. It's pretty sweet. It only works with mysql at the moment, but I e-mailed them and they are working on support for other DBs.

ruski

mysql_geek,

does this tool at qlrmanager.com allow me to e mail reports directly to other people?

ruski

tomhath,

As moderator, you probably have a lot of experience with the reporting tool you mentioned. I took a look at www.qlrmanager.com (there is a live demo) per mysql_geek's suggestion. I'm wondering what your opionion of it is compared to Crystal reports for ease of use and function.

Thanks.

ruski

mysql_geek

Ruski,

After you've run a report you'll see a little icon to the right of the report tab in the header. This launches a popup that allows you to e-mail the report. In addition, you can download the report as XML or a comma separated value (CSV) file.

tomhath

QRL looks pretty good for the price. Crystal has a graphical development environment more like an IDE, but it costs at least ten times as much. You can export the reports to many formats (rtf, pdf, spreadsheet, etc).

It's tempting to look at the sales demos for reporting tools and only see the eye candy, but sooner or later it all gets down to writing SQL.

My vote would still be for dumping the data onto a spreadsheet.

ruski

tomhath,

You're dead-on on the two points that you made:

No matter what, it boils down to knowing SQL
For total control over data manipulation, dump the data to a spreadsheet.

Here's my situation. I support a small user group with basic SQL skills. I've downloaded the QLR Manager and plan on installing it for our use.

For the simple queries and reports, my users can write/save the queries and layouts in the tool. I can write/save then share the more complex queries and layouts for my users to access.

When my users need to get the data to a spreadsheet to manipuluate it, the QLR manager has a CSV output function, which is relatively easy for them to do.

Thanks for your comparison vs Crystal reports (which I haven't used). It sounds like at 1/10th the price, the qlrmanager should work just fine.

ruski

mysql_geek

Ruski,

I'm not familiar with Crystal reports either, but it sounds like there is a client installation. With qlr manager, using a browser interface, your users can access it from anywhere.