Embed SQL Password into Crystal Reports RPT file

I don't think there is a way to do what you are asking in the CR designer, since within the connection are your objects included in the report. No connection, no objects (as you've already discovered).

We use CR7 and CRXI in a production environment for software that is distributed to thousands of clients. All reports are developed using a private data location that is not accessible from the outside world. Even if someone managed to gain access, their efforts would be fruitless since no sensitive data is contained within the dev server. Credentials to production environments should never be kept with a report file unless that report file is used ONLY for that environment and nobody else's.

At the very least I would advocate creating another instance of the DB server if having another dev machine isn't possible, that way at least your log-on credentials do not point to a production environment. I've never personally had to do this, so if you decide to go this route and need help I suggest asking the folks over at ServerFault.

Its easy. Right click on the database fields in your field explorer. Click on 'Set datasource location' And then you will see two sections in a dialog. "Current datasource" and "replace with". In the current datasource - select the object you want to replace. Then in the "Replace with" section click on "create new connection">"OLE DB">Connect to the database object that you want by supplying driver and credential information.

Then click the 'update' button on the right side. That's it! You're done. Though the object name might not seem to change in the 'current datasource' section, still if u click on the (+) sign next to the object, the source name will show the new OLEDB object that you used