Crystal in its evolution has changed the REPORT file FORMAT several times. In most cases the file format is FORWARD-compatible. By this I mean a file CREATED in Crystal 6 can be opened in Crystal 6 or higher. When the file format changes were major the format is not BACKWARD compatible. By this I mean a file created in CR 9 cannot be opened in CR 8 or before. Crystal changed the report file format with CR 8 and CR 9. The CR 9 change was because of the introduction of Unicode SUPPORT. CR 8 has the ability to save a file in CR 7 format. Because of the support for Unicode CR 9, 10, and XI cannot save the file in PREVIOUS formats.

Crystal in its evolution has changed the report file format several times. In most cases the file format is FORWARD-compatible. By this I mean a file created in Crystal 6 can be opened in Crystal 6 or higher. When the file format changes were major the format is not BACKWARD compatible. By this I mean a file created in CR 9 cannot be opened in CR 8 or before. Crystal changed the report file format with CR 8 and CR 9. The CR 9 change was because of the introduction of Unicode support. CR 8 has the ability to save a file in CR 7 format. Because of the support for Unicode CR 9, 10, and XI cannot save the file in previous formats.