This is a bit tricky because you do need to use the cross-tab. Yes, it is restrictive, but I don't know what problems you are having, so I can't comment on that.

Crystal can't reference specific elements of the recordset. However, to simulate a cross-tab you could insert a Detail section to give you two sections. Then position the field in a different column for each section. Put a Suppress conditional formula on each Detail section which checks to see if it is this year or last year and suppress the appropriate section.

Unfortunately, since you are a newbie, I'm not sure how much of this makes sense. Creating multiple Detail sections and using the conditional formatting is a bit intermediate. But if you've used RS then you are probably used to manipulating report objects and sections. Let me know.

Why did you move from RS to CR?

Read the chapters I have online for free. Chapter 4 covers record selection filters and Chapter 10 explains cross-tabs. There is a lot of material that will explain CR XI and how to do this.

http://www.crystalreportsbook.com/CrystalReportsXI.asp

I'm not sure how to handle it myself. I would need the data to play with it. I would create a group on the outside field and then disable the interier subtotals. CR lets turn subtotals on and off for different areas.