FlexReportDesigner is a stand-alone application for designing FlexReport, similar to the report designer in Microsoft Access. The default location of the designer is C:\Program Files (x86)\ComponentOne\Apps\v4.5.2.

There are two designer applications:

• C1FlexReportDesigner.4.5.2.exe targets 'Any CPU' so the application runs in 64 bit mode on 64 bit systems and in 32 bit mode on 32 bit systems. This application does not support the use of 32 bit only data providers such as Microsoft.Jet.OLEDB.4.0.
• C1FlexReportDesigner32.4.5.2.exe targets x86 that allows using 32 bit only data providers such as Microsoft.Jet.OLEDB.4.0.

The FlexReportDesigner helps you create a basic report definition file, and modify, print, and export the report definition. You will learn in detail about the FlexReportDesigner application from the sub-topics.

Key Features

The key features of FlexReportDesigner are as follows:

• Fluent ribbon-style toolbar: The FlexReportDesigner application comes with a fluent ribbon-style toolbar. The report designer application also provides a simplified view when the designer ribbon is collapsed.
• Collapse or expand sections: The FlexReport application empowers users to expand or collapse the sections and sub-sections contained within them by clicking expand or collapse glyphs.
• Design and preview modes: FlexReportDesigner provides two modes, 'Design' mode and 'Preview' mode. The Design mode provides shortcuts to the Edit, Text, Data etc. menu functions to design the report. The Preview mode allows you to preview the report in different page layouts, outline and thumbnail views, and diverse exporting options.
• Captions settings: FlexReportDesigner provides Captions settings for optionally displaying Sections or Sub-sections' header strips.
• Chart editors: The designer provides chart editors at design time to set the Chart Field's properties, data source, and visual effects.
• List data-sources easily: FlexReportDesigner features a Data tab to add, edit and remove Data Sources, Parameters, Sort Expressions, and Calculated Fields.
• Edit expressions: The designer provides the 'Edit Expression' option in context menu to edit expressions.
• Display error list: FlexReportDesigner provides the list of errors, their severity and count generated when importing or previewing a report.
• Customize Quick Access Toolbar: The FlexReportDesigner provides you with a Quick Access Toolbar which enables you to perform operations such as cut, copy, paste, and much more.