Reports for WinForms | ComponentOne
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    Build customized reviews and reports using Reports for WinForms and take advantage of the many features of the C1Report and C1PrintDocument components, and many visual previewing controls, including:

    C1Report Features

    The C1Report control's features include the following:

    • Report Designer Application
      Quickly create, edit, preview, load, and save report definition files without writing a single line of code. The familiar Microsoft Access-like user interface of the C1ReportDesigner application yields fast adaptation.
    • C1Report Wizard
      You don't have to be an expert to create reports using the C1Report Wizard. Effortlessly create a new report from start to finish in five easy steps. Select the data source, report fields, and layout of your report with the C1Report Wizard guiding you through each step.
    • Banded Report Model
      Reports use a banded report model based on groups, sections, and fields. The banded report model allows for a highly-organized report layout.
    • 30+ Built-in Report Templates
      The enhanced report designer application now includes 34 report templates. Simply select a report theme in the C1Report Wizard and you get a professionally styled report. No coding required - your colorful report is just a click away!
    • Microsoft Access and Crystal Reports Compatibility
      Reports support features found in Microsoft Access and Crystal Reports. You can import Access report files (MDB) and Crystal report files (RPT) using the C1ReportDesigner with the click of a button.
    • Flexible Data Binding
      Specify a connection string and an SQL statement in your report definition and Reports will load the data automatically for you. Optionally, use XML files, custom collections, and other data sources.
    • Parameters for Adding/Limiting Data
      Reports may contain parameterized queries, allowing users to customize the report by adding/limiting the data that should be included in the report before it is rendered. Specify a value for a report field, filter data, control sorting and grouping, and more. Display only necessary data using report parameters.
    • Combine Several Reports Into One
      Reports may contain nested reports to arbitrary levels (subreports). You can use the main report to show detailed information and use subreports to show summary data at the beginning of each group.
    • VBScript Expression
      Reports may include embedded VBScript event handlers, making them self-contained. Format fields according to value, update a page count, hide a section without data, and more when the report is rendered. Use VBScript expressions to retrieve, calculate, display, group, filter, sort, parameterize, and format the contents of a report, including extensions for aggregate expressions (sum, max, average, and more).
    • VBScript Editor
      Write global scripts in VBScript Editor and take full advantage of syntax check and IntelliSense that make the scripting experience intuitive. Use split window mode of VBScript Editor to write two scripts for two different fields simultaneously in the report.
    • Chart Field
      Embed charts into your reports to graphically display numerical data. The Report's Chart field is implemented using the C1Chart control and can display multiple series of data. The supported chart types include Bar, Area, Scatter, Pie, Line, Column, Radar, Polar, Step, and Histogram.
    • Aggregated Charting
      Create charts that automatically aggregate data values (ValueY) that have the same category (ValueX) using an aggregate function of your choice. The chart field's Aggregate property tells the chart how to aggregate values with the same category into a single point in the chart. It can be set to perform any of the common aggregation functions on the data: sum, average, count, maximum, minimum, standard deviation, and variance.
    • Barcode Field
      The barcode field in C1Report offers 38 barcodes to choose from. The properties available for rendering the barcodes can be used to obtain customized barcodes. The FNC1 characters are also supported in some barcodes.
    • Export Formats
      Render your reports directly to a printer or preview control or export your reports to various portable formats: Excel (XLS, XLSX), PDF, PDF/A (level 2B), HTML, Rich Text and Compressed Metafiles.
    • Automated Reports
      Automate reports using the C1ReportsScheduler, a stand-alone application used to schedule report creation to run in the background. Using the C1ReportsScheduler application, you can choose what reports to export or print, formats to export the report to, and the schedule and frequency for creating reports.

    C1PrintDocument Features

    The C1PrintDocument component's features include the following:

    • Powerful Document Oriented Object Model
      The C1PrintDocument component provides a flexible hierarchical document object model with powerful automatic layout, formatting, and pagination control features so there's no need to manually calculate the layout, insert page breaks, and so on.

    • Rich Formatting Options
      Control the look of your document with support for paragraphs of text with multiple fonts, text and background colors, text positioning (subscript, superscript), inline images, various text alignment (including justified text), and more.

    • Powerful Table Layouts
      Use the C1PrintDocument tables to layout elements in your documents. Apply styles to tables, modify row and column headers, and more. Tables support an Excel-like object model, with a logically infinite number of columns and rows. Simply accessing a table element instantiates it, so you never have to worry about specifying the correct table size.

    • Flexible Sizing and Positioning of Elements
      Document element size and position can be specified as absolute values, relative to other elements sizes and positions, or as simple expressions combining absolute and relative values. For example, specify the width of an element as a percentage of the parent element or of the current page width.

    • Automatically Generate TOC and Word Index
      C1PrintDocument supports automated generation of Table of Contents (TOC) and alphabetical word index. Depending on your output format, links in both the TOC and index are clickable and take the user to the referenced page.

    • Add Hyperlinks
      Make documents interactive by adding hyperlinks, link targets, and more. Any document element can be a hyperlink, or a hyperlink jump target.

    • Data Binding Support
      Documents can be completely created in code, or bound to a database via a powerful and flexible data binding model.

    • Import Report Definitions
      Combine C1PrintDocument with the powerful C1Report component, which exposes a rich object model for creating, customizing, loading, and saving report definitions. You can quickly import and generate report definitions with the C1PrintDocument component.

    • SQL Server Reporting Services
      Report Definition Language (RDL) is the reporting scheme commonly used in SQL Server Reporting Services. C1PrintDocument allows you to import an SSRS definition file (.rdl). The result is a data bound document representation of the imported report.

    • Export Formats
      Multiple export format options make saving and sharing documents easy. Export your documents to Adobe Portable Document Format (PDF), Excel (XLS and XLSX), Word (RTF and DOCX), HTML, and several image formats.

    • Create Adobe Acroforms
      Documents can include interactive forms (to be filled out by the end user). Add text boxes, list boxes, drop-down lists, check, radio and push buttons to C1PrintDocument. These controls become interactive when viewed inside C1PrintPreviewControl (see Print Preview). You can also export these documents to Adobe Acroforms.

    • Control Exported PDF Display
      You can control how an exported PDF file is displayed in Adobe Acrobat. For example, set the how pages are viewed (for instance, one page at a time or two pages in columns) and the visibility of various elements (that is, if thumbnail images or a document outline view is visible).

    • C1DX File Format for Smaller File Sizes
      A new OPC-based file format for C1PrintDocument objects, C1D OpenXML (C1DX) complies with Microsoft Open Packaging Conventions and is similar to the Microsoft Office 2007 OpenXML format. Due to built-in compression, resulting files are smaller in size. The current Preview for WinForms C1D format is also fully supported for backwards compatibility.

    • Multiple Page Layouts
      Several page layouts accommodating different paper sizes, page settings, number of columns, page headers, and so on can be predefined and selected at run time by setting a single property.

    • Combine Multiple Large Documents
      Use C1MultiDocument to combine multiple C1PrintDocuments which will be rendered as a whole continuous document with shared page numbering, a common TOC, word index, page count and inter-document hyperlinks. This allows you to create and export very large documents that cannot be handled by a single C1PrintDocument object due to memory limitations.

    • Hierarchical Styles
      Hierarchical styles control the look of all document elements, with intelligent support for ambient and non-ambient style attributes. Specify individual font attributes (such as boldness or font size), table grid lines, and more.

    • GDI+ Text Rendering
      By setting one property you can render text using the GDI+ text API - with GDI+ text rendering, text looks similar to text in Microsoft Office 2007 and matches the default text layout in XPS.

    • Embed True Type Fonts
      Embed fonts to guarantee text is rendered correctly on any system - even if the fonts used are not installed on the system used to preview or print the document.

    • Dictionary Support
      Store resources (such as images used throughout the document) in the document dictionary to save space and time.

    Print Preview Features

    The Reports for WinForms visual previewing controls' features include the following:

    • Full-Featured Preview Controls
      Integrated C1PrintPreviewControl and C1PrintPreviewDialog controls provide a ready-to-use full-featured UI with thumbnail and outline views, text search, and predefined toolbars right out of the box.
    • Preview Reports
      Easily integrate Reports with Reports for WinForms to add previewing, formatting, printing and exporting functionality to your reports. Just set the Document property on the C1PrintPreviewControl or C1PreviewPane to your reporting control and you are finished.
    • Preview SSRS Reports
      A new component called the C1SsrsDocumentSource allows you to preview SSRS reports in the C1PrintPreviewControl.
    • PrintDocument Compatibility
      In addition to the Reporting controls, Reports supports the standard .NET PrintDocument component, and can even export to a number of external formats (such as PDF). So you can easily upgrade your applications with minimal effort.
    • Thumbnail Views
      Reports includes built-in thumbnail views of all pages within any rendered document. The thumbnail view allows quick navigation to any page. Thumbnails are generated on the fly as pages are created so you instantly get thumbnails even if all pages have not finished rendering. Use the separate C1PreviewThumbnailView control and attach it to a C1PreviewPane, or just use the all-inclusive C1PrintPreviewControl to display automatic thumbnail views.
    • Interactive Document Reflow
      End-users can interactively change the document (for example change page margins or orientation) at run time and the document will automatically reflow to accommodate the changes.
    • Text Search
      Perform text searching at run-time without any additional coding. The C1PrintPreviewControl includes a built-in text search panel. Search results include page numbers and link to found locations.
    • Several Built-in Toolbar Sets
      Choose from several preset toolbar image collections, or choose your own. The C1PrintPreviewControl includes themes to match Adobe, XP, Classic Windows, and the Mac operating system.
    • Zooming Tools
      Reports supports many different zooming options that you would find in Microsoft Word. Predefined views include: actual size, page width, text width and whole page. You can also use percentages to define a specific zoom value. The C1PrintPreviewControl also has a zoom-in and zoom-out tool which allows the user to specify where on the page to zoom in or out.
    • C1PrintDocument Feature Support
      All preview controls fully support the C1PrintDocument component's features such as hyperlinks and outlines.
    • Code-free Development
      Reports includes extensive design-time support, including ComponentOne SmartDesignertechnology with floating toolbars, allowing you to easily customize your preview window without writing code.
    • Flexible Modular Design
      Use the separate, specialized controls (preview pane, thumbnail and outline views, text search panel) to customize your document view. Combine Reports controls with other Studio for WinForms controls such as Ribbon for WinForms to create a custom preview window that fits any UI.
    • Localization
      Create localized versions of all end-user visible strings for different cultures at design time and switch between languages at run time.
       

    C1ReportDesigner Application Features

    The C1ReportDesigner application's features include the following:

    • Easily Accessible
      While the C1ReportDesigner is a stand-alone application, you can easily launch and navigate to it from within Visual Studio. Just select Edit Report on the C1Report component's smart tag and it will open up the C1ReportDesigner application.
    • Create New Reports
      Use the C1Report Wizard to quickly and easily create a new report. To create a report, simply:
      1. Select the data source for the new report
      2. Select the fields you want to include in the report
      3. Set the layout, style and title for the new report
    • Import Existing Reports
      The ability to take your existing reports and turn them into Reports is one of the most powerful features of the C1ReportDesigner. Import your existing report definitions from Microsoft Access files (.mdb and .adp) or Crystal Reports (.rpt).
    • Design and Modify Reports
      The Access-style WYSIWYG design surface makes designing reports easy and intuitive. Drag and drop report fields from the toolbar onto the report's design surface. Banded regions mark each area of the report such as header, body and footer. Set all field related properties directly in the application itself. You can even write custom VBScript code from the Properties window.
    • Export Reports
      Directly export a report to any of the supported file formats: HTML, PDF, RTF, XLS, XLSX, TIF, TXT or ZIP.
    • Save and Distribute Report Definitions
      Once you have created or imported a report you can save it out to an XML-based report definition file. Package the definition files with the C1Report component in your published applications to distribute the reports to your end-users. To distribute or customize the C1ReportDesigner application itself, you must use the Reports for .NET Designer Edition.

    C1ReportsScheduler Features

    The C1ReportsScheduler application's features include the following:

    • Generate and Export Reports
      The C1ReportsScheduler is a stand-alone scheduling application that is included with Reports for WinForms. It is designed to generate and export Reports in the background on set schedules.
    • Run in Background or Control Schedules
      The C1ReportsScheduler application consists of two interacting parts: a front-end and a Windows service. The Windows service runs in the background, executing specified tasks according to their schedules. The front-end can be used to view or edit the task list, start or stop schedules, and control the service. While the front-end is used to install and setup the service, it is not needed for the service to run.
    • Export to Various Formats
      Reports can be exported to many formats including: PDF, Rich Text, Open XML Word, Excel, HTML, Metafile, images and more.
    • Schedule Reporting Output in 4 Easy Steps
      To schedule reporting, you would simply need to complete the following:
      1. Select any number of C1Report definition files (.xml) from your machine.
      2. Choose any number of actions such as export or print for each report in the Task Actions pane.
      3. Set a one-time or recurring schedule for each report.
      4. Press Start to initiate the background service. Your reports will be generated in the specified outputs at the scheduled times.
    • Full Source Included
      You can ship the pre-built application and service to your end-users "as-is," or modify the UI and functionality to fit your needs. We provide complete source code for the C1ReportsScheduler as a sample.
    • C1ReportsScheduler Windows Service
      The C1ReportsScheduler Windows service is provided so reports can be generated at any scheduled time because the front-end application will not always be running. The service can be easily installed and uninstalled on your machine through the front-end application. When the C1ReportsScheduler is run for the first time, a dialog pops up asking whether you would like to install the service. The service does not need to be installed if the front-end application is to remain running.

    C1MultiDocument Features

    The C1MultiDocument component's features include the following:

    • Handle Large Documents
      C1MultiDocument can handle large documents that would be otherwise impossible to create/export/print due to memory limitations.
    • Combine Multiple Documents
      Use of compression and temporary disk storage allows C1MultiDocument to combine several C1PrintDocument objects into a large multi-document that would cause an out of memory condition if all pages belonged to a single C1PrintDocument.

    C1RdlReport Features

    The C1RdlReport component's features include the following:

    • Exposes Full RDL Object Model
      The C1RdlReport component exposes the full RDL object model following the latest RDL 2008 specification. This allows you to modify existing reports or even create new RDL reports completely in code. This is not possible through Microsoft Reporting Services alone.
    • Generate RDL Reports from any Data Source
      You are not constrained to using SQL Server data as your data source. C1RdlReport can generate RDL reports using any data source, such as an Access database.
    • No External Dependencies
      C1RdlReport provides a self-contained RDL reporting solution without external dependencies such as the need for a Microsoft Reporting Services server.
    • Seamless Integration with C1Reports
      C1RdlReport provides seamless integration with the entire Reports suite. Use C1RdlReport with C1PrintPreviewControl to provide previewing, formatting, printing and exporting functionality for your reports.
    • Support for RDL Objects and Properties
      C1RdlReport supports most of the common Microsoft reporting features such as subreports, parameters, hyperlinks, charts, shapes, images, text boxes and more.

    C1ReportDesigner Control Features

    The C1ReportDesigner control's features include the following:

    • Closely Integrate the Designer Into Your Application
      Writing your own customized report designer allows you to integrate the designer tightly into your application, rather than running a separate application. You can customize the data sources available to the end-user, or the types of fields that can be added to the report. For example, you may want to use custom data source objects defined by your application.
    • Supply Custom Stock Report Definitions to End-users
      With your own customized report designer you can provide a menu of stock report definitions that make sense in the scope of your application. It allows end-users to customize some aspects of each stock report, similar to the printing options in Microsoft Outlook.
    • Royalty-free Run-time Distribution
      Developers can now enjoy royalty-free run-time distribution of the C1ReportDesigner application for flexible application deployment to an unlimited number of clients. Developers can easily create, customize, and deploy powerful and integrated reporting solutions including end-user report designers, and distribute them without royalty-fee restrictions.
    • Full Source Code for the C1ReportDesigner Application
      The designer edition ships with full source code for the C1ReportDesigner application included in Reports for .WinForms Designer Edition. Full source code allows developers to customize the designer application or even integrate it within their own applications.
    • Easy-to-use C1ReportDesigner Component
      The C1ReportDesigner component displays reports in design mode, and allows users to drag, copy, and resize report fields and sections. The component also provides an unlimited undo/redo stack and a selection mechanism designed for use with the PropertyGrid control that ships with Microsoft Visual Studio.