# FlexReport Designer Options Get started with FlexReport, a WinForms control, which is a fast-paced reporting engine that enables you to create, preview, export and print modern and dynamic reports for all your applications. See more in documentation here. ## Content To access the **FlexReportDesigner Options** dialog box, click the **File** menu and then **Options**. The **FlexReportDesigner Options** dialog box includes five tabs to control the appearance and behavior of the application. The tabs and options available under each tab are: **General tab**: The **General** tab allows you to check or uncheck options related to property grid, report list, exporting, Legacy Field button etc. You can also select a built-in or custom theme. ![](https://cdn.mescius.io/document-site-files/images/96483bc4-d0db-40fa-a0e4-c5e6a4a56825/images/general-flexreportdesigner-options.png) The following list presents a summary of the different options and their usage in the **General** tab: * **Categorize property grid**: Categorizes the Properties grid by property type. The Properties grid can be accessed by clicking the **Properties** tab located in the bottom of the left pane in the Design view. The Categorize property grid option is checked in by default. * **Sort report list**: Sorts the list of reports listed on the **Reports** tab. Reports can be accessed by clicking the **Reports** tab located at the bottom of the left pane in the Design view. The Sort Report List option is checked in by default. * **Open file after exporting**: Allows files to be automatically opened after exporting. * **Show "Legacy Field" button on the INSERT tab**: Displays Legacy field on the Insert tab. * **Show "Legacy Chart" button on the INSERT tab**: Displays Legacy chart on the Insert tab. * **Theme**: Set a built-in or custom theme. **Design Pane tab**: The **Design Pane** tab allows you to select colors, and alter properties related to Grid, Snap and Padding in the FlexReportDesigner. ![](https://cdn.mescius.io/document-site-files/images/96483bc4-d0db-40fa-a0e4-c5e6a4a56825/images/designpane-flexreportdesigner-options.png) The following list presents a summary of the different options and their usage in the Design Pane tab: * **Show grid**: Shows the grid in the report preview window. * **Snap to grid**: Automatically snaps to the nearest grid line while moving a field in the report. * **Grid units**: Indicates how the grid is spaced. Options include **Automatic**, **English (in)**, **Metric (cm)**, and **Custom**. * **Grid spacing**: Sets the spacing of grid lines. This option is only available when the **Grid Units** option is set to **Custom**. * **Colors**: Sets the color for selected items, snap guides, field bounds, grid, rulers, design background, caption background, highlight etc. **Save/Load tab**: The Save/Load tab displays options related to saving and loading reports in the FlexReportDesigner. ![](https://cdn.mescius.io/document-site-files/images/96483bc4-d0db-40fa-a0e4-c5e6a4a56825/images/save-caption-reportdesigner.png) The following list presents a summary of the different options and their usage in the **Save/Load** tab: * **Reload last file on startup**: If this option is selected, the last opened file will appear whenever the **FlexReportDesigner** application is opened. * **Restore last editor state**: Selecting this option restores the previous editor state. * **Save changes before rendering**: Selecting this option saves the report before rendering. * **Embed images into Xml when saving**: Selecting this option embeds images into XML when the report is saved. * **Reset designer layout** Resets or quickly restores the designer layout to its default settings. **Data tab**: The **Data** tab consists of options for transaction isolation levels for newly-created reports. The default option is ReadCommitted. Learn more about transaction isolation levels [here](https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/sql/t-sql/language-elements/transaction-isolation-levels?view=sql-server-ver15). ![](https://cdn.mescius.io/document-site-files/images/96483bc4-d0db-40fa-a0e4-c5e6a4a56825/images/data-flexreportdesigner-options.png) **Script Editor**: The Script Editor tab provides options for syntax checking, syntax coloring and font. ![](https://cdn.mescius.io/document-site-files/images/96483bc4-d0db-40fa-a0e4-c5e6a4a56825/images/scripteditor-flexreportdesigner-options.png) The options are elaborated below: * **Auto syntax checking**: Determines if syntax is automatically checked in the **VBScript Editor** dialog box. * **Syntax coloring**: Determines if syntax text is automatically colored in the **VBScript Editor** dialog box. * **Font**: Defines the appearance of the text used in the **VBScript Editor** dialog box. **Warnings tab**: The **Warnings** tab comprises options for startup updates and Remote Access Server Application Program Interface (RAS API) warning. ![](https://cdn.mescius.io/document-site-files/images/96483bc4-d0db-40fa-a0e4-c5e6a4a56825/images/warnings-flexreportdesigner-options.png) The options are elaborated below: * **Check for updates on startup**: Selecting this option checks for any updates when the FlexReportDesigner application is opened. * **Import from Crystal Reports: warn if RAS API is unavailable**: Selecting this option throws warning if the RAS API is unavailable while importing Crystal Reports in **FlexReportDesigner**. In each of the above tabs, clicking **OK** saves the changes and clicking **Cancel** discards any changes that you have made in the **FlexReportDesigner Options** dialog box.