What .NET reporting tools are best for dynamic report generation?
- by bvanderw
Perhaps I need to define "dynamic generation". By this I mean using graphics primitives to draw on the page (such as DrawText or DrawLine, etc) This is what System.Drawing.Printing provides.
I often need to create forms and reports for Windows applications that either require dynamic generation or where I need control over the formatting that stretches or goes beyond the capabilities of most report designers. Essentially, I need to ability to create my own pages using graphics primitives like you can do with System.Drawing.Printing that are part of package that also provides a report designer, exporting to PDF, etc.
In my Delphi days, I used Rave Reports (along with the exporting add-ons from Gnostice) because it was the only Delphi reporting tool that gave you that kind of fine control.
I've been struggling with the reporting tools provided by Developer Express and I have given up trying to make them do what I need to do. I downloaded a trial of ActiveReports and was able to completely create one of my dynamic reports (using their Page class) in a few hours one afternoon. It's likely I will buy their product, but it's a bit frustrating to have to do so after investing in the Developer Express tools.
Before I do so, are there any other products that offer this functionality that I should investigate? As far as I can tell, Crystal Reports does not - is this correct?
Thanks....
--Bruce
