What are my Reporting options?

[littleisharp]

Hi

 

My app pulls Excel and Access data into a datatable for displaying in a (Infragistics) datagrid. I provide functionality for pivoting, grouping and sorting the data on any column, and re-displaying it in the grid.

 

My application doesn't know the format of the data it pulls in - it doesn't know the column names etc or anything about the datasource. the data is loaded in dynamically at run-time.

 

I need to output the grid contents to a simple report. On this report, I must be able to configure:

- multi-line header and footers

- the display format of the data from the table (coloumn widths, grid lines etc)

- possibly insert a jpg picture at the top.

 

What are my options?

 

I have the resources to buy Crystal or some such tool, but don't want something heavier and larger than my needs. And remember the data is dynamic - it might be difficult to create and configure a crystal report on the fly(?).

 

My users all have Excel on their machines - so maybe I could use the Excel Object Model to create a report in Excel?

 

Any ideas anyone?

 

Thanks in advance

 

little

[iebidan]

Well, I don't know what're your best options, but i can tell you, don't use Crystal Reports, I know too many people that is using or used CR and me, and the only thing we get from CR are problems, not worth the effort. Try something like XML with XSL or maybe create your own report using ReportDocument.

[Robby]

I like CR for its ease of use, but yes there are some growing pains involved for large scale applications. I have used ExcelWriter from SoftArtisans ( http://officewriter.softartisans.com/officewriter-37.aspx ), they have some great products.