Are there solutions available for allowing users to define report layouts within a WinForms app? We are playing with xml, xslt, and Word have some ok results, but are wondering if there are better options.
We would like to:
use visual studio to create the report. Assuming that you're using a reportviewer component, you can add report definition files to your project (.rdlc) and the IDE provides a GUI for you to edit the reports.
Our Data Dynamics Reports product includes a End User Designer Control for Windows Forms that you can drag & Drop onto a Windows Forms and provide a full-featured report designer to your end users. Visit the Data Dynamics Reports Product Page, select the Features tab and look at the heading "Designer control" near the bottom of the features page.
Although not the main focus of this screencast, it does show a bit about the End User Designer control.
Finally, if you download the free evaluation (click Download the main product page) select Sample Gallery from the Start Menu (under Data Dynamics). The Sample Gallery form that pops up is a detailed demonstration of using our End User Designer control.
Scott Willeke
Data Dynamics / GrapeCity
Devexpress XtraReports Suite allows you to launch or host the report designer in your application so that end users can edit reports.
http://www.devexpress.com/products/net/reporting/
http://tv.devexpress.com/#ReportDesignerOverview.movie
http://documentation.devexpress.com/#XtraReports/CustomDocument3301
ComponentOne Reports offers the same thing:
http://www.componentone.com/superproducts/reportswinforms/
http://www.componentone.com/SuperProducts/ReportsWinForms/Report+Designer/
I have not utilized these tools but know they exist. There are probably others if you search around for "end user report designer."
Additionally, if you are using SQL Server Reporting Services, I believe there is a ReportDesigner.exe that allows users to design reports without the use of Visual Studio, but it does not integrate into your application.