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Exporting to a "raw" format

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capsule
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capsule asked on 25 May 2010, 05:48 PM
Hello,

I was wondering if there was a "raw" or proprietary format you can export the report data to.  

Within our application, we can generate a report and the user can export to whatever format they would like to through the report viewer.  What I'd like to do is save off that report in a raw format that can later be used to re-generate the report through the viewer.  This will enable users who may not have adobe installed to save it in their own format.  It will also remain data independent, so that any user can see exactly what was printed.

Is this possible?

Thanks in advance,

Craig



PS.  Sorry for the duplicate post, the server said there was an error and to try again.  I did not see a way I could delete this post...

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Steve
Telerik team
answered on 26 May 2010, 05:05 PM
Hi Craig,

As you probably know, Telerik Reports are standard .NET classes and according to our best practices, we recommend that they are contained within a class library, which is referenced in the actual project that would show the reports (be it web or winforms) - this way the reports are compiled into a single assembly. Telerik Reporting is an embedded reporting engine and not a standalone report server and usually it is part of a Desktop or Web Application. Thus there is no way to "save" an actual report into a local raw file that can be latter re-used as a report in a manner similar to Crystal Reports.

Best wishes,
Steve
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capsule
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answered on 28 May 2010, 12:06 AM
Steve,

Perhaps I misunderstood your response, I'm not familiar with Crystal Reports (other than by name), and our reports are contained within a single class library for use via a desktop application.  I'm not looking to open this saved report in different third party applications; I'm looking to use your viewer with a report object I saved prior.  

<soapbox>
Generating a report object that's usable via your report viewer is something that happens every time you want to view a report.  I don't see how saving that generated report in a native format would be considered bad practice, nor how it would deviate from your "embedded reporting engine."  

Our application has several imaging components (which do get persisted to a database or to the cloud), but they are always initially generated locally via the application.  Creating a report and using these images while they are still local is quick and painless, however, if the images are not local, the data and images need to be downloaded again to regenerate the report.  I realize this is standard practice, but, being able to save the report in it's native format would allow a means of tracking legacy information, without having to maintain a changes table.  

Personally, I feel having the ability to do this in a pleasing visual report would be a handy tool to use.  Especially when viewed (via your report viewer) the user could then export to whatever format they desired.  Of course, there would be a lot of uses for this functionality other than what I've mentioned here, after all, if crystal reports offers this feature, one could argue it has its merits...
</soapbox>


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Steve
Telerik team
answered on 28 May 2010, 02:17 PM
Hello Craig,

Indeed it seems you have misunderstood my previous reply and I apologize for inappropriately using Crystal Reports as comparison that confused you.
In short, we understand your inquiry and it is currently not available in our product. We have this functionality in mind when working on new versions, but cannot engage with a time frame at this point due to other important features we're working on.

Please excuse us for the inconvenience.

Regards,
Steve
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