User function with trial Report Designer

[P]

Hi,

Is there a way to test the user functions mechanism with a trial version of the Report Designer (Telerik ReportDesigner R2 2019 TRIAL)? It is downloaded only as an exe file with no configuration file. 

 

Best Regards

[Nasko]

Hi P,

The trial version has the same functionality as the dev version and user functions are supported as well. The standalone designer exe file will work without a configuration file, but if such is needed it can be added manually. If you install Telerik Reporting via the trial or dev msi installer you will have a folder containing both the exe file and the config file.

Please find attached how the installation folder looks like and also my default config files that came with the installation for my version of Reporting.

Regards,
Nasko
Progress Telerik

[P]

Hi Nasko,

I have a Reporting Server (1. ReportingServerVersion.PNG) which does not open reports created with a version of Report Designer newer than 13.1.19.514. When I click button New Report on the server it offers me to download its compatible version of Report Designer (2. DownloadDesigner.png). However it downloads only an exe file so for this version I have neither an installation folder nor a configuration file. For some reason the control panel also does not allow me to install the older version (3. ControlPanel.PNG). 
I tried to copy the dll file with my custom functions in the folder where this Report Designer resides but it still does not load them in the Expression window. So I guess it needs a configuration file for that. 
I copied the configuration file from the installation folder of Report Designer version 13.1.19.618 (I have successfully used it to load my custom functions). This config file references the dll with the custom functions. Report Designer 514 started successfully but when I try to open the Expression window of a textbox it shows a loading message (4. LoadingExpressionWindow.png) and after that crashes and closes with no error notification. 
I then tried to edit the version in the configuration file and changed the line:
<bindingRedirect oldVersion="0.0.0.0-13.1.19.618" newVersion="13.1.19.618"/>
to:
<bindingRedirect oldVersion="0.0.0.0-13.1.19.514" newVersion="13.1.19.514"/>
But then on starting the Report Designer shows errors (5. StartError.png, 6. ObjectReference.png).
Where can I find a configuration file compatible with Report Designer version 13.1.19.514?

Best Regards,

Petya

[Katia]

Hi Petya,

To use custom functions with the Report Server application, you can apply the approach suggested in How to configure Telerik Report Server to use reports with custom functions kb article.

The Standalone Report Designer that comes with the Report Server does not support loading of the custom functions in the Edit Expression editor yet, we have a request for adding this functionality - User functions should appear in Edit Expression editor in Standalone designer.

You can type in the name of the function manually in the expression using the correct assembly-qualified name: =[AssemblyName].[NameSpace].[FunctionName]

On the side note, you can also use Web Report Designer for editing reports, it will display the user functions by default. To enable Web Report Designer, open the Configuration section in Report Server application and check "Enable Web Report Designer (experimental)" option in the Designer tab. After that, you will be able to open the report in Web Report Designer using the toolbar in the Reports View.

 

Regards,
Katia
Progress Telerik