| Chapter 1 Introduction |
XLReportCom is a solution that generates reports using Microsoft Excel. Using Microsoft Excel and XLReportCom, you can create all kinds of reports quickly and easily. XLReportCom includes an ActiveX DLL and an executable file that can be used to develop your applications. It will significantly accelerate your application development.
XLReportCom is a template-based solution. To create a report, you need to create a report template file first. The report template file is a Microsoft Excel workbook that defines the layouts and formats of a report. XLReportCom retrieves data from data source and fills data into Excel workbooks.
XLReportCom includes the following features:
Just use Microsoft Excel as your reporting tool. You design reports like layouts, formats and styles directly using Microsoft Excel. And you will get reports in Microsoft Excel spreadsheet format as a result. Microsoft Excel is powerful, flexible and familiar. You do not need to buy and learn extra reporting tools.
The main advantage of using XLReportCom is based on the fact that all formatting is done directly in Microsoft Excel. You can take full advantage of Microsoft Excel including cell formatting, formulas, filtering and sorting, drawing and pictures, charts, multiple sheets, page setup, headers and footers, preview and printing, VBA, macros, and more.
XLReportCom executes SQL statements to extract data from database. Supports all type SQL: DML, DDL and DCL. Multiple SQL statements can be executed in one report building process. You can perform queries on databases, insert data into databases, and create database objects like tables. The power of SQL can be harnessed for maximum efficiency in reporting.
Using ADO, XLReportCom can access and manipulate a wide variety of data sources such as Oracle, DB2, Sybase, Informix, Microsoft SQL Server, Teradata, MySQL, Microsoft Access, dBase.
XLReportCom includes an ActiveX DLL for building application. Developers can save time and meet their users needs by integrating the report processing power of XLReportCom into their applications.
XLReportCom includes a command line program ExcelReport.exe. You can use the program to create reports too. It does not require programming. It is enough if you know how to use Microsoft Excel and how to write SQL.
XLReportCom provides various reporting capabilities including sorting data, grouping data, subreports, totaling and summarizing data, formatting, charting and pictures. It is easy to create simple reports, and, you can create complex reports.