Need better FR Example reports

make20make20
edited 4:09PM in FastReport 4.0
Currently I am not a FastReport user but QR is my tool. During the years I have several times downloaded the FR demonstration version, but always the threshold from QR has been too high to cross.

Every time I have been missing good Fast Report Examples. Now I further see just those 5 year old and quite elemantary examples. For instance how to print a Text file or Grid contents with FastReport. The FR Examples section is really at least too adequate.

What I really would want to see is for instance a demonstration Invoice or Order Confirmation type reports. The old 12 years old 16-bit QR 1.1 had these type of reports, and you could quickly adopt the ideas how to build several types of basic reports you have to write with business applications every now and then.

I did my Google work trying to locate better FR examples but I could not find any. I am sorry if they are easily available somewhere and I just was not determined and attentive enough.

Just now I would be a potential candidate for FR, while I can't make my QR make a Invoice Form that has different last page, with also some certain extra requirements.
Now I would willingly spend some time with FR and with this problem, but I really would need some standard Invoice FR example for starters.

Thanks for any comments, and sorry for any typos.
M.

Comments

  • gordkgordk St.Catherines On. Canada.
    edited 4:09PM
    the main Demo in the demo version has about 95% of these reports covered.
    the others are covered in the other demos under the Demos folder.
    download the demo version of fr4 and from the same page dl the programmers manual and the users manual. read the programmers manual as working from delphi and the users manual as working within the report.
    you might also want to look at a number of demos posted in the binaries news group.
    there is also a converter unit to help you convert qr to fr.
  • make20make20
    edited 4:09PM
    gordk wrote: »
    the main Demo in the demo version has about 95% of these reports covered.
    the others are covered in the other demos under the Demos folder.

    Sorry but I really seem to need extra help here, I further am not able to find it.

    Here's listed all the report names on Main Demo:

    *What's new in FastReport 4
    "Data" tab, diagrams
    Report inheritance
    Endless page height
    Endless page width and height
    Print A3 on A4 (split)
    Print A3 on A4 (scale)
    Print A5 on A4 (join)
    Drill-down groups
    Drill-down nested groups
    Reset page numbers
    Cross-tab features
    Print copy names
    Encryption (type '1234')
    *Basic reports
    Simple list
    Simple group
    Nested groups
    Master-Detail-Subdetail
    Master-Detail-Detail
    Multi-column list
    Multi-column bands
    Memos and pictures
    Split bands
    Subreports
    Side-by-side subreports
    Report with title page
    Interactive report
    *Cross-tabs
    No rows
    No columns
    One row, one column
    Two rows, one column
    Two columns, one row
    Two cell values
    Highlight
    Alternate color each row
    Several crosses
    Cross from non-DB data
    Old-style crosstab
    Calendar
    Expressions in the cross
    Objects inside the cross
    *Add-in objects
    Richtext
    Barcode
    OLE object
    Chart1
    Chart2
    *Dialogs and script
    Hello FastReport
    Ask for parameters
    Controls and events
    Choosing records to print
    Totals in group header
    *Internal datasets
    Internal table
    Internal query
    *Dot-matrix reports
    Customer list
    Fish list
    Cross-tab
    *Other features
    Rotation, fills and shapes
    HTML tags
    Keep group together
    Preview outline
    URLs, anchors
    Unicode

    Most of those eamples keep repeating reports resembling "Sales report" or "Stock control report" style reports. None of the examples shos how to make a Invoice looking report with FR.

    I am not looking anything very complicated. Just a simple report with output like this would be what I am looking:
    ---------------------------
! P A G E  H E A D E R    !
!-------------------------!
!     INVOICE             !
!                .....    !
! ....           .....    !
! ....           .....    !
! ....           .....    !
!                .....    !
!-------------------------!
! Name Qty Price   Total  !
! ..    .    ...    ....  !
! ..    .    ...    ....  !
! ..    .    ...    ....  !
! ..    .    ...    ....  !
! ..    .    ...    ....  !
!                         !
!          TOTAL   ....   !
!            VAT   ....   !
!-------------------------!
! R E P. T O T A L S BAND !
!-------------------------!
!                         !
! P A G E  F O O T E R    !
---------------------------


    For years I have been waiting better demos to appear to FR evaluation version.
    As starters some Invoice and other business related Form style printout examples etc.

    Also, for FR beginner it is not very convenient when all the Example Reports are built into one HUGE MainDemo collection of reports. For a new comer coming for instance from QuickReport, it is quite a barrier try to isolate some report from that massive FR Demo block. Try to take out some report(s) that you could use as a starting point for your first own FR business reports.
    gordk wrote: »
    you might also want to look at a number of demos posted in the binaries news group.
    there is also a converter unit to help you convert qr to fr.

    All right, thanks, I'll better go there.

    I wonder if someone could kindly point me to some certain binary message there where I could find and get some starting point report my own FR Invoice etc reports
    M.
  • gordkgordk St.Catherines On. Canada.
    edited 4:09PM
    look at the nested group or masterdetail subdetail report under basic reports.
    the concepts are the same, one is supplied data from a single joined query query, the second is
    from the tables directly.
    read the user manual and build some of the demos suggested.
    then you will find it very easy.
    what you put in what bands and which bands you use are up to you in your design.
    take a llok at the "demos for newbies" i posted on 3/8/2008
    it covers some of the most important things to learn about fr.
    BTW the news groups are searchable, even in OE.
    FWIW look with an open mind, and don't think of how you did it in qr.

  • make20make20
    edited 4:09PM
    gordk wrote: »
    read the user manual and build some of the demos suggested.
    I just wonder where the heck should that User Manual be? I have done test installations both to Delphi6 and 7, and no User Manual can be found from any subdirectory or anywhere.

    I try this link on your page, and it looks like there should be some PDF-manual:
    http://fast-report.com/en/search/index.php?q=manual
    Nothing. Those PDF-links just bring me back to Downloads page, and downloading and installing evaluation version does not bring me any user manual > .
    gordk wrote: »
    then you will find it very easy.
    Saying that does not help much. Having QR background I have earlier had, and I still have serious difficulties trying to understand anything just by viewing through those demos.
    Some Beginnes Manual or just any Manual maybe could make the difference.
    gordk wrote: »
    FWIW look with an open mind, and don't think of how you did it in qr.
    Trying to be open minded does not help much. I have not yet found any written quidance how to start replacing my current QR syllabus and routines with FR syllabus.
    M.
  • gordkgordk St.Catherines On. Canada.
    edited 4:09PM
    they are on the page where you download the demo version.
    goto

    http://www.fast-report.com/en/download/fas...4-download.html
    scroll down the page to the documentation.
  • deanWMRdeanWMR
    edited 4:09PM
    hi there, i know what you mean. My real world requirements started with Invoice, despatch note,Quote, Proforma, Job Ticket, Form Letters etc. It was frustrating for me that most report engine demos (not just FR) gave 'Listing' and 'Grouping' reports but no Invoice, or if there it was so simplistic it didnt have the right summary, or 'Page n of n' type stuff that is absolutely essential for us real world developers. Printing a customer list grouped by country doesnt cut the mustard does it when you try to put page n of n and for mysterious (to beginners) reasons n isnt right (needs dual pass and attention to page resetting on group events if a multiple invoice print run) and much experimentation to get the footer summary right such that the Goods Totals etc only appear on the last page but that space is reserved on all the previous pages (pre-printed stationery).
    Yes you are right, in my opinion the demos should be paired down to 10 or 2- good examples of real world reports eg Multipage Invoice, and not just quantity.

    Ok now having said that, i must make it clear i am a Fan of FastReports, its a good tool. I've used QR & Rave but prefer FR. The designer and backbone is very good and the ability to easily pass parameter variables and to easily format values and summaries in the designer, and the ability to allow users to design/customize reports is excellent.

    if you' like a template report of some such Invoices etc send me an email with a little info about your company. this will be a my discretion. i'm not sure if you can email via the forum but in that case you may have to give me an email address and risk it getting into the wrong hands or phone me on 01424 777877
    dean R
    battle, east sussex
    make20 wrote: »
    Currently I am not a FastReport user but QR is my tool. During the years I have several times downloaded the FR demonstration version, but always the threshold from QR has been too high to cross.

    Every time I have been missing good Fast Report Examples. Now I further see just those 5 year old and quite elemantary examples. For instance how to print a Text file or Grid contents with FastReport. The FR Examples section is really at least too adequate.

    What I really would want to see is for instance a demonstration Invoice or Order Confirmation type reports. The old 12 years old 16-bit QR 1.1 had these type of reports, and you could quickly adopt the ideas how to build several types of basic reports you have to write with business applications every now and then.

    I did my Google work trying to locate better FR examples but I could not find any. I am sorry if they are easily available somewhere and I just was not determined and attentive enough.

    Just now I would be a potential candidate for FR, while I can't make my QR make a Invoice Form that has different last page, with also some certain extra requirements.
    Now I would willingly spend some time with FR and with this problem, but I really would need some standard Invoice FR example for starters.

    Thanks for any comments, and sorry for any typos.
    M.

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