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Working with Stimulsoft tools from the console
Fri, 05 Jan 2024 06:20:51 -0500

In today's article, we will discuss how you can leverage commands in the console to work with Stimulsoft analytics and data visualization tools.

Step-by-Step Guide

Begin by downloading and installing Stimulsoft BI Designer from our official website. Once the installer is downloaded, run it and click the Install button - the installation process is automated. Subsequently, access the command line in the operating system with administrator rights.
Following this, you can invoke Stimulsoft tools from the command line. Initially, navigate to the application folder. For Stimulsoft BI Designer, the path will be: "C:\Program Files (x86)\Stimulsoft Designer %version%\".
console
c:\> cd c:\Program Files (x86)\Stimulsoft Designer %version%\
To launch the report designer, execute the command "start Designer.exe".
console
c:\Program Files (x86)\Stimulsoft Designer %version%>start Designer.exe
By default, the report designer will launch in Welcome mode. However, you can start the report designer without a welcome message, but immediately with a blank template page by setting the "-startscreen" parameter to false.
console
c:\Program Files (x86)\Stimulsoft Designer %version%>start Designer.exe -startscreen="false"
Consequently, this also works in the opposite direction. If you need to start the designer in welcome mode, but another behavior was defined in the settings, then the "-startscreen" parameter should be set to true.

Starting the designer with Report Wizards

The Report Designer can also be initiated with the Report Wizards. This can be achieved by using the "-runwizard" parameter and assigning it one of the values.
console
c:\Program Files (x86)\Stimulsoft Designer %version%>start Designer.exe -runwizard="blank"
The "-runwizard" parameter can be assigned the following values:
  • blank - initiates the report designer with a blank report page;
  • blankdashboard - initiates the report designer with a blank dashboard;
  • standard - starts the report designer with a simple list using the report wizard;
  • masterdetail - begins the report designer with the Master-Detail wizard;
  • label - opens the report designer with the wizard for creating a report with labels;
  • crosstab - activates the report designer with the wizard for creating a Cross-tab report;
  • chart - accesses the report designer with the wizard for creating a report with a chart.

Alternatively, you can initiate the report designer by loading a report template into it. After calling the designer with the command, specify the path to the .mrt/.mrz/.mrx files.
console
c:\Program Files (x86)\Stimulsoft Designer %version%>start Designer.exe d:\Report.mrt

Loading from Stimulsoft Cloud

To load a report from the Stimulsoft Cloud service, utilize the "-cloudreport" parameter, assigning the report access key as its value. The Access key for a report can be obtained from Stimulsoft Cloud by selecting the report and choosing the Access Key command from the More menu.
console
c:\Program Files (x86)\Stimulsoft Designer %version%>start Designer.exe -cloudreport="Access key"
To connect XML data sources, you need to add the "-data" parameter and specify the path to the folder containing XML data files.
console
c:\Program Files (x86)\Stimulsoft Designer %version%>start Designer.exe -data=d:\MyData -run
To open a report template *.mrt, *.mrz, *.mrx or a rendered report *.mdc, *.mdz, *.mdx in the viewer, you should add the "-run" parameter.
console
c:\Program Files (x86)\Stimulsoft Designer %version%>start Designer.exe d:\Report.mrt -run

Loading a scheduler

Additionally, if a scheduler has been created previously, it can be initiated from the command line using the "-schedule" parameter, with the scheduler's name passed as its value. All created schedulers can be found in the path "c:\Users\%USERNAME%\AppData\Local\Stimulsoft\Scheduler".
console
c:\Program Files (x86)\Stimulsoft Designer %version%>start Designer.exe -schedule scheduleName
Feel free to reach out if you have any questions or require further assistance.

Stimulsoft in 2023
Fri, 29 Dec 2023 08:24:32 -0500

According to tradition, in the last days of December, we sum up the results of the outgoing year. It should be noted that 2023 turned out to be a very busy year for us. Judge for yourself.

New Products

In 2023, we launched several new products:

Stimulsoft Forms

A tool for creating, editing, filling, publishing, distributing interactive forms, and collecting results. Our product is embeddable into the application and allows you to create various custom templates for filling. Rich functionality makes the template genuinely interactive. Users receive a fillable form in PDF format, which they may modify in any program that supports this format.

Reports.AVALONIA

A product designed for working with reports in applications developed using Avalonia technology on the .NET Core, .NET 6, and .NET 7 platforms. The reporting components fully support all the features of the modern Avalonia UI framework, functioning across various operating systems such as Windows, macOS, and Linux.

Dashboards.ANGULAR

The tools for analytics and data visualization in applications written in the Angular framework. The data processing is based on client-server technology: data processing occurs on a server using .NET Core, ASP.NET MVC, and .NET. The direct work with dashboards occurs on the Angular client.

New Technologies

We have also actively incorporated new technologies into the operation of our products. For instance, we have implemented support for the Laravel framework in Stimulsoft Reports.PHP and Stimulsoft Dashboards.PHP. You can learn more about this, as well as see examples of using the designer and viewer on Laravel, by clicking here.

Simultaneously, products for creating reports and dashboards in JavaScript applications now feature support for Python data adapters. These adapters can be utilized to fetch data from various sources, including MS SQL, Oracle, MySQL, PostgreSQL, and others.

The Stimulsoft Reports.JAVA reporting tool now extends its support to the Java 11+ platform and the Jakarta namespace. This expansion significantly broadens the capabilities of utilizing the report writer for Java applications.

Additionally, as part of the ongoing development of Stimulsoft products featuring Angular components, we have raised the minimum supported version of the Angular framework to 15. This update is applicable to the products Reports.ANGULAR, Dashboards.ANGULAR, Forms.WEB, and Reports.JAVA. Starting with version 2023.4 for the Java reporting tool, support for the Angular viewer has been implemented.

In version 2024.1, an adapter for retrieving data from Snowflake storage has been added to all products. You can locate it on the SQL tab in the New Data Source window.

New Look

The enhancements implemented in 2023 have also impacted the appearance of Stimulsoft products. Among the most notable changes are the introduction of a dark theme for the Stimulsoft BI Designer desktop application and runtime components, including a designer and viewer for WinForms applications. Additionally, a new set of icons, Monoline, has been introduced.

For more convenient work with the report designer, the option to display the Ribbon toolbar in a single line, or in other words, a simplified Ribbon, has been added.

The list continues: Watermark style, custom colors, the ability to use smart guides, and much more. All these changes are aimed at making your work with data more convenient and, consequently, more efficient.

New Components

We also did not overlook the functionality of products for creating reports, dashboards, and forms. This led to the introduction of new elements in our tools:
Certainly, this is not an exhaustive compilation of the innovations and enhancements implemented in 2023; we have concentrated on the key highlights. We are confident that in 2024, we will unveil even more thrilling, and, most importantly, practical features to enhance your interaction with our products, making it even more effective.

Red lines at the end of the report template
Tue, 19 Dec 2023 09:07:07 -0500

Today, we will address a common query about crafting report templates in our products: the red lines at the template page's end. Let's delve into this aspect, exploring it thoroughly, and also go deeper into the properties of Large Height and Large Height Factor. However, before diving in, let's take a moment to revisit the structure of the report.

The procedure for creating a report

Reports in Stimulsoft products follow the following sequence:
  • First, the engine receives all necessary data;

  • Then, it begins to process the pages of the template one by one, strictly in sequential orde;

  • A copy (without bands) is created for each page of the template, which is added to the output document;

  • On the template page, the engine renders the bands in order;

  • After building all the bands on the template page, the engine moves to the next page.

Most often, bands are associated with data tables. Depending on the amount of data, one band may be rendered in a different number of lines or may not be rendered at all if there is no data. If there are many lines, and they do not fit on one page of the template, then the engine creates another copy of the page and continues to place lines on it. If necessary, it creates another copy, and so on, until all lines of data are placed. Thus, one page of the template can result in several pages in the output document.

Arranging bands on report template pages

Furthermore, practical scenarios often involve the need to consecutively place multiple tables with distinct data in a document. Each table should have its own names, headers, footers, and additional information. Additionally, when dealing with a small amount of data, the table should ideally fit on a single page. This introduces a challenge: in the design mode of the template page, there is a need to organize numerous bands, yet they do not all fit within the page constraints. Please note!
The physical dimensions of the page are established through the Page Size property of the report template page. This size applies to both the template page itself and its corresponding copy in the output document.
Therefore, during the design-time, the template page is presented with accurate dimensions. This enables the placement of static components, such as background images and texts, in their intended positions. However, bands, being dynamic components not fixed to specific locations on the page, only reveal their positions during report rendering. Consequently, during the design process, bands are simply displayed sequentially from top to bottom. Moreover, for clarity, they are presented with headings and indents between them.
Bands that extend beyond the page are visually hidden beyond the screen's edge. To facilitate editing, we incorporated a specific feature into the designer - automatic adjustment of the page's visual height to accommodate the content. Here's how it functions: when the combined height of all bands on the page surpasses 70% of the page height, the page VISUALLY expands in height, ensuring at least 30% of the original size's free space remains. Consequently, all bands are visible on the page.
Please note!
The physical dimensions of the template page and its copies REMAIN UNCHANGED! The page's height only VISUALLY increases during the editing process within the designer.

What about the red lines?

When the visual height of the page increases, two red dotted lines start to appear - indicating the lower physical border and the lower margin of the page.
These lines assist in accurately placing static components on the page, such as positioning a logo in the bottom corner.
If, for any reason, the automatic functionality is not suitable, you have the option to manually set the increased height of the page. In this scenario, the Large Height and Large Height Factor properties come in handy. Setting the Large Height property to True visually increases the height of the template page by a fixed factor. The height multiplier is determined by the Large Height Factor property, which defaults to 4 and only accepts integer values.

How to disable the red lines mode?

If, for any reason, you need to view the template page in its actual size, without red lines and additional heights, it's a straightforward process. Set the Large Height property to Yes and the Large Height Factor property to 1.
Let's also touch on another noteworthy property of the page - Print On Previous Page. Enabling this property, for instance, on the second page of the template, ensures that the construction of bands on this page does not start anew but continues from where the construction of bands on the first page concluded. This simplifies certain scenarios, such as the one mentioned at the beginning of the article, where multiple tables with different data need to be consecutively placed in a document. If these tables are unrelated, you can position the bands on different pages and set the Print On Previous Page property to True on subsequent pages. This arrangement ensures that the tables display sequentially, with each table on a separate page in the template, enhancing clarity and ease of editing.
If you are reading these lines, you have successfully navigated through the entire article. Well done! :) Thank you for your attention and for investing your time in reading this piece. We value your patience in exploring the content :). If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to us.

Stimulsoft Reports, Dashboards, and Forms version 2024.1 has been released!
Thu, 14 Dec 2023 06:45:29 -0500

Delighted to share the news of our latest product update - Stimulsoft Reports, Dashboards, and Forms 2024.1! This release introduces a new tool for creating dashboards in Angular applications, a simplified Ribbon panel, a fresh adapter for linking data from Snowflake storage, and a myriad of other enhancements. Stay tuned as we dive into all the innovations and improvements below.

A list of the new features in version 2024.1


Simplified Ribbon

In the latest update, we have included a feature that allows you to easily switch the Ribbon toolbar to a single line. To accomplish this, simply set the Ribbon Layout parameter to Single Line in the Options window of the report designer on the GUI tab. Alternatively, you can use the switch located in the lower right corner of the Ribbon toolbar. The simplified Ribbon consolidates all the necessary parameters and commands for creating and editing reports and dashboards.

Dashboards.ANGULAR

In the 2024.1.1 release, we are excited to introduce a comprehensive set of tools that are cross-platform and fully functional for designing, viewing, and converting dashboards for Angular platform versions 15 and higher. Stimulsoft Dashboards.ANGULAR leverages client-server technology, with swift Angular components operating on the client side and a robust data analytics engine on the server side, powered by frameworks such as .NET Framework 4.7.2 and higher, and .NET Core 3.1, .NET 6.0 and higher. Access to Dashboards.ANGULAR components is facilitated through subscription to Stimulsoft Ultimate or Dashboards.WEB, with separate packages available on NuGet (server side) and npm (client side).

Data adapter for Snowflake

In this release, we have incorporated adapter support for fetching data from Snowflake storage. This functionality is also accessible in Stimulsoft Cloud. Snowflake stands out as one of the widely used cloud data storage services, adept at handling both semi-structured and structured data. To establish a data source, simply opt for Snowflake on the SQL tab within the New Data Source window. Once you have set up a connection and executed a selection request, you are all set to craft reports and dashboards using the acquired data.

Remembering variable selection

In version 2024.1.1, enhancements extend to variables involving user-inputted values during the viewing of reports and dashboards. Now, the system retains the last value inputted into the variable. You can configure this behavior in the variable editor by selecting the Remember Selection option. With this option checked, upon revisiting the report, the variable will default to the last user-entered value. It is important to note that if the user did not input a value previously, the variable will revert to its default setting.

Version quotas in BI Server

In this release, we have introduced the capability to define a quota for the number of stored versions of elements. You can set this quota by utilizing the Maximum number of item's versions option found on the Storage tab within the Server Controller. The minimum number of stored versions for elements can be set to 3, and there is no upper limit for the maximum number of versions.

Expression for Count Data

Introducing support for expressions in the Count Data parameter for Data, Hierarchical Data bands, and the Table component in reports. Previously, the Count Data parameter only allowed specification of a numeric value. Now, you can input any expression, and the calculated result will be a number. If the expression's result cannot be converted to a number, the band or component will be printed only once.

A map of Puerto Rico

In the 2024.1.1 release, we have included two new types of regional maps: Puerto Rico and USA+Puerto Rico. You can now leverage these maps in the development of reports and dashboards.

Data quotas for dashboards

We have introduced the feature to set a quota for the number of data lines in dashboard elements during their creation and editing in the report designer. You can specify the quota for the number of data rows by adjusting the desired value for the Max (Data Rows) parameter in the Options window of the report designer on the Design tab. It is important to note that this parameter does not enforce the quota on the number of rows for these elements when viewing a dashboard. Additionally, it will only be accessible in the Settings window if a dashboard is present in the report template.

Custom filters

You now have the option to include custom filters for the Table element in dashboards. In earlier versions of our products, identifying the presence of a filter was reliant on a sometimes inconspicuous icon on the column header. Recognizing the need for clearer indicators, we have enhanced the labeling of custom filters for easier accessibility. With this improvement, when filters are applied to the Table element, an additional custom filter control element appears during dashboard editing in the report designer. Simply clicking this control enables quick modification or removal of user filters.

Updated import from DevExpress

In this release, we have crafted a new feature for importing reports in an XML-based format from DevExpress. Reports in the older CodeDOM-based format can exclusively be opened using DevExpress assemblies; therefore, importing reports in the old format is structured as a distinct project. The new import from DevExpress is integrated into Stimulsoft BI Designer and can be found on the Import tab within the Open section of the File menu.

Rulers in the web designer

We have added Rulers to the web report designer. Despite its apparent simplicity, this tool greatly streamlines the process of creating and editing reports.

Embrace the holiday spirit with Stimulsoft Xmas Sale - grab a 20% Discount!
Mon, 11 Dec 2023 02:15:57 -0500

Exciting news! Our grand finale sale of the year is here - the Xmas Sale. Dive into the festivities with a fantastic 20% discount on our entire product range. The discount is automatically applied at checkout.
Visit our store now to take advantage of this festive offer.
Please remember, that the offer wraps up at the nightfall of New Year's Eve, December 31, 2023. This exclusive deal is not applicable through resellers and partners.