.NET 10 WinForms News

Lock PDF Forms by Flattening Fields

February 12, 2026
Enable WinForms apps to flatten form fields in PDF documents, converting user input into static page content that cannot be modified.

Flattening form fields is the process of converting interactive PDF form elements into static content within the document. Once flattened, the data entered into fields becomes part of the page itself, preventing further editing or manipulation. This ensures that the document can be viewed consistently across devices and PDF readers, while preserving the integrity of the submitted information. It is particularly valuable for finalized contracts, reports, and compliance documents where maintaining an accurate, unalterable record is essential.

Several WinForms PDF components allow you to flatten form fields, including:

  • Telerik UI for WinForms PdfProcessing (part of Telerik UI for WinForms) supports programmatic flattening of AcroForm fields so forms can be locked with preserved layout.
  • ImageGear for .NET by Accusoft provides APIs to convert form fields into static page content, removing interactivity and preserving entered data.
  • XFINIUM.PDF WINDOWS/MAC EDITION enables form fields to be flattened during processing, embedding field values into the document content.
  • Syncfusion WinForms PDF (part of Syncfusion Essential Studio Document SDK) allows developers to flatten individual fields or entire forms to prevent editing before sharing.

For an in-depth analysis of features and price, visit our comparison of WinForms PDF components.

Compare WinForms PDF Components

Preview Reports with AI-Powered Data

February 6, 2026
DevExpress Reporting 25.2 enables generating test data using AI to preview and validate reports without connecting to live data sources.

DevExpress Reporting is a comprehensive suite of reporting tools that empowers developers to create visually stunning and highly customizable reports for various applications. With its rich feature set, including data binding, layout design, printing, and exporting capabilities, DevExpress Reporting enables the efficient creation of reports that meet the most demanding business requirements.

The DevExpress Reporting 25.2 update allows developers to generate AI-generated test data to preview reports directly within the Visual Studio and End-User Report Designers for WinForms and WPF. By removing the need to connect to a live data source during design, it supports faster iteration and easier layout validation. This is particularly valuable when production data is unavailable or when sharing report templates that must not include sensitive information.

To see a full list of what's new in version 25.2, see our release notes.

DevExpress Reporting is licensed per developer and is available as a Perpetual License with a 12 month support and maintenance subscription. See our DevExpress Reporting licensing page for full details.

DevExpress Reporting is available to buy in the following products:

Generate Compliant E-Invoicing Documents

February 5, 2026
List & Label 31.001 adds support for ZUGFeRD 2.4, enabling invoices to be created as reports suitable for human review and automated processing.

List & Label by combit is a software development toolkit that helps developers to integrate comprehensive reporting functionalities into their desktop, web, and cloud applications. It offers features such as data binding, complex data visualization, and a user-friendly report designer, along with printing, exporting, and previewing capabilities. List & Label operates independently of programming languages and data sources, providing developers with the flexibility to design and deliver informative reports within their development environment.

The List & Label 31.001 update adds support for ZUGFeRD 2.4, enabling standards-compliant electronic invoices to be generated as part of existing reporting and document output processes. Developers can produce invoices that combine a conventional PDF layout with embedded XML data compatible with EN 16931, allowing the same document to be used for both visual review and automated processing. This allows current e-invoicing requirements to be met without introducing separate invoice formats or additional export logic.

To see a full list of what's new in version 31.001, see our release notes.

List & Label is licensed per developer and is available as a Perpetual License with a 12 month support and maintenance subscription. See our List & Label licensing page for full details.

List & Label is available in the following products:

Turn Grid Data into Clickable Links

February 3, 2026
Hyperlinks in grid cells improve navigation and context by connecting users directly to related records, pages, or actions from within the grid view.

Hyperlinks in grid cells allow data within a grid to be presented as clickable links, enabling users to navigate directly to related pages, records, or actions from a single view. This reduces the need for extra navigation steps, and makes relationships between data clearer and more intuitive. Key benefits include faster access to detailed information and a more interactive user experience. Common use cases include linking order numbers to order details, customer names to profile pages, or grid entries to related documents, reports, or edit screens.

Several .NET WinForms grid controls offer hyperlink cell types, including:

For an in-depth analysis of features and price, visit our .NET WinForms grid controls comparison.

Compare .NET WinForms Grid Controls

Export Chart Data to CSV from WinForms

February 2, 2026
Give WinForms apps the ability to export charts to CSV format, making chart data available for use in reports, spreadsheets, and external systems.

Exporting charts to CSV (Comma-Separated Values) allows users to extract underlying chart data into a simple, portable text format that can be easily opened in spreadsheet applications or processed by other tools. This feature is particularly useful for reporting, data analysis, auditing, and integration apps, as it decouples the visual presentation of data from the raw numerical or categorical information it represents. By enabling quick access to chart data in a structured format, exporting to CSV enhances interoperability across systems and supports a wider range of use cases.

Several WinForms charting components allow you to export to CSV, including:

  • TeeChart for .NET Pro Edition by Steema Software offers built-in export capabilities that allow developers to save chart data directly to CSV with customizable formatting options.
  • .netCHARTING is a comprehensive charting library that provides the ability to export charts to various image and document formats in WinForms applications.
  • ProEssentials by GigaSoft integrates into WinForms apps and offers chart export to various formats and includes options for exporting underlying data in editable text form.

For an in-depth analysis of features and price, visit our comparison of WinForms chart components.

Compare WinForms Chart Components