.NET 7 WPF News

Personalize Report Output with Mail Merge

January 26, 2024
Reporting components with mail merge features can combine report templates with a data source to generate customized reports per recipient.

Mail merge in reporting software is a feature that allows users to automatically generate letters, labels, and other documents by merging a template with data. This is typically used to create personalized documents in bulk, such as invoices, form letters, or address labels, saving time and reducing errors compared to manually entering information. Mail merge is widely used in marketing, customer service, and administrative tasks, making it a valuable asset for any organization sending bulk communications.

Several WPF Reporting controls provide Mail Merge functionality including:

  • ActiveReports.NET by MESCIUS is a versatile reporting control that utilizes its included Formatted Text control to create mail merge reports.
  • TX Text Control .NET for WPF by Text Control empowers developers with comprehensive mail merge tools including customizable data sources, conditional formatting, and advanced templating.
  • List & Label Professional Reporting Edition by combit is a report designer and document generator that offers mail merge features, extensive data source support, and customizable templates.
  • FastReport WPF by Fast Reports simplifies mail merge with a user-friendly interface, a powerful report designer, and flexible data binding support.

For an in-depth analysis of features and price, visit our WPF Reporting Controls comparison.

Compare WPF Reporting Controls

Easily Find Relevant Data in WPF Grid Apps

January 22, 2024
A search function empowers users to navigate large grid-based datasets efficiently, saving time and boosting productivity.

Searching within a grid enables users to quickly find specific data points by entering search criteria. For large datasets, navigating to specific data points can be a monumental task, often requiring time-consuming manual scrolling. Grid search allows users to pinpoint desired data within seconds, boosting productivity and streamlining analysis. This eliminates the need for tedious browsing and empowers users to quickly identify trends, patterns, and outliers, enabling deeper insights and informed decision-making.

Several WPF grids support searching including:

  • DevExpress WPF Data Grid (part of DevExpress WPF) provides filter searching for massive datasets, highlighting matching results.
  • FlexGrid for WPF (part of ComponentOne Studio WPF by MESCIUS) offers effortless keyword and advanced filtering across all columns or specific ones.
  • Telerik UI for WPF GridView (part of Telerik UI for WPF) includes intuitive searching for streamlined navigation, with search-as-you-type functionality.
  • Xceed DataGrid for WPF features custom searching for precise grid exploration, and can search every visible column regardless of its data type.
  • Syncfusion WPF DataGrid (part of Syncfusion Essential Studio Enterprise) allows you to quickly search the data displayed in the grid, with customizable highlighting.

For an in-depth analysis of features and price, visit our WPF grids comparison.

Compare WPF Grid Components

Unveil Data Insights with Surface Charts

January 22, 2024
Help users understand complex data interactions by adding intuitive 3D visualizations to your WPF applications.

Surface charts are graphical representations that depict three-dimensional data in a two-dimensional format, typically using a grid of rows and columns. These charts provide a visual representation of how two independent variables (typically represented on the X and Y axes) influence a dependent variable, represented by the height or color of the surface. The primary benefit of surface charts lies in their ability to reveal complex relationships within datasets, making it easier for analysts and decision-makers to grasp patterns and trends. Surface charts offer a valuable tool for analyzing data in fields such as scientific research, engineering, finance, and various other domains.

Several WPF chart controls offer Surface charts including:

  • DevExpress WPF Chart (part of DevExpress WPF) allows you to create surface charts with smooth gradients, interactive rotations, and endless customization options.
  • ComponentOne Charts for WPF (part of ComponentOne Studio WPF by MESCIUS) offers interactive 3D surface charts, featuring customizable gradients, rotations, and lighting.
  • LightningChart .NET lets you use surface charts to sculpt data landscapes, uncover hidden patterns, and personalize with interactive rotations, zooms, and customization options.
  • Infragistics WPF Charts (part of Infragistics Ultimate UI for WPF) allows you to transform multidimensional data into visually compelling surface charts.
  • Syncfusion WPF Chart (part of Syncfusion Essential Studio Enterprise) provides you with immersive 3D surface charts, with customizable shading, lighting, and rotations.

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

Compare WPF Chart Controls

Build UML State Diagrams Interactively or Programmatically

January 18, 2024
Syncfusion Essential Studio WPF 2023 Volume 4 makes it easy to design state diagrams with pre-made UML symbols.

Syncfusion Essential Studio WPF, available as part of Syncfusion Essential Studio Enterprise, is a powerful suite of over 95 UI controls, 50+ charts, and document processing libraries designed to boost the development of high-performance line-of-business applications for the Windows Presentation Foundation (WPF) framework. With built-in themes, touch-friendly interfaces, and seamless Visual Studio integration, it empowers developers to craft modern, feature-rich, and cross-platform experiences with ease.

Version 2023 Volume 4 (24.1.41) adds the ability to create UML (Unified Modeling Language) state diagrams both programmatically and interactively using built-in UML state diagram symbols. This allows you to code your diagrams for robust automation and maintainability, or visually design intricate logic with built-in symbols. UML state diagrams visually depict the dynamic behavior of an object or system, focusing on the finite states it can occupy and the events that trigger transitions between them. These diagrams showcase the system's life cycle, highlighting valid sequences of events and ensuring predictable responses.

To see a full list of what's new in version 2023 Volume 4 (24.1.41), see our release notes.

Syncfusion Essential Studio WPF is available as part of Syncfusion Essential Studio Enterprise which is licensed per developer starting with a Team License of up to five developers. It is available as a 12 Month Timed Subscription License which includes support and maintenance. See our Syncfusion Essential Studio Enterprise licensing page for full details.

For more information, visit our Syncfusion Essential Studio WPF product page.

Set Up Data Connections to Snowflake Storage

January 16, 2024
Stimulsoft Reports 2024.1.1 adds a new data adapter that allows users to connect with Snowflake's powerful cloud storage.

Stimulsoft Reports is a versatile reporting tool that lets you create and generate reports of any complexity from scratch, whether for desktop, web, or mobile platforms. It provides a visual designer and royalty-free runtime that integrates seamlessly with various frameworks like ASP.NET, Java, and JavaScript, empowering applications to generate insightful reports with rich features and diverse export options.

The 2024.1.1 release of Stimulsoft Reports adds a new data adapter for Snowflake, a widely used cloud data storage services, adept at handling both semi-structured and structured data. Developers can now utilize Stimulsoft's robust reporting capabilities to analyze Snowflake data directly, eliminating the need for manual data extraction or intermediary tools. This translates to faster report generation, improved data accuracy, and seamless integration with Snowflake's powerful cloud storage and performance.

To see a full list of what's new in version 2024.1.1, see our release notes.

Stimulsoft Ultimate is licensed per developer and is available as a Perpetual license with 1 year support and maintenance. See our Stimulsoft Ultimate licensing page for full details.

Stimulsoft Reports is available to buy in the following products: