Question 1

What is Bold Reports Report Writer?

Accepted Answer

Bold Reports Report Writer is a .NET reporting library that exports SSRS-compatible RDL and RDLC reports to PDF, Excel, Word, HTML, CSV, and PowerPoint formats. It enables automated report generation directly from web applications, APIs, background services, and desktop applications without requiring a report viewer or report server.

Question 2

How is Report Writer different from Report Viewer?

Accepted Answer

Report Viewer displays reports for users to interact with, while Report Writer generates downloadable documents programmatically. Report Writer is ideal for automated report delivery, scheduled exports, batch report generation, and API-driven reporting scenarios where no user interface is required.

Question 3

Which platforms does Bold Reports Report Writer support?

Accepted Answer

Bold Reports Report Writer supports ASP.NET Core, ASP.NET MVC, ASP.NET Web Forms, Blazor, WPF, and UWP applications. It is designed for server-side and desktop report generation, allowing developers to integrate report exports directly into modern .NET applications and services.

Question 4

When should I use Report Writer instead of Report Viewer?

Accepted Answer

Use Report Writer when your goal is to generate downloadable documents programmatically or automate report exports. Use Report Viewer when users need to interact with reports through filtering, drill-down, parameters, and on-screen viewing.

Question 5

What data sources can a report use?

Accepted Answer

Report Writer supports reports connected to enterprise data sources such as SQL Server, Azure SQL Database, Oracle, and other data sources supported by RDL reports. Exported documents use the same data source definitions configured within the report.

Question 6

What report items are available?

Accepted Answer

Report Writer supports commonly used RDL report items, including charts, tables, matrix reports (Tablix), gauges, textboxes, and other supported data visualization elements. Exported documents preserve report layouts and formatting defined within the report design.

Question 7

Does Report Writer support RDLC reports?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Report Writer supports both RDL and RDLC report formats, allowing organizations to continue using existing report definitions without redesigning them.

Question 8

Can Report Writer be used in Web APIs?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Report Writer can be called from REST APIs and backend services to generate and return reports dynamically in PDF, Excel, Word, HTML, CSV, or PowerPoint formats.

Question 9

What export formats are supported?

Accepted Answer

Report Writer supports PDF, Excel, Word, HTML, CSV, PowerPoint, XML or TXT files exports from a single RDL or RDLC report definition.

Question 10

Do I need a report server to use it?

Accepted Answer

No. Report Writer can load RDL and RDLC reports directly from your application or file system and generate exports without deploying a report server. Optionally, it can also work with Bold Reports Server or Microsoft SSRS environments when centrally managed reports and shared resources are required.

Question 11

Can I reuse my existing SSRS reports?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Existing SSRS RDL and RDLC reports can be used with Report Writer, helping teams modernize report delivery while preserving existing report investments.

Question 12

Can it export charts and gauges, not just tables?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Report Writer exports charts, gauges, tables, matrix reports, and other supported visual report elements while preserving layouts and formatting in the generated PDF, Excel, Word, and PowerPoint documents.

Question 13

Can the same report produce different exports for different users?

Accepted Answer

Yes, using report parameters, a single report template can generate personalized reports for different customers, regions, departments, or date ranges without creating separate report definitions.

Question 14

Is there a free trial?

Accepted Answer

Yes. You can try Bold Reports free for 30 days with full access to Report Writer and other embedded reporting components. No credit card is required.

Question 15

Can I export SSRS reports to PDF programmatically?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Report Writer enables developers to export SSRS-compatible RDL and RDLC reports programmatically to PDF and other formats directly from .NET applications.

Question 16

Can I generate reports from ASP.NET Core applications?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Report Writer includes native support for ASP.NET Core and can be integrated into web applications, APIs, and backend services for on-demand report generation.