Best ASP.NET reporting engine with custom reports creation ability

user_121862 0
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We need to choose the reporting engine for our ASP.NET application. The main functional requirement is an ability for end users (not programmers, just normal users) to create custom reports. We will be using SQL Server as a database so I am aware of some options: SQL Server Reporting services, Crystal Reports, Active Reports, even WindwardReports.

But frankly speaking I've never used any of those except Reporting services and it's quite difficult to choose which one suits the best to customer needs of custom reports creation. Is it possible to get some pros and cons for these options or at least your advice on what would be better to use in this case. Thanks a lot.

reporting crystal-reports reporting-services asp.net
9 Answers
user_88030
user_970100

Reporting Services is the one I am most familiar with and it is the one most tightly ingrained in SQL Server, which is something that I prefer. I also happen to like the "feel" of RS a lot more than Crystal.

The other two options I am not familiar on at all, and I imagine they have a much smaller market share (and therefore much smaller community when it comes to finding help) than RS or Crystal.

TheTXI_221640

One suggestion would be for you to do at least some evaluation of all these options. The primary reason would be so that you could learn just enough about them to judge how to keep them playing well together.

That way, if you either need to switch reporting engines, or perhaps to use a different engine for some particular requirements, you'll know how to do that.

John_Saunders_763370

SQL Reporting Services. They have a web tool to build ad-hoc reports that is as good as any other.

The general problem with ad hoc reporting is that the "thing" the user is trying to do is either beyond the tool or beyond the user and you have to do it any ways, and as a programmer SSRS is a better environment.

Jason_12930

First off, thank you for the up-front mention of Windward. It's nice to see we're on the default short list :)

It really depends on what report desing approach works best for you. If you prefer a programming type approach inside an IDE, then it's Crystal, SSRS, etc. If you prefer an approach where you can design the reports in Microsoft Word, Excel, or PowerPoint (which IMHO makes report design and editing fast & easy), then take a close look at Windward Reports. (Disclaimer, I'm the CTO at Windward.)

For general information, I suggest dotnet-reports and reporting-software. The key to a system that works well for you is one where the design tool is a natural fit for your style - so try several.

user_5096270

Crystal Report which can be easily integrated with .net

user_477380
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