The data binding process involves setting up the data connection and associating the data with the report. In a Page report or an RDL, it is typically a two-step process.

The first step requires you to set up a connection to the data source by configuring the data source connection properties. Next, you need to add a dataset to fetch the data you want to show in the report.

This section discusses the data binding using the ActiveReports Designer. For information on run-time binding, please see Bind a Page/RDL report to a Data Source at Run Time topic.

Data Sources

In ActiveReports Designer, you setup the data source connection in the Report Data Source dialog. The Report Data Source dialog is where you select the type of data source to use, provide a connection string, and choose other options for your data source. You can also decide to use a shared data source, use a single transaction, and select a method for handling credentials. Once you add a data source, it appears in the Report Explorer under the Data Sources node. You can also add multiple data sources in a single report. See Connect to a Data Source for more information.

Datasets

A dataset fetches data from the data source to display in a report. The DataSet dialog is where you provide a command type and query string and choose other options for your dataset.

You can also control the timeout period and other data options, and add fields, parameters, and filters to fetch the data you need. Once you have added a dataset, the dataset fields appear under the Data Source node in the Report Explorer. You can add multiple datasets for a data source. For example, you can use multiple data sets in a report when nesting data regions such as Tablix, List, Chart, BandedList, Table, and Sparkline. See Add Dataset for more information.

Furthermore, ActiveReports provides a Visual Query Designer for Microsoft SQL Client and Microsoft OLEDB providers and Query Designers for JSON and XML providers, which allow the users to build the dataset queries easily.

Supported Data Providers

The supported data providers for designing Page/RDL reports are:

• Microsoft SQL Client Provider
• CSV Provider
• DataSet and Object Providers
• JSON Provider
• Microsoft ODBC Provider
• Microsoft OLEDB Provider
• XML Provider