iReport Tutorial

iReport 3.7 Book

2010-04-14T17:03:00.011+06:00

This is my great pleasure to express that I have written a book on iReport 3.7 which is published from PACKT PUBLISHING, UK. Please view details here.

Learn how to use iReport to create, design, format, and export reports

A step-by-step, example-oriented tutorial with lots of screenshots to guide the reader seamlessly through the book
Generate enterprise-level reports using iReport 3.7
Give your reports a professional look with built in templates
Create master/detail reports easily with the sub-report feature
Produce summary data and present them in a dynamic crosstab report.

Although JasperReports is the world's most popular open source Java reporting library, it doesn't provide a tool to visually design reports. iReport is a visual report designer built on JasperReports that fills that lack. It is an intuitive and easy-to-use visual report builder/designer for JasperReports, written in 100% pure Java.

This beginner's tutorial book is a straightforward introduction to the iReport environment taking an example-oriented approach in developing your skills from scratch. It shows you how to use iReport for creating reports in PDF, RTF, and other formats, which can be delivered over the Web for immediate access.

This book will guide you through using iReport to develop various types of reports from a simple report through to dynamic enterprise-level reports based on realistic examples based on a sample Inventory Management System. It takes you through the main types of report available in iReport, and shows you exactly how to create them. It shows you how to use different report templates, how to use special kinds of data operations to generate more powerful reports, combine data to produce master-detail reports, add images, control the layout and formatting of your report and many more.

It will also show you how to use the NetBeans IDE to create Java projects with reporting facilities. You will learn how to vary report format and layout according to business requirements.

What you will learn from this book

Using iReport for creating reports
Using special kinds of data operations to generate more powerful reports
Combining data to produce master/detail reports
Adding images and controlling the layout and formatting of your report
Using report variables to store data during the execution of the report
Representing business data in the form of pie charts, bar charts, line charts and so on
Calling iReport from a Java desktop or web application
Creating reports from the NetBeans IDE
Creating JDBC connections from iReport to connect to different data sources.

Links:

iReport 3.7 at Packt Publishing Book Store
Amazon.com: iReport 3.7
Book Review by Charles(Ted) Wise

Book review by Hans Kristanto
Book review by Bogeyman
iReport Project News

iReport 3.7 Book

2010-01-05T17:43:00.014+06:00

This is my great pleasure to express that I have written a book on iReport 3.7 which is published from PACKT PUBLISHING, UK. Please view details here.

Learn how to use iReport to create, design, format, and export reports

A step-by-step, example-oriented tutorial with lots of screenshots to guide the reader seamlessly through the book
Generate enterprise-level reports using iReport 3.7
Give your reports a professional look with built in templates
Create master/detail reports easily with the sub-report feature
Produce summary data and present them in a dynamic crosstab report.

Although JasperReports is the world's most popular open source Java reporting library, it doesn't provide a tool to visually design reports. iReport is a visual report designer built on JasperReports that fills that lack. It is an intuitive and easy-to-use visual report builder/designer for JasperReports, written in 100% pure Java.

This beginner's tutorial book is a straightforward introduction to the iReport environment taking an example-oriented approach in developing your skills from scratch. It shows you how to use iReport for creating reports in PDF, RTF, and other formats, which can be delivered over the Web for immediate access.

This book will guide you through using iReport to develop various types of reports from a simple report through to dynamic enterprise-level reports based on realistic examples based on a sample Inventory Management System. It takes you through the main types of report available in iReport, and shows you exactly how to create them. It shows you how to use different report templates, how to use special kinds of data operations to generate more powerful reports, combine data to produce master-detail reports, add images, control the layout and formatting of your report and many more.

It will also show you how to use the NetBeans IDE to create Java projects with reporting facilities. You will learn how to vary report format and layout according to business requirements.

What you will learn from this book

Using iReport for creating reports
Using special kinds of data operations to generate more powerful reports
Combining data to produce master/detail reports
Adding images and controlling the layout and formatting of your report
Using report variables to store data during the execution of the report
Representing business data in the form of pie charts, bar charts, line charts and so on
Calling iReport from a Java desktop or web application
Creating reports from the NetBeans IDE
Creating JDBC connections from iReport to connect to different data sources.

Links:

iReport 3.7 at Packt Publishing Book Store
Amazon.com: iReport 3.7

Book review by Hans Kristanto
Book review by Bogeyman
iReport Project News

iReport 3.7.0 released!

2009-12-21T17:27:00.003+07:00

iReport 3.7.0
December 9, 2009
------------------
The iReport Team is pleased to announce the new iReport release 3.7.0.
iReport is available as standalone application (based on the NetBeans RCP) and as NetBeans plugin for NetBeans IDE 6.5.1 and higher.
This version includes several improvements and bug fixes. See the change log for more details.

Release details:
http://jasperforge.org/website/ireportwebsite/IR%20Website/nb-3.7.0.html?group_id=243&header=project&target=ireport

Download:
iReport standalone application
https://sourceforge.net/projects/ireport/files

iReport plugin for NetBeans:
http://plugins.netbeans.org/PluginPortal/faces/PluginDetailPage.jsp?pluginid=4425
https://sourceforge.net/projects/ireport/files

Thanks for your suggestions and your on going support using iReport!

Reference:
iReport 3.7.0 released!, Giulio, http://jasperforge.org/plugins/espnews/browse.php?group_id=83&news_id=209 Accessed on 21st December 2009

iReport 3.6.1 released!

2009-11-07T10:37:00.006+07:00

iReport Release 3.6.1
October 28, 2009
The iReport Team is pleased to announce the new iReport release: 3.6.1.
- XLS (Excel) datasource
- OpenDocument Spreadsheet exporter (ODS)
- XLSX exporter
- New TrueType font management
- Moved to the NetBeans platform 6.5.1
- Full support for JasperReports 3.6.1
- Added the SubreportOpenerProvider interface to plug custom subreport opening logic
- New font combo box on the text toolbar
- New command line option (-N) to disable the use of a network
- Wizard to import TrueType Fonts
- Wizard to create JasperReports font extensions
- Improved JasperReports properties internal management
- Support for horizontal filling of the List components (printOrder property)
- Support for the new isSummaryWithPageHeaderAndFooter property in the report properties
- Several bug fixes
And much more...
See details on iReport 3.6.1 What's new? page!
http://jasperforge.org/website/ireportwebsite/IR%20Website/nb-3.6.1.html
iReport home page:
http://www.jasperforge.org/projects/ireport
Download it now:
http://sourceforge.net/project/showfiles.php?group_id=64348

Reference:
iReport 3.6.1 released!, Giulio, http://jasperforge.org/plugins/espnews/browse.php?group_id=83&news_id=202 Accessed on 7th November 2009

Install iReport Plugins in NetBeans

2009-11-01T21:54:00.006+07:00

At this moment iReport Plugins is the most popular and top rated NetBeans plugins. This tutorial shows how to install the iReport plugins in NetBeans. After installing this, you will be able to design reports from inside NetBeans.

Download the iReport plugins from NetBeans iReport Plugin Detail Page

Now follow the tutorial below:

iReport 3.6.0 released!

2009-09-17T12:40:00.003+07:00

iReport NB Release 3.6.0
September 3, 2009
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The iReport Team is pleased to announce the new iReport release: 3.6.0.
iReport is available as standalone application and as NetBeans plugin for NetBeans IDE 6.x. This version includes several improvements and bug fixes.
New features and changes:
- Updated to JasperReports 3.6.0
- Several bug fixes
Download
http://sourceforge.net/project/showfiles.php?group_id=64348
iReport plugin for NetBeans
http://plugins.netbeans.org/PluginPortal/faces/PluginDetailPage.jsp?pluginid=4425

Complete changelog
- Fixed bug 0003991 ClassPath Library for JasperReports netBeans plugin missing files.
- Fixed bug 0004216 iReport 3.5.3 image height set to 0 causes exception
- Fixed bug 0004270 "Code39(Extended)" vs. "Code39 (Extended)"
- Fixed bug 0004196 Missing Expression ID for Barcode Component
- Support for JasperReports 3.5.3
- Fixed subreport wizard
- Fixed bug 15662: "Transform in" should be "Transform to"

Reference:

iReport 3.6.0 released!, Giulio, http://jasperforge.org/plugins/espnews/browse.php?group_id=83&news_id=192 Accessed on 17th September 2009

iReport 3.5.3 released!

2009-08-10T21:50:00.004+07:00

iReport NB Release 3.5.3
August 3, 2009
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The iReport Team is pleased to announce the new iReport release: 3.5.3.
iReport is available as standalone application and as NetBeans plugin for NetBeans IDE 6.x. This version includes several improvements and bug fixes.
New features and changes:
- Updated to JasperReports 3.5.3
- Improved expression editor
- Automatic compilation of subreports
- Support for XML, XHTML and DOCX exporters
- New template wizard with many new templates
- Autodetection of viewer applications
- Several bug fixes
Download
https://sourceforge.net/projects/ireport/files
iReport plugin for NetBeans
http://plugins.netbeans.org/PluginPortal/faces/PluginDetailPage.jsp?pluginid=4425

Complete changelog
- Modified ireport.exe to fix a problem when missing the user app data registry key
- Feature Req 0000941: iReport should compile automatically all referenced sub reports
- Feature Req 0004151: Support for the XHTML Exporter of JasperReports
- Feature Req 0004147: Support for the .docx exporter of JasperReports
- Feature Req 0000942: Add XML Preview in iReports
- Feature Req 0003596: dialog to edit jasperreports.properties file
- Fixed bug 0003671: Under Linux Acrobat cannot find preview pdf
- Fixed bug 0004061: IReport supplies (OLD) JDBC Drivers that can't be replaced without building
- Fixed bug 0004119: Cancel Meter Intervals Dialog removes All Intervals
- Fixed bug 0004019: java.sql.Timestamp parameter contains wrong value
- Fixed bug 0004021: iReport 3.5.2 compatibility save removes group footers
- Fixed bug 0004121: default value of runToBottom property misrepresented in checkbox
- Fixed bug 0004142: Report designer has no fields on a CSV source
- Fixed bug 0004017: Bad encoding of characters with accents in JRXML
- Fixed bug 0004104: HQLFieldsReader deals incorrectly with fields of primitive types
- Fixed bug 0004078: iReport 3.5.1 or 3.5.2 freeze when trying to add multiple list components to a Frame
- Improved expression editor
- Fixed bug 14693 applying a style corrupts jrxml
- Fixed bug 14817 Cannot create simple report
- Fixed bug 14906 - CSV data source does not handle row separators as expected
- Fixed bug renaming conditional styles
- Added support for Ignore Width property for crosstabs
- Added support for Label Item for Pie and Bar charts
- Automatic opening of output files using OS features (for Win32 and MacOS)
- Added edit with external text editor menu item
- iReport is set as default txt, csv and xml viewer if a viewer application is not set in the properties
- iReport tries now to automatically detect the system browser for HTML preview
- Added new templates
- Added a button to save a page as png (for template thumbnail porpuses) in the preview toolbar
- Improved template wizard with ability to read jrxml properties to drive the template generation
- New template chooser with integrated wizard
- Fixed bug 14622 - [Case #8466] The separators setting for the CSV datasource is not retained after iReport is restarted
- Fixed bug 14505 - Ship Vertica JDBC driver with iReport Pro
- Fixed bug 15001 - [Case #9242] crosstab measure expression class incorrectly set in iReport
- Fixed bug 14815 - [Case #9134] iR 3.5.2 - Compatibility Mode changes only after saving the report
- Fixed bug 14616 - Property "Legend font" should be "Legend Font"
- Fixed bug 14602 - [case #8859] Report Wizard does not suggest default Datasource

Reference:

iReport 3.5.3 released!, Giulio, http://jasperforge.org/plugins/espnews/browse.php?group_id=83&news_id=187 Accessed on 10th August 2009

Subreport in iReport for NetBeans

2009-01-04T17:45:00.005+06:00

The tutorial is loading below...please wait...

Parameterized Report in iReport NB (for NetBeans)

2009-01-04T15:38:00.006+06:00

The tutorial is loading below...please wait...

A Simple Report in iReport for NetBeans

2009-01-04T12:46:00.002+06:00

The tutorial is loading below...please wait...

iReport NB : Create NetBeans Database Connection (JDBC-ODBC Bridge & MySQL)

2008-12-15T19:09:00.005+06:00

The tutorial is loading below...please wait...

About iReport NB Release

2008-12-15T15:54:00.008+06:00

iReport is the most popular visual reporting tool for JasperReports (Java reporting library) and JasperServer (reporting server). You can manage charts, images, subreports, etc. Data sources: JDBC, TableModels, JavaBeans, XML, Hibernate, CSV etc. Output.[1]

The iReport Team is pleased to announce the new iReport release: NB 3.1.3.
iReport is available as standalone application (based on the NetBeans RCP) and as NetBeans plugin for NetBeans IDE 6.0, 6.1 and 6.5. This version includes several improvements and bug fixes.

New features
New features and changes:

* Support for Exporter parameters
* Dynamic classpath
* Improved support for custom components
* Fixed several Mac OS related bugs
* Support for dataset groups
* Updated to JasperReports 3.1.3
* Ability to add an element to a frame just dragging the element into it
* Several bug fixes

Download
Download iReport (standalone version based on the NetBeans RCP)
Download the iReport plugin for NetBeans
The plugin is available on the NetBeans plugin center and on SourceForge

Coming features
There are a set of features that will be implemented in the next releases.

* Jrtx files
* Chart wizard
* Java project classpath integration (plugin for NetBeans IDE only)
* Scriptlet wizard (plugin for NetBeans IDE only)

Completed changelog
- Fixed a problem with the subreport parameters
- Improved support for custom components
- Fixed "Import..." and "Export..." button in the editor dialog
- Fixed some MacOS related bugs
- Fixed crosstab buttons
- New feature to reorder groups
- Support for dataset groups
- Configurable options for exporters
- New reloadable option for classpath paths
- Ability to add an element to a frame just dragging the element into it
- Fixed element z-ordering and z-order display
- Added scrollbars to the query text area.
- Replaced filter expression dialog.
- Fixed Import/export expression feature
- Fixed textfield pattern dialog
- Fixed Field Sorting
- Fixed Crosstab Preorder checkbox [2]

References:

1. http://sourceforge.net/project/showfiles.php?group_id=64348 , Accessed On 15 December 2008
2. http://jasperforge.org/website/ireportwebsite/IR%20Website/nb-3.1.3.html?group_id=243&header=project&leftnav=yes&target=ireport Accessed On 13 February 2009

Background Image in iReport

2008-12-14T17:28:00.005+06:00

The tutorial is loading below...please wait...

Show BLOB Image in iReport

2008-11-30T13:04:00.007+06:00

BLOB (Binary Large Object) is the data type of a column in an RDBMS table which can store large image or textual data as attributes.[1]

This tutorial shows how to show the image stored in a database as BLOB in iReport.

The tutorial is loading below...please wait...

References:

1. Environmental Systems Research Institute, Inc. , The GIS Glossary , http://www.geocities.com/mapref/terms/esri_gloss.html , Date Accessed 2nd December 2008

What is iReport?

2008-11-30T10:41:00.005+06:00

What is iReport
iReport is a program that helps users and developers that use the JasperReports library to visually design reports.

Through a rich and very simple to use GUI, iReport provides all the most important functions to create nice reports in little time. iReport can help people that don't know the JasperReports library create complex reports and learn the XML syntax, taking a look to the generated code. iReport can help skilled report designers compose very complex pages, saving a lot of time. iReport is written in Java.

Short History of iReport

iReport is a visual designer for JasperReports. But What's JasperReports? JasperReports is the best (IMHO) open source reporting engine available for java community. It is developed by a small big genius called Teodor Danciu. JasperReports has always had one lack: it doesn't provide an adapted tool to visually design reports. JasperReports has hundred of features; possibilities of use are infinitely... a person that does not have much confidence with the XML could have some problems to take fully advantage from the JasperReports library.

The Main Features of iReport

The following list describes some of the important characteristics of iReport:
• 98% of JasperReports tags supported
• Visual designer wysiwyg with tools for draw rectangles, lines, ellipses, text fields fields, charts, sub reports...
• Built-in editor with syntax highlighting for write expression
• Support for Unicode and non Latin language (Russian, Chinese, Korean,...)
• Document structure browser
• Integrated compiler and exporter
• Support of all JDBC compliant databases
• Support of all kind of JRDataSource
• Wizard to create automatically reports
• Support for sub reports
• Save backup
• Support for templates
• Facilities for fonts

Download, Install and Run iReport

iReport comes as a zip archive or exe for windows. It contains the main distribution files (classes and source), some templates for wizards, and all additional required jars.

Download iReport from SourceForge.net.

To install iReport on a Windows platform:
run iReport--windows-installer.exe.

Start iReport using the menu item
Programs menu > JasperSoft > iReport

If you are using a Mac or a Linux box, consider to download iReport-.tar.gz, extract the archive in your favorite directory and run: iReport.sh. from a shell.

References

1. iReport Documentation, http://www.jasperforge.org/sf/wiki/do/viewPage/projects.ireport/wiki/IReportManualV1.2.1, Date accessed 15 July 2008
2. Getting Started, http://www.jasperforge.org/jaspersoft/opensource/business_intelligence/ireport/page.php?id=5 , Date accessed on 15 July 2008

Call Report from Java Application

2008-11-12T21:46:00.010+06:00

Reports designed by iReport can be called/ viewed/ embedded/ included in Java application in various ways. A sample coding is given below. Before compiling and running this code the jar files located in the lib folder of iReport installation folder must be included in the classpath.

The sample code shown below uses JFrame to view the report. You can view the report in JInternalFrame or JPanel very easily just by inheriting JInternalFrame or JPanel respectively instead of extending JFrame.

The class below has two constructors. The default constructor can be used for reports without any parameter. The second one can be used for parameterized report. The parameters should be stored in a HashMap object as the key and value pairs. The key will be the name of the parameter in the report and the value will be the variable where the input is stored.

import javax.swing.*;
import java.awt.*;
import java.sql.*;
import java.util.*;
import java.io.*;

import net.sf.jasperreports.engine.*;
import net.sf.jasperreports.engine.design.*;
import net.sf.jasperreports.view.*;

public class MyReportViewer extends JFrame
{

public MyReportViewer(String fileName)
{
this(fileName,null);
}

public MyReportViewer(String fileName,HashMap parameter)
{
super("View Report");
try
{

/* load the required JDBC driver and create the connection
here JDBC-ODBC Bridge Driver is used*/
Class.forName("sun.jdbc.odbc.JdbcOdbcDriver");
Connection con = DriverManager.getConnection("jdbc:odbc:DataSourceName");

//Way 1
/*JasperDesign jasperDesign = JasperManager.loadXmlDesign(fileName);
JasperReport jasperReport = JasperCompileManager.compileReport(jasperDesign);
JasperPrint print = JasperFillManager.fillReport(jasperReport, parameter, con);*/

//Way 2
/*JasperReport jasperReport = JasperCompileManager.compileReport(fileName);
JasperPrint print = JasperFillManager.fillReport(jasperReport, parameter, con);*/

/*Way 3 (Here the parameter file should be in .jasper extension i.e., the compiled report)*/
JasperPrint print = JasperFillManager.fillReport(fileName, parameter, con);

JRViewer viewer=new JRViewer(print);

Container c=getContentPane();
c.add(viewer);
}
catch(ClassNotFoundException cnfe)
{
cnfe.printStackTrace();
}
catch(SQLException sqle)
{
sqle.printStackTrace();
}
catch(JRException jre)
{
jre.printStackTrace();
}

setBounds(10,10,600,500);
setDefaultCloseOperation(DISPOSE_ON_CLOSE);

}

public static void main(String args[])
{
/* A sample calling */
/*HashMap param=new HashMap();
param.put("reportParameterName",valueForTheParameter);
MyReportViewer viewer=new MyReportViewer("Report File Name With Extension",param);
viewer.setVisible(true);*/
}
}

iReport : Chart

2008-10-10T23:09:00.014+06:00

The tutorial is loading below...please wait...

iReport : Crosstab Report

2008-10-10T22:46:00.011+06:00

Crosstab is a process or function that combines and/or summarizes data from one or more sources into a concise format for analysis or reporting.[1]

The Crosstab Query performs calculations and presents data in a spreadsheet format. It displays one type of data listed down the left side and other types of data across the top.[2]

A flash tutorial on Crosstab Reporting in iReport is being loaded below...please wait until it finishes loading.

References:

1. Kenneth Laudon, Interactive Computing Office XP Series Access, http://highered.mcgraw-hill.com/sites/007247257x/student_view0/glossary.html , Date Accessed 02nd December 2008.
2. Vikram Kole, Top 15 Powerful Functionality and Glossary of Standard BI Software, http://blog.maia-intelligence.com/2008/03/11/top-15-powerful-functionality-and-glossary-of-standard-bi-software/ , Date Accessed 2nd December 2008

iReport : Subreport

2008-10-10T21:40:00.006+06:00

The tutorial is loading below...please wait...

iReport: Group by Report

2008-10-10T21:02:00.007+06:00

The tutorial is loading below...please wait...

iReport : Use of Variables

2008-10-10T20:54:00.005+06:00

The tutorial is loading below...please wait...

iReport: Parameterized Report

2008-10-10T20:50:00.008+06:00

A parameterized report uses input values to complete report or data processing. With a parameterized report, you can vary the output of a report based on placeholder values that are set when the report runs. Parameters can be used to complete a query that selects report data, to filter the result set that the query returns, or to drive layout properties used for showing and hiding parts of a report. You can use parameters with linked reports by pairing a specific parameter with each linked report to change the outcome. For example, you can create a single regional sales report that shows the sales for all regions, and then use a parameter for each linked report to filter data for a particular region.[1]

A flash tutorial on Parameterized Reporting in iReport is being loaded below...please wait...

References:

1. Parameterized Reports, http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/aa256341(SQL.80).aspx , Date Accessed 2nd December 2008

iReport : Your First Report

2008-10-10T20:07:00.006+06:00

The tutorial is loading below...please wait...

iReport : Setup Connections/ Data Sources (JDBC Connection)

2008-10-10T10:31:00.008+06:00

The tutorial is loading below...please wait...

Configure ODBC Data Source

2008-10-09T22:03:00.008+06:00

ODBC is an open standard application programming interface for accessing a database. By using ODBC statements in a program, you can access files in a number of different databases, including Access, dBase, DB2, Excel, and Text. ODBC is based on and closely aligned with The Open Group standard Structured Query Language (SQL) Call-Level Interface. It allows programs to use SQL requests that will access databases without having to know the proprietary interfaces to the databases.

ODBC connections can be defined within your Control Panel. This flash tutorial shows how to create a Data Source.The tutorial is loading below...please wait...

References:

1. Hosting Terms, http://www.research-hosting.co.uk/data/hosting-terms/web-hosting-terms-o.asp , Date Accessed 2nd December 2008