cloud934221.beauty

Stimulsoft Designer for Windows 10/8.1: Features, Compatibility, and Performance

Written by

admin

in

Migrating Reports to Stimulsoft Designer on Windows ⁄8.1: Step-by-Step TutorialMigrating reports to Stimulsoft Designer on Windows 10 or 8.1 requires planning, preparing source files, configuring the Designer environment, updating data sources and components, and testing thoroughly. This tutorial walks you through each step with practical tips to avoid common pitfalls.

Before you begin — prerequisites and planning

  • Supported OS: Ensure your machine runs Windows 10 or Windows 8.1 and that it has the latest updates.
  • Stimulsoft Designer version: Install a Stimulsoft Designer build compatible with your OS. Check Stimulsoft’s system requirements for any version-specific dependencies.
  • Backups: Always keep backups of original report files and related data sources.
  • Access & credentials: Have credentials for databases, APIs, and any other data sources used by reports.
  • Dependencies list: Create a list of custom scripts, user functions, fonts, images, and third-party components referenced by reports.
  • Target format & runtime: Decide whether reports will run in Designer only, be exported to other formats (PDF, Excel), or used in a web/desktop application.

Step 1 — Inventory existing reports and assets

  1. Gather all report files (e.g., .mrt) from source systems.
  2. Catalog associated resources: database connection strings, images, custom fonts, scripts, and external assemblies.
  3. Note the report engine or Designer version used previously (if known) to anticipate compatibility issues.

Tip: Use a simple spreadsheet to track filenames, data sources, and noted issues.

Step 2 — Install and configure Stimulsoft Designer on Windows ⁄8.1

  1. Download the appropriate Stimulsoft Designer installer for Windows and run it with administrator privileges.
  2. During installation, allow required frameworks (e.g., .NET) if prompted.
  3. Configure default folders for reports and resources in Designer’s options (Tools → Options).
  4. Install any required third-party assemblies or fonts on the system so Designer can render reports as originally intended.

Note: If Designer requires a license, apply it before performing bulk migrations to avoid evaluation restrictions.

Step 3 — Prepare data connections

  1. Recreate database connections inside Stimulsoft Designer:
    • Open the Dictionary pane (or Data) and add new connections (SQL Server, MySQL, Oracle, etc.).
    • Test connections to verify credentials and network access.
  2. For XML/JSON files, point the connection to local copies or accessible endpoints.
  3. If using ODBC/OLE DB, ensure drivers are installed on Windows ⁄8.1 and properly configured.

Tip: Match the connection names used in original reports when possible to reduce the number of required report edits.

Step 4 — Import reports into Designer

  1. Open Stimulsoft Designer.
  2. Use File → Open to load each report (.mrt) or File → Import if importing from another report engine.
  3. On first open, Designer may prompt to resolve missing resources (fonts, images, assemblies). Point to the correct local paths or re-add resources to the report’s resource manager.

If a report fails to open, check for format/version incompatibilities and consider exporting from the original Designer to a neutral format (e.g., XML) before importing.

Step 5 — Resolve missing components and scripts

  1. Check the Report Explorer for warnings about missing bands, components, or scripts.
  2. Re-add custom user functions or convert them into supported script formats (C#/VB).
  3. Re-link images and fonts via the Resources panel. Install any non-standard fonts into Windows so Designer can use them.
  4. If external assemblies are referenced, copy the DLLs into the Designer’s bin or global assembly cache (GAC) and re-register if necessary.

Example: A custom data transformer implemented in a .NET assembly must be accessible to Designer; place the DLL in Designer’s application folder and restart Designer.

Step 6 — Update data bindings and expressions

  1. Open each data-bound component and ensure its DataSource and DataMember point to the recreated connections and datasets.
  2. Review expressions, aggregates, and sorting/grouping logic for compatibility; some functions or syntax can differ between versions.
  3. Replace deprecated functions with their current equivalents. Use the expression editor to validate formulas.

Tip: Run quick data previews to confirm that tables and charts populate as expected.

Step 7 — Layout, styling, and page settings validation

  1. Check page size, margins, headers/footers, and orientation to match original layouts.
  2. Validate fonts and text wrapping; enable word wrap where needed.
  3. Inspect charts and gauges for correct data series mappings and appearance. Adjust styles to match corporate templates.

If pagination differs from the source, adjust KeepTogether, CanGrow/CanShrink, and band settings.

Step 8 — Export and integration testing

  1. Export migrated reports to target formats used by your organization (PDF, Excel, HTML) and compare outputs with original reports.
  2. If reports will be embedded in applications, test them within the application runtime (web app, WinForms, WPF) to verify rendering and data access.
  3. Perform load tests if reports are heavy or used in high-concurrency environments.

Check for differences in numeric/date formatting caused by culture or regional settings on Windows ⁄8.1 and adjust the report or system culture settings as needed.

Step 9 — Automate repetitive changes (optional)

For large report collections:

  • Use scriptable tools or Stimulsoft’s APIs to batch-update connection strings, replace fonts, or inject resources.
  • Consider writing a small .NET utility to open .mrt files (they are XML-based), modify tags (for connection names or resource paths), and save changes.

Caution: Always work on copies when running batch operations.

Step 10 — Final QA and rollout

  1. Create a QA checklist covering data accuracy, layout fidelity, performance, and export results.
  2. Have report owners validate migrated reports against business expectations.
  3. Document changes made during migration and update any runbooks or deployment scripts.
  4. Plan a rollout: parallel run period, user training, and a rollback strategy.

Common issues and quick fixes

  • Missing fonts: Install the missing font on Windows and restart Designer.
  • Broken images: Re-link image resource paths or embed images into the report.
  • Connection failures: Verify drivers, firewall rules, and credentials.
  • Script errors: Port scripts to supported scripting language or recompile referenced assemblies.

Conclusion

Migrating reports to Stimulsoft Designer on Windows ⁄8.1 is a multi-step process: inventory, configure Designer, recreate data connections, import reports, resolve missing resources, retest bindings and layout, and perform QA. With careful planning, backups, and automated tools for large-scale changes, the migration can be efficient and low-risk.

Comments

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

More posts