Fortes Report and Components.

Fortes Report

A best alternative to Quick Report. It’s totally free and supports latest Delphi versions

The Fortes Report is a powerful report generator available as a package of components for Delphi looks very similar to the Quick Report. In Fortes Report, the reports are composed of bands that have specific functions to print data. You define groupings, sublevels and totals simply by hierarchical relationship between bands. Moreover, the Fortes Report has a rich palette of components to print text, image, barcode and export components etc.

How to install Fortes Report in Delphi ?

For Delphi DX or later versions we can use GetItPackage Manager to install. For lower Delphi version download latest code from following links and follow the steps.

https://github.com/fortesinformatica/fortesreport-ce

https://sourceforge.net/projects/fortesreport/

Then go to Packages folder and Open frce.dpk package. Then right click compile and Build. Then again right click and select Install to install in IDE.

And after install in Delphi IDE you can see Fortes report components.

TRLReport is main report component used to design report.

Some of important properties…

Property Name	Description
Background	Used to set report background image
Borders	Used to set report borders
Color	To set report background color
CompositeOptions	Used when we use composite reports Numberpages        = for page numbers ResetPageNumber = to reset page number for next report
DataSource	Sets master TDataSource component which is linked with a dataset and whose records will be printed. For this we have to put a Detail Band (TRLband with BandType = btDetail) and then TRLDbtexts to show data.
DefaultFilter	Set default export printer filter which will show during save or print
Degrade	To apply gradient effect to background color Direction = ddNone, ddHorizental, ddVertical OppositeColor = clAnything
FirstPageNumber	Starting Page Number
Margins	Used to set report page margins
NextReport	Next report component if we want to show multiple report at a time
PageSetup	Used to set page options like Page orientation and size
PreviewOptions	Used to set preview form settings To apply the changes, use Defaults = pdIgnoreDefaults
PrintEmpty	If True then it will print report yet no data exists
RangeCount	Define total number of records. It will effect when RecordRange = rrNextN
RecordRange	Defines how to show records and by default its rrAllRecords
Title	To show report title if we use RLSysInfo component Info=riTitle
Transparent	If True then removed background effects and prints on white color
UnLimitedHeight	If True then prints all data on single page with unlimited page height

Events	Description
AfterPrint	Fires after report preview/print finished
BeforePrint	Fires before report preview/print start
onDataCount	Fires on every record print and DataCount variable returns total record count.
onDataRecord	Fires on every record print and can be used to make a choice which record need to print. RecordAction variable defines which record to print.
onFilterText	Fires on every data print and can be used to make a decision to print the data or not
onNeeddata	Fires on every record print and can be used to check more record exists or not to print.
onPageEnding	Fires on last page print
onPageStarting	Fires on first page print

TRLBand

As Fortes report is composed of bands, so bands play important role in report design. Bands used as contained for report components. We can put Labels, texts, images on band to show data. Bands can be different types like header, footer, column header, column footer, detail etc. TRLBand.BandType property defines which type of band we want to use.

Property Name	Description
Autosize	To set band auto height
Background	To set band background image
CarbonCopies	Defines how many time same will print. By default 1.
BandType	This is an important property which defines band type btDetail    = sets detail band that prints actual data retrieved from database. It gets data from report component’s datasource’s dataset records. It used to print master data in case of master-detail reports. btColumnHeader = sets column header band that used to print column titles. Prints before detail band print at top of every page. btColumnFooter = sets column footer band that used to print footer details. Prints after detail band print at bottom of every page btHeader = sets header band that used to print header details like Report Title, company details etc. Prints before detail band print at top of every page. btFooter = sets footer band that used to print footer details like company moto. Prints after detail band print at bottom of every page btTitle = sets Title band that used to print report title details for a report like a Sales report title. Prints on first page only before detail data print btSummary = sets Summary band that used to print report summary details like totals. Prints at end of page after all detail data print.
Color	Set background color
Degrade	To apply gradient effect to background color Direction = ddNone, ddHorizental, ddVertical OppositeColor = clAnything
Font	To set all child component font
GreenBarColor	Defines alternate row color
GreenBarPrint	If true then only GreenBarColor applied and will show alternate color
Pagebreaking	Defines the page break. boNone            =  no page break boAfterprint    =  page break after band print boBeforePrint  =  page break before band print
Transparent	If True then removed background effects and prints on white color

Events	Description
AfterPrint	Fires after band print finished
BeforePrint	Fires before band print start

TRLDetailGrid

This band is used to print data in row / column format. It is very suitable for Label print.

Property	Description
ColCount	Defines number of columns data need to print
ColSpacing	Space between columns
ColWidth	Sets column’s width
Organization	Defines how to print data i.e in row order or column order. goInColumns  = prints data in column order goInRows       = prints data in row order

TRLGroup

This band is used to print grouping records. We generally group some records as per specific fields and print them. We also totals for the grouped records.

Property	Description
DataFields	Defines grouping fields on which grouping will be done on records. We can use a Field Name or Field Names separated with semicolon ; like Cust_No Dept_Type;Cust_No
Dataformula	This is also used to define grouping. But here instead of field names we use a formula that based on field values like. Cust_no
IntegralHeight	If True then it defines that Group band with all child band will print together. For example if there is little at page bottom and it prints Detail column header and prints other on next page then it may misguide a customer then in that case we can set this TRUE so that it will print all the band together on next page.

TRLSubDetail

This band is used to print Sub-detail records when we design a master-detail report. We have to use TRLBand for master data print with BandType=btdetail and TRLSubDetail band can be used to print detail data when parent child relation.

Property	Description
DataSource	Defines detail TDatasource component which is linked with a dataset that having detail data in case of master-detail report. It generally having child records for a master record.
Positioning	Defines the position of TRLSubdetail band. It shows when to print sub-detail band data.
IntegralHeight	If True then it defines that Subdetail band with all child band will print together. For example if there is little at page bottom and it prints Detail column header and prints other on next page then it may misguide a customer then in that case we can set this TRUE so that it will print all the band together on next page.

Events	Description
AfterPrint	Fires after report preview/print finished
BeforePrint	Fires before report preview/print start
onDataCount	Fires on every record print and DataCount variable returns total record count.
onDataRecord	Fires on every record print and can be used to make a choice which record need to print. RecordAction variable defines which record to print.
onNeeddata	Fires on every record print and can be used to check more record exists or not to print.

TRLLabel

This component used to print a text. We must put on a band.

Property	Description
Align	Defines label alignment in band
Alignment	Sets Caption alignment horizontally
Layout	Sets Caption alignment vertically
Autosize	Sets label autosize as per the caption
Borders	Sets label border with colors
Color	Sets background color
Font	Sets label font style and color
Holder	Uses to link another component for alignment. For example we have put a TRLLabel on column header and TRLDbtext on detail. Then we can set TRLDbtext Secondholder to TRLLabel. Then when we move TRLLabel then it also moves TRLDBtext. So it help to rearrange everything.
HoldStyle	This defines how second holder component will be aligned
SecondHolder	Uses to link another component for alignment. For example we have put a TRLLabel on column header and TRLDbtext on detail. Then we can set TRLDbtext Secondholder to TRLLabel. Then when we move TRLLabel then it also moves TRLDBtext. So it help to rearrange everything.
SecondHoldStyle	This defines how second holder component will be aligned

Events	Description
Beforeprint	Fires before label print
Afterprint	Fires after label print

TRLAngleLabel

Property	Description
Angle	Defines angle for label caption

TRLDBText

Component to print actual data that fetched from database. We have to set Datasource and Datafield property to print data.

Property	Description
Datasource	Sets Tdatasource component whose linked dataset data to be print
DataField	Field name whose data to be print
Dataformula	We can use a formula with field name like  item_rate * item_qty
Displaymask	Sets display mask for data like dd/mm/yyyy, hh:nn:ss, 0.00 etc
Text	Sets an additional text with linked field value like No : 1, where “1” is field value and “No :” is text

TRLMemo / TRLRichText    

This components used to print multi line data.

Property	Description
Behavior     beSiteExpander	If True then it will resize the band where it is put as per the size of memo
Lines	To set multi line text to print
Wordwrap	Wraps the text to new line as per width

TRLDBMemo / TRLDBRichText   

This is just like TRLMemo / TRlRichtext component but here instead of assigning Lines value we use Datasource and DataField property to show fetched database data

Property	Description
Datasource	Sets Tdatasource component whose linked dataset data to be print
DataField	Field name whose data to be print
Dataformula	We can use a formula with field name like  Address1 +', '+ City + ', '+ PhoneNo

TRLImage

This component used to show images and it supports all type of images.

Property	Description
Picture	To load a new picture. At runtime we can use like TRLImage.Picture.loadfromfile(‘fileName’);
AutoSize	Set TRLImage size as per image size
Center	Set image at center of component
Scale	If True then Zooms the image as per component size
Stretch	If true then resizes the image as per component size

TRLDBImage

This component is just like TRLImage but we used DataSource and DataField property to get image data from database.

Property	Description
Datasource	Sets Tdatasource component whose linked dataset data to be print
DataField	Field name whose data to be print

TRLSysInfo

This is a useful component used to print system data like current date, current time, report title, page number, page count etc.

Property	Description
Info	Defines which system data to print. Values can be itCarbonCopy   – prints Carbon copy number itCopyNo          - Sequential Log Copy Number itDate               – prints Current report date   itDetailCount   – prints Sub Detail record count as per master itFullDate         – prints full date with time itHour               – prints current report time itJunction         - Page junction flag. Indicates whether the report continues on the following pages itLastPageNumber – prints last page of the rpeort itMend              - Page junction flag. Indicates whether the current page is the continuation of previous pages itNow               – prints current date and time itPageNumber  – prints current page number itPagePreview  - Current page number and total page of the report itTitle                – prints report Title itRecNo             – prints current record number
Text	Adds an additional text with Info data like Page : 1, where “1” is page number value and “No :” is text

TRLDraw

This component is used to draw shapes and lines.

Property	Description
Angle	Sets shape angle
Brush	Used to fill color in shape. We can use Color and Style to see the effect.
Center	Aligns the shape to center
DrawData	This is used to draw custom shape
Drawheight	Sets drawing area height
DrawWidth	Set drawing area width
Drawkind	Defines what type of shape need to draw dkLine            – draws Line dkRectangle   – draws rectangle dkTriangle      – draws triangle dkElipse         – draws elipse dkArrow         – draws arrow dkCustom       – to draws custom image as per DrawData
Pen	Used to draw shape borders. We can apply border color, width and style

TRLDBResult  

This component is used to print total and summary values like Sum, Count, Min, Max Avg etc. We have to assign Datasource and DataField value to calculate summary values. We can put these components in Group Footer and Summary bands to print group total or summary total.

Property	Description
ComputeNulls	Calculate Null values also
Datasource	Sets Tdatasource component whose linked dataset data to be print
DataField	Field name whose data to be print
Dataformula	We can use a formula with field name like Copy(cust_name, 1, 1)
Displaymask	Sets display mask for data like dd/mm/yyyy, hh:nn:ss, 0.00 etc
Info	Defines which summary value to print riAverage    - prints Average value riCount       – prints total record count riFirst         – prints first printed value riLast          – prints last printed value riMax          – prints Max value riMin           – prints Min value riSum          – prints Sum value riFirstText  – prints first printed text riLastText   - prints last printed text riSimple      - Useful for solving formulas with built-in functions
Text	Sets an additional text with linked field value like No : 1, where “1” is field value and “No :” is text

TRLPanel  

This component is used just like TPanel component which contains some child components. It will move all child components when we change position.

Property	Description
Behavior     beSiteExpander	If True then it will resize the band where it is put as per the size of memo
Borders	Set Panel borders

TRLBarcode 

This is used to print Barcode. We have to set Caption property value to print barcode.

Property	Description
Caption	Defines Barcode value
InvalidCode	Defines how it should print barcode if invalid value
Module	Defines barcode lines width
Orientation	Defines barcode orientation for lines arrangement like LeftToRight, Toptobottom etc.
Ration	Defines barcode ratio
ShowText	Defines how barcode text should show like both text and type or only text or nothing

TRLDBBarcode 

This is like TRLBarcode component used to print Barcode but here we have to get the value from TDatasource dataset. So we have to set Datasource or DataField property value.

Property	Description
Datasource	Sets Tdatasource component whose linked dataset data to be print
DataField	Field name whose data to be print
Dataformula	We can use a formula with field name like Copy(cust_name, 1, 1)

Export Filters Component

These components are used to export report data into different file format like PDF, XLS RTF etc. To get use of these filters we just need to put the Filters with Report components on that same form

TRLRichFilter     =             RTF Format

TRLPDFFilter      =             PDF Format

TRLHTMLFilter   =             HTML Format

TRLXLSFilter      =             Excel XLS Format for old Excel versions

TRLXLSXFilter    =             Excel XLSX format for latest Excel versions

TRLExpressionBar

This component is used to function DataFormula property for some components. We need to put this component on same for where report component exists and need to link RLReport1.ExpressionParser = RLExpressionParser1. Then rest of thing will be maintained by component itself.

Link to report

     RLReport1.ExpressionParser = RLExpressionParser1

RLDBText use DataFormula.

     RLDBText1.DataFormuls := addr1 +' '+city + ' '+Phone;

     RLDBText2.DataFormuls := Rate * Quantity;

TRLPreviewSetup  

This component is used to change report preview form settings. We just need to drop the component on form and set required property values. Then rest of things will be done by the component itself and to check the effect open a report preview.

Property	Description
BorderIcons	Set report preview form icons like minimize, maximize and help
Caption	Sets preview form caption
EditOptions	Provides functionality to edit report data at runtime during preview eoCanReposition = to allow reposition at runtime eoCanResizeItems = to allow resize items at runtime eoEditText = to allow edit text of items at runtime eoCandeleteItems = to allow delete items at runtime
EnableButtons	Controls preview form buttons enable / disable
FormStyle	Sets preview form style like MDIChild or normal
Position	Sets preview form initial loading position
Showmodal	Preview form will show as modal if we call Preview function. We can call PreviewModal also
ZoomFactor	Sets initial report Zoom value

TRLPreview 

This component can be used to design our own preview form. It generally shows a prepared report on preview screen. It is just like TScrollBox component and to show a TRLRpeort in TRLPreview we have to write code

      RLReport1.Preview(RLPreview1);  

                             or 

      RLPreview1.Pages := RLReport1.Pages; 

                             or 

      RLPreview1.Pages.LoadFromFile('C:\ReportFile1.rpf'); 

      to load report from a saved file.

We can set some other TRLPreview property and methods at runtime to make fully functional.

Now lets create some reports with using Fortes Report.

1. Create or Design master report with Fortes Report
2. Create or Design master detail report with Fortes Report
3. Create or Design Grouping report with Fortes Report
4. Create or Design Labels with Fortes Report
5. Create or Design own Preview Form using Fortes report