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How to create local reports RDLC featuring barcode images in .NET Windows Forms

Prerequisites
  • Neodynamic Barcode Professional 3.0 (or greater) for Windows Forms (WinControl)
  • Microsoft .NET Framework 2.0 (or greater)
  • Microsoft Visual Studio 2005 or Visual Studio 2005 Express Editions (Visual Basic 2005 Express, Visual C# 2005 Express, etc). NOTE: For Express Editions, installing the free add-in for ReportViewer is mandatory.
  • Microsoft SQL Server 2005 (any version) with AdventureWorks Database sample installed
In the following Step-By-Step Guide we're going to create a local report (RDLC file) which features barcoding capabilities by using Barcode Professional for .NET Windows Forms.
Follow these steps:
Using ADO.NET DataTables as data source of my local report
Follow these steps:
  • Add a new DataSet item to the project and name it AdventureWorks.xsd

    Adding a Typed DataSet
    Adding a Typed DataSet


  • Add a new TableAdapter to the DataSet (Right-clicking on the DataSet design surface and selecting Add > TableAdapter... or by dragging & dropping a TableAdapter from the Toolbox).

    Adding a TableAdapter to the AdventureWorks DataSet
    Adding a TableAdapter to the AdventureWorks DataSet


    Follow the wizard steps. In the first step, please create a connection to the AdventureWorks SQL Server Database sample and click Next. In the second step, choose "Use SQL statements" and click Next. After that, please enter the following SQL Statement:

    SELECT ProductID, Name, ProductModel FROM Production.vProductAndDescription WHERE (CultureID = N'en')


    Specifying a SQL Statement that returns AdventureWorks Product info
    Specifying a SQL Statement that returns AdventureWorks Product info


  • After that, add a new custom Column to the DataTable just created and name it Barcode as is shown in the following figure

    Adding a new Column to the DataTable for barcoding purpose
    Adding a new Column to the DataTable for barcoding purpose


  • Change the data type of the Barcode column to System.Byte[] (Array of Byte). NOTE: the System.Byte[] data type is not listed and thus why you must type it manually.

    Setting up the Barcode Column to System.Byte[] data type
    Setting up the Barcode Column to System.Byte[] data type


  • Save the AdventureWorks.xsd file.
  • Now add a new Report item to the project.

    Adding a local report (RDLC) to the project
    Adding a local report (RDLC) to the project


  • The data source for the report should look like the following figure. NOTE: You can display Data Sources Window by selecting Data menu and then Show Data Sources (Shift+Alt+D)

    The DataSet is available to be used in the report
    The DataSet is available to be used in the report


  • Please design the report so it looks like the following figure.

    The barcode report layout
    The barcode report layout


    The report features a Table item with 3 columns:

    1º Column: It holds an Image item. Drag & drop an Image item into it and set its properties as is shown in the following figure. Notice that Value property of the Image item is bound to the Barcode column.

    The Image item's properties. The Value property is bound to Barcode Column.
    The Image item's properties. The Value property is bound to Barcode Column.


    2º Column: It holds the Name field

    3º Column: It holds the ProductModel field
  • Save the report.
  • Now Create/Open a Windows Form at design time and drag & drop a ReportViewer control onto it and set the local report to display.

    A ReportViewer control to display the barcode report
    A ReportViewer control to display the barcode report


  • After that, from the Solution Explorer, add a reference to Barcode Professional for Windows Forms assembly: Neodynamic.WinControls.Barcodeprofessional.dll
  • Write the following code in the Form_Load event procedure.
    Visual Basic .NET 
    Private Sub Form1_Load(ByVal sender As Object, ByVal e As System.EventArgs) Handles Me.Load

    'Fill the datasource from DB

    Me.vProductAndDescriptionTableAdapter.Fill(Me.AdventureWorks.vProductAndDescription)

    'Create an instance of Barcode Professional

    Dim bcp As New Neodynamic.WinControls.BarcodeProfessional.BarcodeProfessional()
    'Barcode settings

    bcp.Symbology = Neodynamic.WinControls.BarcodeProfessional.Symbology.Code128
    bcp.BarHeight = 0.25F

    'Update DataTable with barcode image

    Dim row As AdventureWorks.vProductAndDescriptionRow
    
    For Each row In Me.AdventureWorks.vProductAndDescription.Rows
        'Set the value to encode

        bcp.Code = row.ProductID.ToString()
        'Generate the barcode image and store it into the Barcode Column

        row.Barcode = bcp.GetBarcodeImage(System.Drawing.Imaging.ImageFormat.Png)
    Next
        
    Me.reportViewer1.RefreshReport()
End Sub
    Visual C# .NET 
    private void Form1_Load(object sender, EventArgs e)
{
    //Fill the datasource from DB    
    this.vProductAndDescriptionTableAdapter.Fill(this.AdventureWorks.vProductAndDescription);

    //Create an instance of Barcode Professional
    Neodynamic.WinControls.BarcodeProfessional.BarcodeProfessional bcp = new Neodynamic.WinControls.BarcodeProfessional.BarcodeProfessional();
    //Barcode settings
    bcp.Symbology = Neodynamic.WinControls.BarcodeProfessional.Symbology.Code128;
    bcp.BarHeight = 0.25f;

    //Update DataTable with barcode image
    foreach(AdventureWorks.vProductAndDescriptionRow row in this.AdventureWorks.vProductAndDescription.Rows)
    {
        //Set the value to encode
        bcp.Code = row.ProductID.ToString();
        //Generate the barcode image and store it into the Barcode Column
        row.Barcode = bcp.GetBarcodeImage(System.Drawing.Imaging.ImageFormat.Png);
    }
        
    this.reportViewer1.RefreshReport();
}
  • That's it. Run your application. You should get the barcode images displayed on the report.


    The local report featuring barcodes generated by Barcode Professional
    The local report featuring barcodes generated by Barcode Professional


    ReportViewer control lets you to export the displayed report to Acrobat PDF as well as Microsoft Excel XLS. In both cases the barcode images are maintained.


    The local report in Acrobat PDF format featuring barcodes generated by Barcode Professional
    The local report in Acrobat PDF format featuring barcodes generated by Barcode Professional


    TIP: How to export to Acrobat PDF the Local Report with Barcode images without Preview
    The following walkthrough shows how to programmatically export a local report to PDF without viewing it.
    Follow these steps:
    • Add a new Windows Form to the project and drag & drop a Button control onto it as is shown in the following figure.

      A simple Windows Form to programmatically export a local report to PDF without viewing it
      A simple Windows Form to programmatically export a local report to PDF without viewing it


    • Be sure your project is referencing the following assemblies:

      Microsoft.ReportViewer.Common.dll
      Microsoft.ReportViewer.WinForms.dll
      Neodynamic.WinControls.BarcodeProfessional.dll
    • Double click on the Button control and write the following code in the Button1_Click event procedure.
      Visual Basic .NET 
      Private Sub Button1_Click(ByVal sender As Object, ByVal e As System.EventArgs) Handles Me.Button1.Click

    'Create an instance of ReportViewer

    Dim viewer As New Microsoft.Reporting.WinForms.ReportViewer()

    'Set local report
    'NOTE: LocalReportWithBarcode refers to the namespace for the app.

    viewer.LocalReport.ReportEmbeddedResource = "LocalReportWithBarcode.Report1.rdlc"

    'Generate Data Source...
    'Fill the datasource from DB

    Dim ta As New AdventureWorksTableAdapters.vProductAndDescriptionTableAdapter()
    Dim dt As New AdventureWorks.vProductAndDescriptionDataTable()
    ta.Fill(dt)

    'Create an instance of Barcode Professional

    Dim bcp As New Neodynamic.WinControls.BarcodeProfessional.BarcodeProfessional()
    'Barcode settings

    bcp.Symbology = Neodynamic.WinControls.BarcodeProfessional.Symbology.Code128
    bcp.BarHeight = 0.25F

    'Update DataTable with barcode image

    Dim row As AdventureWorks.vProductAndDescriptionRow
    
    For Each row In dt.Rows
        'Set the value to encode

        bcp.Code = row.ProductID.ToString()
        'Generate the barcode image and store it into the Barcode Column

        row.Barcode = bcp.GetBarcodeImage(System.Drawing.Imaging.ImageFormat.Png)
    Next

    'Create Report Data Source

    Dim rptDataSource As New Microsoft.Reporting.WinForms.ReportDataSource("AdventureWorks_vProductAndDescription", dt)
    viewer.LocalReport.DataSources.Add(rptDataSource)

    'Export to PDF. Get binary content.

    Dim pdfContent As Byte() = viewer.LocalReport.Render("PDF", Nothing, Nothing, Nothing, Nothing, Nothing, Nothing)

    'Creatr PDF file on disk

    Dim pdfPath As String = "C:\temp\reportBarcode.pdf"
    Dim pdfFile As New System.IO.FileStream(pdfPath, System.IO.FileMode.Create)
    pdfFile.Write(pdfContent, 0, pdfContent.Length)
    pdfFile.Close()

    'Open PDF file

    System.Diagnostics.Process.Start(pdfPath)

End Sub
      Visual C# .NET 
      private void button1_Click(object sender, EventArgs e)
{
    //Create an instance of ReportViewer
    Microsoft.Reporting.WinForms.ReportViewer viewer = new Microsoft.Reporting.WinForms.ReportViewer();

    //Set local report
    //NOTE: LocalReportWithBarcode refers to the namespace for the app.
    viewer.LocalReport.ReportEmbeddedResource = "LocalReportWithBarcode.Report1.rdlc";

    //Generate Data Source...
    //Fill the datasource from DB
    AdventureWorksTableAdapters.vProductAndDescriptionTableAdapter ta = new AdventureWorksTableAdapters.vProductAndDescriptionTableAdapter();
    AdventureWorks.vProductAndDescriptionDataTable dt = new AdventureWorks.vProductAndDescriptionDataTable();
    ta.Fill(dt);

    //Create an instance of Barcode Professional
    Neodynamic.WinControls.BarcodeProfessional.BarcodeProfessional bcp = new Neodynamic.WinControls.BarcodeProfessional.BarcodeProfessional();
    //Barcode settings
    bcp.Symbology = Neodynamic.WinControls.BarcodeProfessional.Symbology.Code128;
    bcp.BarHeight = 0.25f;

    //Update DataTable with barcode image
    foreach(AdventureWorks.vProductAndDescriptionRow row in dt.Rows)
    {
        //Set the value to encode
        bcp.Code = row.ProductID.ToString();
        //Generate the barcode image and store it into the Barcode Column
        row.Barcode = bcp.GetBarcodeImage(System.Drawing.Imaging.ImageFormat.Png);
    }

    //Create Report Data Source
    Microsoft.Reporting.WinForms.ReportDataSource rptDataSource = new Microsoft.Reporting.WinForms.ReportDataSource("AdventureWorks_vProductAndDescription", dt);
    viewer.LocalReport.DataSources.Add(rptDataSource);

    //Export to PDF. Get binary content.
    string mimeType;
    string encoding;
    string fileNameExtension;
    string[] streams;
    Microsoft.Reporting.WinForms.Warning[] warnings;

    byte[] pdfContent = viewer.LocalReport.Render("PDF", null, out mimeType, out encoding, out fileNameExtension, out streams, out warnings);

    //Creatr PDF file on disk
    string pdfPath = @"C:\temp\reportBarcode.pdf";
    System.IO.FileStream pdfFile = new System.IO.FileStream(pdfPath, System.IO.FileMode.Create);
    pdfFile.Write(pdfContent, 0, pdfContent.Length);
    pdfFile.Close();

    //Open PDF file
    System.Diagnostics.Process.Start(pdfPath);

}
    • That's it. Run your project opening the last form and click on the button to generate the PDF version for the barcode report.

      The local report featuring barcodes exported to PDF format without previewing it onto the Windows Form
      The local report featuring barcodes exported to PDF format without previewing it onto the Windows Form


Using Custom Objects as data source of my local report
You can design local reports (RDLC) based on business objects defined in your application. In this scenario, an object data source is simply a collection of arbitrary objects. In this guide, we'll define a custom object with barcoding support that will be used as data source for our report.
Follow these steps:
  • Add a new class item to the project and name it Product.


    Adding a Product Class item
    Adding a Product Class item


    The Product class will feature basic info about products such is ID and Name as well as a special property called Barcode which will hold the barcode image for each product object.


    Please write the following Product class definition:
    Visual Basic .NET 
    Public Class Product

    Dim m_id As String
    Dim m_name As String
    Dim m_barcode As Byte()

    Public Sub New(ByVal id As String, ByVal name As String, ByVal barcode As Byte())
        m_id = id
        m_name = name
        m_barcode = barcode
    End Sub

    Public Property Id() As String
        Get
            Return m_id
        End Get
        Set(ByVal value As String)
            m_id = value
        End Set
    End Property

    Public Property Name() As String
        Get
            Return m_name
        End Get
        Set(ByVal value As String)
            m_name = value
        End Set
    End Property

    Public Property Barcode() As Byte()
        Get
            Return m_barcode
        End Get
        Set(ByVal value As Byte())
            m_barcode = value
        End Set
    End Property

End Class
    Visual C# .NET 
    public class Product
{
    string m_id;
    string m_name;
    byte[] m_barcode;

    public Product(string id, string name, byte[] barcode)
    {
        m_id = id;
        m_name = name;
        m_barcode = barcode;        
    }

    public string Id
    {
        get
        {
            return m_id;            
        }
        set
        {
            m_id = value;
        }
    }

    public string Name
    {
        get
        {
            return m_name;
        }
        set
        {
            m_name = value;
        }
    }

    public byte[] Barcode
    {
        get
        {
            return m_barcode;
        }
        set
        {
            m_barcode = value;
        }
    }
}
  • Save the class file and go to Build menu and click on Build Solution
  • Add a new Report item to the project.

    Adding a local report (RDLC) to the project
    Adding a local report (RDLC) to the project


  • Then, go to Data menu and click on Add new Data Source...

    Selecting Object Data Source for the local report
    Selecting Object Data Source for the local report


    In the Data Source Configuration Wizard choose Object and click Next.

    Choosing Product Class as the Object Data Source
    Choosing Product Class as the Object Data Source


    Select the class you wish to use as a data source (Product in our case) and click Finish. The public properties of the class now appear in the Data Sources window, where they can be dragged and dropped into the report. NOTE: You can display Data Sources Window by selecting Data menu and then Show Data Sources (Shift+Alt+D)

    The Product Class is available to be used in the report
    The Product Class is available to be used in the report


  • Please design the report so it looks like the following figure.

    The barcode report layout
    The barcode report layout


    The report features a Table item with 3 columns:

    1º Column: It holds an Image item. Drag & drop an Image item into it and set its properties as is shown in the following figure. Notice that Value property of the Image item is bound to the Barcode column.

    The Image item's properties. The Value property is bound to Barcode Column.
    The Image item's properties. The Value property is bound to Barcode Column.


    2º Column: It holds the Name field

    3º Column: It holds the Id field
  • Save the report.
  • Create/Open a Windows Form at design time and drag & drop a ReportViewer control onto it and set the local report to display.

    A ReportViewer control to display the barcode report
    A ReportViewer control to display the barcode report


  • After that, from the Solution Explorer, add a reference to Barcode Professional for Windows Forms assembly: Neodynamic.WinControls.Barcodeprofessional.dll
  • Write the following code in the Form_Load event procedure.
    Visual Basic .NET 
    Private Sub Form1_Load(ByVal sender As Object, ByVal e As System.EventArgs) Handles Me.Load

    'Create an instance of Barcode Professional

    Dim bcp = new Neodynamic.WinControls.BarcodeProfessional.BarcodeProfessional()
    'Barcode settings

    bcp.Symbology = Neodynamic.WinControls.BarcodeProfessional.Symbology.Code128
    bcp.BarHeight = 0.25F

    'Fill the object datasource. 
    'NOTE: You may connect to a SQL Server Database and create Product objects based on data returned from such source.

    Dim data As New List(Of Product)

    'Create random product info

    Dim prodId As String
    Dim prodName As String
    Dim prodBarcode As Byte()
    
    Dim i As Integer = 0

    For i = 1 To 10
        'Random product info

        prodId = Guid.NewGuid().ToString().Substring(0, 10)
        prodName = "Product " + prodId
        'Set the value to encode

        bcp.Code = prodId
        'Generate the barcode image and store it into the Barcode Column

        prodBarcode = bcp.GetBarcodeImage(System.Drawing.Imaging.ImageFormat.Png)

        'Add new product

        data.Add(New Product(prodId, prodName, prodBarcode))
    Next

    'Set object data source

    Me.ProductBindingSource.DataSource = data

    Me.ReportViewer1.RefreshReport()
End Sub
    Visual C# .NET 
    private void Form1_Load(object sender, EventArgs e)
{
    //Create an instance of Barcode Professional
    Neodynamic.WinControls.BarcodeProfessional.BarcodeProfessional bcp = new Neodynamic.WinControls.BarcodeProfessional.BarcodeProfessional();
    //Barcode settings
    bcp.Symbology = Neodynamic.WinControls.BarcodeProfessional.Symbology.Code128;
    bcp.BarHeight = 0.25f;

    //Fill the object datasource. 
    //NOTE: You may connect to a SQL Server Database and create Product objects based on data returned from such source.
    List<Product> data = new List<Product>();

    //Create random product info
    string prodId;
    string prodName;
    byte[] prodBarcode;

    for (int i = 0; i < 10; i++)
    {
        //Random product info
        prodId = Guid.NewGuid().ToString().Substring(0, 10);
        prodName = "Product " + prodId;
        //Set the value to encode
        bcp.Code = prodId;
        //Generate the barcode image and store it into the Barcode Column
        prodBarcode = bcp.GetBarcodeImage(System.Drawing.Imaging.ImageFormat.Png);

        //Add new product
        data.Add(new Product(prodId, prodName, prodBarcode));
    }

    //Set object data source
    this.ProductBindingSource.DataSource = data;

    this.reportViewer1.RefreshReport();
}
  • That's it. Run your application. You should get the barcode images displayed on the report.


    The local report featuring barcodes generated by Barcode Professional
    The local report featuring barcodes generated by Barcode Professional


    ReportViewer control lets you to export the displayed report to Acrobat PDF as well as Microsoft Excel XLS. In both cases the barcode images are maintained.


    The local report in Acrobat PDF format featuring barcodes generated by Barcode Professional
    The local report in Acrobat PDF format featuring barcodes generated by Barcode Professional


    TIP: How to export to Acrobat PDF the Local Report with Barcode images without Preview
    The following walkthrough shows how to programmatically export a local report to PDF without viewing it.
    • Add a new Windows Form to the project and drag & drop a Button control onto it as is shown in the following figure.

      A simple Windows Form to programmatically export a local report to PDF without viewing it
      A simple Windows Form to programmatically export a local report to PDF without viewing it


    • Be sure your project is referencing the following assemblies:

      Microsoft.ReportViewer.Common.dll
      Microsoft.ReportViewer.WinForms.dll
      Neodynamic.WinControls.BarcodeProfessional.dll
    • Double click on the Button control and write the following code in the Button1_Click event procedure.
      Visual Basic .NET 
      Private Sub Button1_Click(ByVal sender As Object, ByVal e As System.EventArgs) Handles Me.Button1.Click

    'Create an instance of ReportViewer

    Dim viewer As New Microsoft.Reporting.WinForms.ReportViewer()

    'Set local report
    'NOTE: LocalReportWithBarcode refers to the namespace for the app.

    viewer.LocalReport.ReportEmbeddedResource = "LocalReportWithBarcode.Report1.rdlc"
                
    'Create an instance of Barcode Professional

    Dim bcp As New Neodynamic.WinControls.BarcodeProfessional.BarcodeProfessional()
    'Barcode settings

    bcp.Symbology = Neodynamic.WinControls.BarcodeProfessional.Symbology.Code128
    bcp.BarHeight = 0.25F

    'Generate Data Source...
    'NOTE: You may connect to a SQL Server Database and create Product objects based on data returned from such source.

    Dim data As New List(Of Product)

    'Create random product info

    Dim prodId As String
    Dim prodName As String
    Dim prodBarcode As Byte()
    
    Dim i As Integer = 0

    For i = 1 To 10
        'Random product info

        prodId = Guid.NewGuid().ToString().Substring(0, 10)
        prodName = "Product " + prodId
        'Set the value to encode

        bcp.Code = prodId
        'Generate the barcode image and store it into the Barcode Column

        prodBarcode = bcp.GetBarcodeImage(System.Drawing.Imaging.ImageFormat.Png)

        'Add new product

        data.Add(New Product(prodId, prodName, prodBarcode))
    Next


    'Create Report Data Source

    Dim rptDataSource As New Microsoft.Reporting.WinForms.ReportDataSource("LocalReportWithBarcode_Product", data)
    viewer.LocalReport.DataSources.Add(rptDataSource)

    'Export to PDF. Get binary content.

    Dim pdfContent As Byte() = viewer.LocalReport.Render("PDF", Nothing, Nothing, Nothing, Nothing, Nothing, Nothing)

    'Creatr PDF file on disk

    Dim pdfPath As String = "C:\temp\reportBarcode.pdf"
    Dim pdfFile As New System.IO.FileStream(pdfPath, System.IO.FileMode.Create)
    pdfFile.Write(pdfContent, 0, pdfContent.Length)
    pdfFile.Close()

    'Open PDF file

    System.Diagnostics.Process.Start(pdfPath)    

End Sub
      Visual C# .NET 
      private void button1_Click(object sender, EventArgs e)
{
    //Create an instance of ReportViewer
    Microsoft.Reporting.WinForms.ReportViewer viewer = new Microsoft.Reporting.WinForms.ReportViewer();

    //Set local report
    //NOTE: LocalReportWithBarcode refers to the namespace for the app.
    viewer.LocalReport.ReportEmbeddedResource = "LocalReportWithBarcode.Report1.rdlc";
                
    //Create an instance of Barcode Professional
    Neodynamic.WinControls.BarcodeProfessional.BarcodeProfessional bcp = new Neodynamic.WinControls.BarcodeProfessional.BarcodeProfessional();
    //Barcode settings
    bcp.Symbology = Neodynamic.WinControls.BarcodeProfessional.Symbology.Code128;
    bcp.BarHeight = 0.25f;

    //Generate Data Source...
    //NOTE: You may connect to a SQL Server Database and create Product objects based on data returned from such source.
    List<Product> data = new List<Product>();

    //Create random product info
    string prodId;
    string prodName;
    byte[] prodBarcode;

    for (int i = 0; i < 10; i++)
    {
        //Random product info
        prodId = Guid.NewGuid().ToString().Substring(0, 10);
        prodName = "Product " + prodId;
        //Set the value to encode
        bcp.Code = prodId;
        //Generate the barcode image and store it into the Barcode Column
        prodBarcode = bcp.GetBarcodeImage(System.Drawing.Imaging.ImageFormat.Png);

        //Add new product
        data.Add(new Product(prodId, prodName, prodBarcode));
    }

    //Create Report Data Source
    Microsoft.Reporting.WinForms.ReportDataSource rptDataSource = new Microsoft.Reporting.WinForms.ReportDataSource("LocalReportWithBarcode_Product", data);
    viewer.LocalReport.DataSources.Add(rptDataSource);

    //Export to PDF. Get binary content.
    string mimeType;
    string encoding;
    string fileNameExtension;
    string[] streams;
    Microsoft.Reporting.WinForms.Warning[] warnings;

    byte[] pdfContent = viewer.LocalReport.Render("PDF", null, out mimeType, out encoding, out fileNameExtension, out streams, out warnings);

    //Creatr PDF file on disk
    string pdfPath = @"C:\temp\reportBarcode.pdf";
    System.IO.FileStream pdfFile = new System.IO.FileStream(pdfPath, System.IO.FileMode.Create);
    pdfFile.Write(pdfContent, 0, pdfContent.Length);
    pdfFile.Close();

    //Open PDF file
    System.Diagnostics.Process.Start(pdfPath);
}
    • That's it. Run your project opening the last form and click on the button to generate the PDF version for the barcode report.

      The local report featuring barcodes exported to PDF format without previewing it onto the Windows Form
      The local report featuring barcodes exported to PDF format without previewing it onto the Windows Form


If you need more information or assistance, please contact our .
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