FastReport is a free open source report generator for .NET 6, .NET Core, and .NET Framework that enables applications to create document-like reports with flexible design and multiple export options.
FastReport solves the problem of generating complex, formatted reports in .NET applications by providing a band-oriented architecture with thirteen band types that support diverse report layouts including lists, master-detail structures, groups, and multi-column formats. The tool includes a wide range of report objects such as text, pictures, barcodes, matrices, and tables, and allows reports to span multiple design pages. It connects to numerous data sources including XML, CSV, JSON, relational databases like MS SQL and PostgreSQL, NoSQL databases like MongoDB and RavenDB, and business objects implementing IEnumerable. Reports can be created through code, XML templates, or a visual designer, and include a built-in script engine supporting C# and VB.NET for complex data handling.
Developers should choose FastReport for .NET applications requiring flexible report generation with support for inheritance-based template reuse and configurable matrix objects for pivot tables. The tool suits projects needing to connect to multiple database types or consume various data formats. The project distinguishes itself by offering a community edition designer as freeware and a plugin-based PDF export system, though full-featured PDF export with encryption and digital signing is available in the commercial FastReport .NET Core product.
The project maintains active development with regular updates to its codebase and demonstrates responsiveness to issues and pull requests. The architecture is designed for extensibility, allowing developers to create custom objects, export filters, wizards, and database engines. Documentation includes working examples for common scenarios such as PDF export, and the project provides both a free online designer and downloadable community edition tools for report template development.
