Report Explorer in Bold Reports® Web Report Designer
The Report Explorer panel in Bold Reports® Web Report Designer shows the report layout in a hierarchical format, so you can move easily between report items. With built-in search, selection indicators, and action options, you can manage and remove report items efficiently.
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How do I open Report Explorer?
You open the Report Explorer in Web Report Designer by clicking the Report Explorer icon in the Data Configuration panel.
To close the Report Explorer panel, click the Report Explorer icon again.
What are the key features of Report Explorer?
Report Explorer in Web Report Designer offers a persistent panel, a hierarchical display, dynamic updates, search, and edit and delete actions for report items.
Persistent Panel
The Report Explorer panel in Web Report Designer stays open until you close it, so your workflow is not interrupted.
Hierarchical Display
Report Explorer in Web Report Designer displays a tree view of a report’s RDL structure. It organizes elements under sections like Report, Header, Body, and Footer for easy navigation.
Each report element is identified by its name and type. In the image below, the image icon and the label (Image) indicate the type of the report item, and Logo_Image is its name.
Dynamic Updates
The Report Explorer panel in Web Report Designer updates in real time as you modify the report in the design area.
When you add a new report item, it immediately appears in the Report Explorer hierarchy. It shows its position within sections such as Header, Body, or Footer.
In the image below, a Rectangle and a TextBox report item are added. These items are listed under the Body section in the panel.
When you remove a report item from the design surface, it is instantly removed from the Report Explorer. The panel always reflects the current structure of the report.
In the image below, the Rectangle report item is deleted from the design surface and is no longer visible in the panel.
Selecting a report item in the design area automatically highlights the matching item in the Report Explorer. A background color indicates the selection, linking the design surface and the panel.
In the image below, the Textbox report item is selected in the design area, so the background highlight is applied to the Textbox node in the panel.
When you select a child item in the design area, the parent node in the hierarchy automatically expands to reveal it. In the image below, the Rectangle item inside the Tablix is selected, so the Tablix node is expanded in the panel.
Search Functionality
The search feature in the Report Explorer panel helps you quickly find specific report elements. When you search for a report item by name, the results appear in a parent-child hierarchy. You can then see the item’s exact position within the report structure.
If no results are found, a No matches found message appears in the Report Explorer panel.
Edit Item Properties
The Edit option in Report Explorer gives quick access to the properties of the selected report item. You do not need to locate the item on the design surface manually. The Edit icon appears when you hover over an item in the tree view.
Clicking the Edit icon displays the item properties in the property panel. You can edit them without extra navigation steps.
Delete Item
The Delete option in Report Explorer removes a report item from the design surface. The delete option does not apply to Report, Header, Body, and Footer. The Delete icon appears when you hover over an item in the tree view.
Clicking the Delete icon removes the item from both the design surface and the Report Explorer, keeping them synchronized. The panel always reflects the current structure of the report after deletion.
Frequently asked questions
Can I delete the Header or Body from Report Explorer?
No. The delete option does not apply to Report, Header, Body, and Footer.
Does Report Explorer close when I click the design surface?
No. The Report Explorer panel stays open until you close it by clicking the Report Explorer icon again.