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V26.1
    • VCL Controls
    What's New
    v26.1 Release Notes
    Version History
    Installation
    Express Cross Platform Library
    ExpressQuantumGrid Suite
    ExpressEditors Library
    ExpressBars Suite
    ExpressCharts Suite
    ExpressDashboards Suite
    ExpressReports Suite
    ExpressRichEditControl Suite
    ExpressSkins Library
    ExpressScheduler Suite
    ExpressSpreadSheet Suite
    ExpressQuantumTreeList Suite
    ExpressPDFViewer Suite
    ExpressPrinting System
    ExpressLayoutControl Suite
    ExpressNavBar Suite
    ExpressPivotGrid Suite
    ExpressVerticalGrid Suite
    ExpressDocking Library
    ExpressMemData
    ExpressDataController
    ExpressSpellChecker Suite
    ExpressMapControl Suite
    ExpressGanttControl Suite
    ExpressGaugeControl Suite
    ExpressTileControl Suite
    ExpressFlowChart Suite
    ExpressFlowChart Editor
    ExpressOrgChart Suite
    ExpressPageControl Suite
    ExpressWizardControl Suite

    v26.1 Release Notes

    • 14 minutes to read

    Tip

    Visit our website to explore new features/capabilities available across the entire DevExpress product line: What’s New in the Latest Version.

    In this topic…

    Accessibility, Microsoft UI Automation, and Keyboard Navigation Enhancements

    Accessibility (A11Y) support remains a primary focus area across all DevExpress product libraries. v26.1 includes accessibility enhancements for the following DevExpress VCL UI components:

    VCL Data Grid
    Master-detail tables, in-place edit forms, and summary/find/filter panels are now exposed as nested UIA nodes for the Data Grid control.
    VCL Tree List
    Bands and summary/find/filter panels are now mapped to corresponding UIA nodes of the Tree List control.
    VCL Data Editors
    We added UI Automation support for more in-place and standalone editors. All newly supported editors allow you to customize UI automation node settings accessible via the Properties.Automation property.

    Full VCL accessibility support is a significant undertaking and requires substantial engineering investments. We expect to improve accessibility support for the DevExpress VCL Scheduler, Pivot Grid, remaining Data Editors (and other controls) throughout 2026.

    Documentation: Accessibility Support

    VCL BI Dashboard (ExpressDashboards) — Official Release

    Our Business Intelligence Dashboard product library (ExpressDashboards) is now ready for production use.

    VCL Dashboards: A Dashboard Content Example

    We finalized APIs/behaviors and implemented the following new features and enhancements.

    New TdxDashboard Class

    Use TdxDashboard APIs to generate and export content in headless/non-visual service applications.

    New Export Methods

    In addition to ExportTo methods, TdxDashboard/TdxDashboardControl now include methods for exporting dashboard content directly to a file (PDF, XLSX, PNG, etc.). These methods accept a file path as the only parameter and do not require additional export options. Refer to the following help topic for additional information: Dashboard Export.

    VCL BI Dashboard Viewer Application Template

    Our new VCL Template Kit includes a template designed to create a BI Dashboard application from scratch with a few clicks. The newly generated RAD Studio project includes minimal component configuration, resources, and sample data.

    VCL BI Dashboards: The Dashboard App Template Page

    Learning Material & Demo Enhancements

    New and updated help topics:

    Tutorials

    Read Tutorial: Create a Dashboard
    Basic Tutorial. Follow this tutorial to create a simple dashboard application: set up a memory-based data source, load JSON data, create Bubble Map and Chart dashboard items, and bind them to data.
    Read Tutorial: Bind a Dashboard to FireDAC Data
    Follow this tutorial to create a dashboard and bind it to data using standard FireDAC components (TFDQuery and TFDConnection) shipped with the RAD Studio IDE>
    Read Tutorial: Bind a Dashboard to a Parametrized Stored Procedure
    Follow this tutorial to create a dashboard, bind it to a parametrized stored procedure, and pas dashboard parameters to that procedure using the Dashboard Designer dialog at design time.

    GitHub-Hosted Examples

    View Example: Pass a Hidden Dashboard Parameter to a SQL Query

    View Example: Store VCL Dashboard layout and state in a database and load it at runtime

    View Example: Generate VCL Dashboards in backend and service applications

    VCL Report Designer & Viewer (ExpressReports) Enhancements

    TdxReportControl — An Embedded VCL Report Viewer for Non-Modal Forms, Tabbed MDI, Page & User Controls

    Our non-visual report generator component now ships with a new VCL Report Viewer UI control — TdxReportControl. Place it on a form, tab, page, or other container to allow users to preview generated content, just like our ExpressReports Demo.

    VCL Reports — The Report Control

    PRNX Support — Save & Load Report Document Layouts with All Required Data

    You can now use LoadDocument and SaveDocument methods to import/export report documents to/from PRNX. PRNX is a zipped XML that describes report layout structure and embeds all required data and images. This format offers additional flexibility for dynamic report generation usage scenarios (using our new TdxReportControl, compared to static/predefined report layouts (REPX) and PDF documents.

    Refer to the following topics for additional information:

    New Export Methods

    In addition to ExportTo methods, the TdxReport component includes methods to export report content directly to a file (PDF, XLSX, PNG, etc.). These methods accept a file path as the only parameter and do not require additional export options. Refer to the following help topic for additional information: Report Export.

    VCL Report Viewer Application Template

    Our new VCL Template Kit includes a template that allows you to create a Report Viewer/Designer application from scratch with a few clicks. The newly generated RAD Studio project includes minimal component configuration, resources, and sample data.

    VCL Reports: The Report App Template Page

    Learning Material & Demo Enhancements

    New and updated help pages:

    Tutorials

    Read Tutorial: Create a Table Report
    Basic Tutorial. Follow this tutorial to create a table report and display it in a VCL application. The tutorial loads JSON data from a remote source, defines a table report layout, and binds it to data using the Report Wizard dialog at design time.
    Read Tutorial: Bind a Report to FireDAC Data
    Follow this tutorial to create a table report and bind it to data using standard FireDAC components (TFDQuery and TFDConnection) shipped with the RAD Studio IDE.
    Read Tutorial: Bind a Report to a Stored Procedure
    Follow this tutorial to create a table report, bind it to a stored database procedure, and pass a report parameter to that procedure using Report Designer and Report Wizard dialogs at design time.
    Read Tutorial: Create a Master-Detail Report
    Follow this tutorial to create a master-detail relationship between two tables in a relational SQL database and display hierarchical data in a table report.
    Read Tutorial: Preview Reports in Tabbed MDI
    Follow this tutorial to create a Tabbed MDI (multi-document interface) Report Viewer application where different tabs allow users to display different data from a relational SQL database in the same report template.

    GitHub-Hosted Examples

    View Example: Filter dataset records and display them in a report using the Report Viewer dialog

    View Example: Store a report layout in a database and load it at runtime

    View Example: Import/save report layouts from/to text files

    View Example: Generate reports in backend and service applications

    View Example: Localize Report Viewer and Report Designer dialogs

    Additional VCL Reports & BI Dashboard Enhancements

    TdxReport

    Handle OnDesignerFormShow and OnViewerFormShow events to customize Report Designer and Report Viewer form settings. You can change caption, dimensions, position, and other settings as needed:

    uses
  dxReport;  // Declares the TdxReport component
//...

procedure TMyForm.dxReport1ViewerFormShow(ASender: TObject; AForm: TForm);
begin
  AForm.Caption := 'My Report Viewer';       // Changes the Report Viewer form caption
  AForm.WindowState := wsNormal;             // Switches from maximized to the normal form state
  AForm.Position := poScreenCenter;          // Centers the dialog on the screen
  AForm.Width := 1200;                       // Specifies the dialog width
  AForm.Height := 800;                       // Specifies the dialog height
end;
    TdxBackendDataSetJSONConnection
    The new AutoRefreshData property allows you to increase data loading/value population speed if source VCL datasets (TDataSet descendants) remain unchanged during the current session.
    TdxBackendDatabaseSQLConnection
    The new DefaultEnableCustomSql global option allows you to enable/disable custom SQL queries for all TdxDashboard/TdxDashboardControl and TdxReport/TdxReportControl components in your project. You can override this global setting at the component level using corresponding EnableCustomSql options.

    We also aligned TdxReport/TdxReportControl APIs with TdxDashboard/TdxDashboardControl components to ensure consistent functionality and behavior.

    API Simplification & Optimization

    We enhanced initial Report and Dashboard component initialization flow so that explicit TdxDashboardControl.Timeout, TdxReport.LoadParametersFromReport, TdxReportParameters.LoadFromLayout calls are no longer necessary. In addition, we added OnExport events to all our components (instead of internal OnBrowserFileDownload).

    Developer Flow Simplification

    • We removed Show Content/Hide Content and Load Parameters From XXX design-time options from TdxReport and TdxDashboardControl components.
    • Dashboard and report components display content immediately after layout or parameter changes (WYSIWYG).

    High DPI and Rendering/Performance

    v26.1 introduces noticeable performance enhancements for VCL apps running on 4K+ displays:

    • Form resize performance on Windows 11 and WXI Compact is now 30 – 35% better for TdxRibbonForm (with rounded corners and other default settings).
    • We optimized skinned forms and vector-based UI elements. As a result, our Mail Client demo forms are rendered 10 – 20% faster.
    • The new TdxWindowFrame shadow behaves like the native OS shadow, but is up to 10× faster compared to our previous implementation. It includes an expanded resize zone, distinct rendering for active and inactive forms, and is always applied on Windows 11 (and on Windows 10 for forms with square corners).

    VCL Forms — Resize Zone Comparison

    VCL Forms — Shadow Rendering Comparison

    Fluent UI Support — Replicate Modern Microsoft Outlook and Teams User Interfaces

    We are working hard to align DevExpress-powered VCL applications with modern Windows UI standards inspired by Microsoft Fluent 2 and recent Outlook and Teams apps. Our goal is to allow VCL developers to adopt modern visual language progressively, without forcing large-scale rewrites or breaking existing user experiences.

    VCL Layout Control — Rounded Mode

    The DevExpress Layout Control can now render rounded corners and padding around individual UI elements (layout groups and embedded controls) whenever the WXI or WXI Compact skin is used.

    You can activate Rounded Mode globally or at the individual layout group/item level using RoundedMode[1] properties.

    VCL Office Navigation Bar Enhancements

    Our VCL Office Navigation Bar (TdxNavBarOfficeNavigationBar) can now serve as a side navigation or status panel (Microsoft Outlook-inspired).

    Use OptionsView.Orientation and OptionsView.ItemRotation properties to position the component vertically and change UI/glyph orientation.

    Updated Mail Client Demo

    Our Mail Client Demo (shipped as part of our compiled demo set) includes a new Outlook-inspired appearance:

    VCL Fluent UI: DevExpress Mail Client Demo

    We will continue work on Fluent UI support in our v26.2 release cycle.

    VCL Template Kit — Cut Time to Market with Project and Form Templates

    v26.1 ships with a VCL Template Kit designed to quickly create common application types and frequently used UI forms. The Template Kit includes both project and form templates, allowing you to scaffold complete applications or add new forms and modules to existing projects. Like its DevExpress .NET counterpart, our VCL Template Kit addresses typical business usage scenarios (such as data-centric forms, master-detail layouts, and common navigation patterns).

    VCL Template Kit — App Builder

    Our goal is to:

    • Reduce time spent on repetitive project and form setup (for example, 1-2 clicks instead of minutes-hours).
    • Encapsulate DevExpress VCL best practices introduced in recent releases. For instance, accessibility, a global Skin controller/vector skins, modern Fluent UI layouts, a single SVG image list for menu and navigation (instead of multiple lists with duplicate images).
    • Improve onboarding for new VCL developers while boosting productivity in experienced teams (for example, get started with our VCL Reporting and BI Dashboard platforms or DevExpress AI-powered smart functions).

    Available App Generation Options

    VCL Application Builder
    Allows you to build modular/multi-view applications from scratch – from selecting the desired navigation structure to adding one or more views with pre-configured DevExpress UI controls based on project requirements.
    Toolbar/UI Application Templates
    Generate a pre-configured blank form with a Ribbon or Toolbar UI, ready for integration with a DevExpress UI control.
    UI Control-Specific Templates
    Generate fully-functional app projects with a Ribbon UI/Navigation Bar and an integrated DevExpress UI control (BI Dashboard Viewer, Rich Text Editor, Spreadsheet, Scheduler, etc.).
    Form Creation Templates
    Add a pre-configured form with a Ribbon/Toolbar UI and a DevExpress UI control to an existing app project.

    Tip

    Refer to the following help topic for a complete list of available form and application templates: VCL Template Kit.

    VCL Splash Form Manager (CTP)

    In v26.1, we introduced a VCL Splash Form Manage (TdxSplashFormManager) designed to simplify the creation and management of loading forms (aka splash screens, loading panels, wait and overlay forms). This new component provides a centralized and consistent way to display splash screens during application startup or long-running operations.

    VCL Application: A Splash Form Example

    As you would expect, the TdxSplashFormManager API and its capabilities are similar to its .NET WinForms/WPF counterpart. The Project Settings dialog includes customizable splash form templates to get started in a few clicks.

    VCL Application: The "Project Settings" Dialog — Splash Forms

    TdxSplashFormManager is available as a Community Technology Preview in our v26.1 release cycle.

    uses
  dxSplashForms;   // Declares the TdxSplashFormManager class
// ...

  TdxSplashFormManager.WaitForm.Show(MyMainForm1);
  // Time-consuming operation code ...
  TdxSplashFormManager.WaitForm.Hide;

    Key goals for the VCL Splash Form Manager include:

    • Simplified splash screen design, invocation, progress update and shutdown (with support for background operations/threads)
    • Better integration with modern VCL rendering in high-DPI environments (vector skins, animations, multiple appearance options)
    • Improved consistency across applications that require startup or progress UI (reusable form templates and RAD Studio integration)

    The VCL Splash Form Manager reduces boilerplate code and improves maintainability while delivering a polished user experience in data-centric applications. Even with AI coding assistants today, generating splash screens yourself across your application can easily go wrong due to Win32 API or known VCL multi-threading quirks (a real community example). With our new component, DevExpress VCL developers will no longer deal with low-level window lifecycle (such as main UI thread message loop) and repeatable ad-hoc logic (such as fade-in and fade-out animations) – they will focus on top-level design and business logic only.

    VCL Application: The "Splash Form Designer" Dialog

    Documentation: Splash Forms | Project Settings

    BBCode-Inspired Rich Text Formatting for Additional UI Elements

    With v26.1, we extended BBCode support across a wider range of VCL UI elements and captions: TcxButton, TcxGridLayoutView/TcxGridDBLayoutView/TcxGridTableView/TcxGridDBTableView/TcxGridServerModeTableView, and column headers across these views. Use BBCode-inspired formatting to improve visual expressiveness/clarity in your data‑centric/information‑dense DevExpress-powered VCL application (without the use of custom draw logic). New formatting options are fully backward‑compatible with applications that display plain text captions.

    VCL Application: BBCode-Formatted Buttons

    Hints in BBCode-Formatted Text

    You can now add hints to BBCode-formatted text using our new HINT markup tag. The tag can be combined with hyperlinks (to redefine hyperlink hints) and other markup tags.

    [URL=https://devexpress.com][HINT=DevExpress Website]www.devexpress.com[/HINT][/URL]

    VCL Application: Formatted Text Label Displays a Hint

    New OnHintedTextClick, OnHintedTextMouseEnter, OnHintedTextMouseLeave, and OnShowTextHint events are now available for both the Layout Control and formatted labels. These events allow you to customize hint behavior. For instance, you can replace hint text at runtime.

    procedure TForm1.dxFormattedLabel1PropertiesFormattedTextShowTextHint(
  Sender: TObject; AArgs: TdxShowTextHintEventArgs);
begin
  AArgs.Hint := FormatDateTime('mm/dd/yyyy hh:nn:ss am/pm', Now);
end;

    VCL Formatted Text Editor — Hint Displays Current Date and Time

    Documentation: BBCode-Inspired Formatting | Supported Controls

    RAD Studio v13.1 Support

    Our most recent release (VCL v26.1.2+) officially supports recent versions of RAD Studio (Delphi 13.1 and C++Builder 13.1 for both 32-bit and 64-bit compilers).

    Native Windows on ARM Compiler (Arm64EC)

    Windows ARM 64-bit support (introduced in RAD Studio 13.1) is available as a Community Technology Preview in our v26.1 release cycle. Our ARM support includes installer and IDE integration along with basic/manual tests of our demos and internal apps. We will continue research and analysis/testing for our v26.2 major release.

    Footnotes

    1. Use the following links to navigate to corresponding topic descriptions:

    See Also