Bind a Report to Multiple Data Tables

• Mar 11, 2023
• 3 minutes to read

This tutorial shows you step-by-step how to include data from two (or more) unrelated data tables in a single report. In this topic, the data tables are from the same data source. For information on how to bind a report to different data sources, review the following help topic: Bind a Report to Multiple Data Sources.

1. Create a new application or open an existing application. For more information, review the following help topic: Get Started with DevExpress Reporting.

2. Add a new blank report, as described in the following help topic: Create a Report in Visual Studio.

3. Add a data source with two unrelated tables. You can use the Employees and Products tables from the sample Northwind database. For more information on how to add a data source to the report, review the following help topic: Bind a Report to a Database.

   

4. Clear the DataSource and DataMember settings for the report. The settings should be assigned individually to the Detail Report bands, as described later.

   

5. Add a new Detail Report band. To do this, right-click on the Detail report band and select Insert Detail Report | Unbound in the context menu:

   

6. Specify the sqldataSource1 data source and Employees data member for the created DetailReport band:

   

7. Add another new Detail Report band. To do this, right-click the Detail report band and select Insert Detail Report | Unbound in the context menu to create another DetailReportBand at the same level as the first Detail Report band.

   

   Do not right-click a previously created Detail Report band and select Insert Detail Report, as this action creates a nested Detail Report band one level lower.

8. Specify the sqldataSource1 data source and Products data member for the second DetailReport band:

   

9. To force a page break between different data sets in a report, set the Band.PageBreak property of the first DetailReportBand to AfterBand:

   

10. Drag the FirstName and LastName fields from the Employees table in the Field List, and drop them onto the first Detail Report band:

    

11. Drag the ProductName field from the Products table in the Field List and drop it onto the first Detail Report band:

    

12. Switch to the Preview tab and view the result.

    

When you create a reporting application, you might need to modify or configure data sources for your reports at runtime. Refer to the following topic for more information: Manage Data Sources at Runtime.