Print data in a table like format

Question

So i have some data stored into an object, and I need to retrieve the data and output it in a table like format. I have tried using format specifiers and due to the width of characters the information changes. I need to create something similar to a table, return that object, and then be able to print the information on a piece of paper without printing cell lines. I have tried a data table but I can't see the info in the table. what is the easiest way to do this? It is a windows form application. The user is saving the information in 3 classes. using a list. I have tried using spaces and \t to tab the format. But depending on the width of the character the formatting is off by a few spaces. Also the length of the data can go back and forth between 1-3 characters.

Need more details. With what you have given me all I can tell you is "Generate a custom object storage method and a custom printout method that you can format how you want it" We do not know the structure of the object or the data, so we can't get any more specific with the answers...or at least, I can't. — Nevyn, Feb 04 '13 at 18:31
depending on how much time / effort you can invest on this and on how nice the output should be, you can either create an html file (easily, as it is simply a matter of rendering your content with a string.ToFormat and add the table related tags) or use a report engine. for professional level reports, DevExpress XtraReports is very powerful, or have a look here: http://stackoverflow.com/questions/788923/reporting-free-open-source-alternatives-to-crystal-reports-in-winforms — Davide Piras, Feb 04 '13 at 18:32

score 1 · Answer 1 · edited Feb 04 '13 at 19:00

1

Just populate a datatable from the object and set the datagridview source to the datatable.

public class Form1
{
    public void BuildDataTable()
    {
        DataTable dt = new DataTable("Customers");  
        dt.Columns.Add(new DataColumn("LastName")); 
        dt.Columns.Add(new DataColumn("FirstName")); 

        // Populate the table 
        dt.Rows.Add("Baggins", "Bilbo");
    }


    private void Button2_Click(System.Object sender, System.EventArgs e)
    {
        PrintDocument1.Print();
    }

    private void PrintDocument1_PrintPage(object sender, PrintPageEventArgs e)
    {
         Bitmap bm = new Bitmap(this.DataGridView1.Width, this.DataGridView1.Height);
         DataGridView1.DrawToBitmap(bm, new Rectangle(0, 0, this.DataGridView1.Width, this.DataGridView1.Height));
         e.Graphics.DrawImage(bm, 0, 0);
    }
}

edited Feb 04 '13 at 19:00

Sergey Berezovskiy

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answered Feb 04 '13 at 18:31

will simmons

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I have the code to print out the data to the paper written, i need the code to generate the table like format of the data – Feb 04 '13 at 18:36
Check my revised answer above. – will simmons Feb 04 '13 at 18:57
How do you check to see that the table values are in the right spot while debugging? – Feb 05 '13 at 08:59
what if data grid has scroll bar and some rows are hidden?? – Navid_pdp11 Apr 03 '16 at 14:44

Print data in a table like format

1 Answers1