Printing a databound grid/table

Question

Hi,

I need to print a business report from a Win8 App. The report contains a multi-column table filled with some details. I need to create the table (with all the edges just like a grid) and fill out the cells with data.

I know how to create the report in Win8 App and how to bind data. The question is what control I should use to create the grid-like table? I have tried ListBox and ListView but they do not render well when printed and they do not have the edges.

Any suggestions?

Thanks,

Leszek

 

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Wiki: wbswiki.com
Website: www.wisenheimerbrainstorm.com

Answer 1

ListBox or ListView with an appropriate template are the closest you'll get to an in-box control which looks like a grid. You can style each row to fill out its columns in a grid-like way, or you can be more freeform if that matches the data better.

What specific problems do you have with printing them?

--Rob

Answer 2

There are two main problems with the ListBox and ListView:

- Paging - the ListBox and ListView span multiple pages. In order to calculate the number of pages and create a print preview I need to have more control over what is rendered.

- ListBox and ListView are UI controls designed for touch - the items have wide padding and margins. I tried to customize the list items using templates but the padding and margins remain.

Thanks,

Leszek

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Wiki: wbswiki.com
Website: www.wisenheimerbrainstorm.com

Answer 3

This is a real-life project. I had to proceed and I found a solution on the Internet.

- Paging: this great article has a solution: http://blogs.u2u.be/diederik/post/2013/05/21/Printing-a-XAML-ItemsControl-from-a-Windows-8-Store-app.aspx

- ListBox/ListView formatting: use the ItemsControl instead.

Thanks,

Leszek

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Wiki: wbswiki.com
Website: www.wisenheimerbrainstorm.com