Binding RDLC Report to Windows Form

What You Need

• ReportViewer control - The visual control that shows the report
• RDLC report file - The report you designed
• Dataset with data - The data to fill the report
• Data source binding - Connecting the data to the report

Step 1 — Add ReportViewer Control

// Install NuGet Package
Install-Package Microsoft.ReportingServices.ReportViewerControl.WinForms

// Add to Toolbox
1. Right-click Toolbox → Choose Items
2. Select Microsoft Report Viewer

Step 2 — Configure the Form

// Form Designer
public partial class ReportForm : Form
{
    public ReportForm()
    {
        InitializeComponent();
    }
}

Step 3 — Load and Bind the Report

private void ReportForm_Load(object sender, EventArgs e)
{
    // Create dataset
    DataSet dataSet = new DataSet();
    DataTable productsTable = GetProductData();
    dataSet.Tables.Add(productsTable);
    
    // Configure report viewer
    reportViewer1.Reset();
    reportViewer1.ProcessingMode = ProcessingMode.Local;
    
    // Load report
    reportViewer1.LocalReport.ReportPath = "ProductReport.rdlc";
    
    // Set data source
    reportViewer1.LocalReport.DataSources.Clear();
    reportViewer1.LocalReport.DataSources.Add(
        new ReportDataSource("ProductDataSet", dataSet.Tables[0]));
    
    // Refresh report
    reportViewer1.RefreshReport();
}

Step 4 — Get Data from Database

private DataTable GetProductData()
{
    DataTable table = new DataTable();
    
    string connectionString = "Server=localhost;Database=MyApp;Trusted_Connection=True;";
    string query = "SELECT ProductId, Name, Price, Description, Category FROM Products";
    
    using (SqlConnection conn = new SqlConnection(connectionString))
    {
        using (SqlDataAdapter adapter = new SqlDataAdapter(query, conn))
        {
            adapter.Fill(table);
        }
    }
    
    return table;
}

Step 5 — Complete Code Example

using Microsoft.Reporting.WinForms;
using System.Data;
using System.Data.SqlClient;
using System.Windows.Forms;

public partial class ReportForm : Form
{
    public ReportForm()
    {
        InitializeComponent();
    }
    
    private void ReportForm_Load(object sender, EventArgs e)
    {
        LoadReport();
    }
    
    private void LoadReport()
    {
        try
        {
            DataTable data = GetProductData();
            
            reportViewer1.Reset();
            reportViewer1.ProcessingMode = ProcessingMode.Local;
            reportViewer1.LocalReport.ReportPath = "ProductReport.rdlc";
            
            ReportDataSource dataSource = new ReportDataSource("ProductDataSet", data);
            reportViewer1.LocalReport.DataSources.Clear();
            reportViewer1.LocalReport.DataSources.Add(dataSource);
            
            reportViewer1.SetDisplayMode(DisplayMode.PrintLayout);
            reportViewer1.ZoomMode = ZoomMode.Percent;
            reportViewer1.ZoomPercent = 100;
            
            reportViewer1.RefreshReport();
        }
        catch (Exception ex)
        {
            MessageBox.Show($"Error loading report: {ex.Message}", "Error", 
                MessageBoxButtons.OK, MessageBoxIcon.Error);
        }
    }
    
    private DataTable GetProductData()
    {
        DataTable table = new DataTable();
        string connectionString = "Server=localhost;Database=MyApp;Trusted_Connection=True;";
        string query = "SELECT ProductId, Name, Price, Description, Category FROM Products";
        
        using (SqlConnection conn = new SqlConnection(connectionString))
        using (SqlDataAdapter adapter = new SqlDataAdapter(query, conn))
        {
            adapter.Fill(table);
        }
        
        return table;
    }
}