FR3 File – What is .fr3 file and how to open it?


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FR3 File Extension

FastReport Form File – file format by Fast Reports

FR3 is a file extension used by FastReports, a reporting tool for Delphi and Lazarus. It is used to store form files, which contain the design of a report, including the layout of controls, data sources, and formatting.

FR3 File Format

An FR3 file is a FastReport Form File created using Fast Reports, a reporting tool for Delphi and Lazarus. It stores the layout and design of a report, including elements such as text, images, tables, and charts. FR3 files allow developers to quickly and easily create complex reports with custom formatting and data binding.

Features of FR3 Files

FR3 files offer various features to enhance report design and functionality. They support multi-column and banded layouts, enabling flexible report structures. FR3 files also allow for dynamic data binding, connecting reports to data sources such as databases or XML files. Additionally, they provide extensive customization options for fonts, colors, and styles, ensuring reports meet specific design requirements.

Using FastReport Software

The primary method for opening FR3 files is through FastReport, a comprehensive reporting tool developed by Fast Reports. FastReport provides a user-friendly interface for creating, editing, and viewing FR3 files. To open an FR3 file in FastReport, simply double-click on the file or select it from the “File” menu within FastReport. The software will load the file and display it in the main editing window, allowing you to view and modify the report’s design and data.

Using Other Compatible Applications

While FastReport is the recommended application for opening FR3 files, there are a few other software programs that can also handle this file format. One such application is FR3 Viewer, a free and lightweight tool specifically designed for viewing FR3 files. FR3 Viewer does not offer the same range of editing capabilities as FastReport, but it allows users to quickly browse and print FR3 reports. Additionally, some general-purpose file viewers, such as TextEdit (Mac) or Notepad++ (Windows), may be able to open and display the text content of FR3 files, although they may not support the full formatting and functionality of the report.

File Format and Structure

FR3 files are proprietary binary files that contain the design and layout of a report created using Fast Reports, a popular report generation tool. They store various elements necessary for report creation, including data source information, bands (header, footer, detail, etc.), controls (text, images, charts), and formatting attributes. FR3 files are structured in a hierarchical manner, with each element occupying a specific position within the file.

Usage and Compatibility

FR3 files are used exclusively by Fast Reports and are not compatible with other software. They serve as the primary format for storing and loading report designs within the Fast Reports environment. Developers can create and modify FR3 files using Fast Reports’ visual designer, which provides a user-friendly interface for designing complex reports. These files can then be used to generate reports in various formats, such as PDF, HTML, XLS, and RTF.

Other Extensions