automating ArcGIS 10 Reports

[JasonScriffignano]

Does anyone know if it is possible to create a button/extension/AddIn in ArcGIS 10 that runs the new Report on a selection in an active Table using a predefind (and saved) report rlf template. Or am I correct in saying the the Report system ESRI have left us with can in no way be automated or controlled with scripting!

[JamesCrandall]

Jason,

I don't have a direct answer to your question, so sorry, and this is probably not what you'd like to get into --- but wanted to mention that I have had some good success in implementing CrystalReports into my ArcGIS/Map customizations.  I realize that CR is a whole other beast to tame, and it can be a big undertaking, but there is a ton of flexibility when utilizing CR because I can mix/mash data coming in from all kinds of sources (typically, I will have a report consisting of selected features and non-spatial SQL Server db's).

Essentially it boils down to utilizing ADO.NET DataSets/DataTables and setting up the CR report with these.  I've added an item to the Arcscripts/CodeGallery that shows how to convert a FeatureClass into an ADO.NET DataTable -- but would need to be modified to use the selected features:

http://resources.arcgis.com/gallery/file/arcobjects-net-api/details?entryID=675318D8-1422-2418-8814-...

(If you do use, please leave a comment!)


Again, not sure just how much you are willing to dive into this stuff as it can get overwhelming --- especially if you are under a time-crunch.  In which case, hopefully someone can point you in the right direction on how to harvest the existing functionality of the native Report generation in ArcGIS.

[JasonScriffignano]

Thanks James. And yes it would be better to use Cryatal Reports, however at ArcGIS 10 ESRI no longer support CR. The problem with using CR if I have an issue ESRI will not assist in in unsupported feature. Interestingly enough, the local ESRI here have sugested using CR even though it is no longer supported! Puzzle me that batman?

There ae no ArcObjects that I can find for controlling the builtin ArcGIS Reports and as such I can't even find a way to create an Add In with something like VisualStudio (not without creating an entire library to control COM which I simply don't have the skills to do!).

I don't want to export to different data type as this will create multiple instances of the source of truth and nor should I have to.  There has to be a way to do this with something a siple as model builderorthe like.