Backend for VCL Reports/Dashboards

• Mar 19, 2026
• 3 minutes to read

This section describes data sources and auxiliary APIs of the backend service used by our ExpressReports and ExpressDashboards Suites. The hybrid ASP.NET Core / VCL implementation allows you to create, design, and preview reports and dashboards within native VCL apps (Delphi and C++Builder RAD Studio projects).

For detailed information about hybrid ASP.NET Core-based VCL architecture, review this FAQ and our VCL backend source code. To review source code locally:

1. Download our Unified Component Installer (.NET/JS).
2. Run the installer and enter your DevExpress account credentials. (Your account must include active VCL and Universal Subscriptions or VCL Subscription+).
3. Select Reporting for ASP.NET and Source Code options.
4. Complete the installation wizard and navigate to the following local folder:

Prerequisites & Deployment

Note

• ExpressReports will require the purchase of our VCL Subscription + OR an active VCL Subscription (regular) with any active .NET subscription that includes DevExpress Reports for ASP.NET/JavaScript (these subscriptions include: Reporting, ASP.NET & Blazor (includes DevExtreme), DXperience, or Universal).
• ExpressDashboards will also require the purchase of our VCL Subscription + OR an active VCL Subscription (regular) with an active Universal Subscription that includes DevExpress Business Intelligence (BI) Dashboard.

Ensure that your development environment meets ExpressDashboards and ExpressReports prerequisites:

1. Microsoft Windows 10 or newer.
2. Embarcadero RAD Studio IDE 12.3 or newer (Community Edition IDEs are not supported).
3. DevExpress VCL v25.2.x.
4. The EdgeView2 SDK package installed from the GetIt package manager.

Tip

Refer to the following help topic for detailed information: VCL Reports/Dashboards App Deployment.

DevExpress VCL Database Connection Management Components

TdxBackendDataConnectionManager

An auxiliary component designed to manage data connection components (available as sources for TdxDashboard/TdxDashboardControl and TdxReport components).

You can create data connection components directly in code, without TdxBackendDataConnectionManager (if required). Refer to data connection class descriptions for detailed information and code examples.

Data Connection Components and Data Sources

TdxBackendDataSetJSONConnection

A component designed to work with data in one or multiple VCL-compatible datasets (TDataSet descendants).

Use the TdxBackendDataSetJSONConnection component if you need to use TdxDashboardControl/TdxDashboard and TdxReport components together with VCL-compatible data sources.

Refer to the following help topic for step-by-step instructions on using the TdxBackendDataSetJSONConnection component in your project:

VCL Reports/Dashboards: How to Use Data Source and Data Set Components

TdxBackendInMemoryJSONConnection

A component designed for interaction with local (in-memory) or remote JSON data accessible through a Web API service endpoint.

Refer to the following help topic for step-by-step instructions on using the TdxBackendInMemoryJSONConnection component as a data source for TdxDashboard/TdxDashboardControl and TdxReport:

VCL Reports/Dashboards: How to Use Memory-Based or Remote API Data Sources

TdxBackendDatabaseSQLConnection

A DevExpress XPO-based component designed to fetch data from the following relational databases:

SQLite | Microsoft SQL Server/Azure SQL | PostgreSQL | Oracle Database | MySQL | Firebird

Tip

This component is based on the DevExpress XPO ORM engine (powered by ADO.NET).

TdxBackendDatabaseSQLConnection has built-in support for Microsoft SQL/Azure SQL and SQLite engines (you can use them without additional dependencies and extra configuration).

Refer to the following topic for a complete list of supported database engines and corresponding connection string examples:

VCL Reports/Dashboards: Supported Database Engines

Related Compiled Demos

To see TdxDashboardControl and TdxReport components in action, run BI Dashboards Designer/Viewer and Report Designer/Viewer demos in the VCL Demo Center installed with compiled DevExpress VCL demos. Click different items in the sidebar on the left to switch between demo features.

Download: Compiled VCL Demos

Tip

You can find full source code for installed compiled Report and Dashboard demos in the following folders:

• _%PUBLIC%\Documents\DevExpress VCL Demos\MegaDemos\Product Demos\ExpressReports_
• _%PUBLIC%\Documents\DevExpress VCL Demos\MegaDemos\Product Demos\ExpressDashboards_

See Also

DevExpress VCL Shared Libraries

VCL Dashboards (BI Dashboard Designer & Viewer) for Delphi/C++Builder

VCL Reports (Report Designer & Viewer) for Delphi/C++Builder