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Pius Richter for combit Software

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Alternative Oracle Database Reporting Tool

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Developers working with Oracle databases often need to generate dashboards, printable reports, exports, or user-editable templates from structured data.

While Oracle Reports remains a known option, it's no longer actively developed. For .NET developers seeking a modern alternative, List & Label is one reporting tool that integrates with Oracle using standard components and libraries.

This article outlines how it works and shows limitations and benefits.

If you would like to test Oracle database reporting with List & Label, get the free trial linked at the end of this article.

How to Generate Reports Using List & Label

How to Connect and Query Oracle Data

List & Label connects directly to Oracle databases, making it possible to evaluate data stored in tables, views, sql statements or returned by executing stored procedures. As a reporting tool with relational database support, it also enables features like drilldown and drill-through for deeper data exploration.

To connect to an Oracle database, List & Label uses the OracleConnectionDataProvider class from the combit.Reporting.DataProviders namespace. This requires the Oracle.ManagedDataAccess NuGet package, which provides access to Oracle's ODP.NET (Oracle Data Provider for .NET). Once set up, the entire Oracle database - including tables and views - can be queried. The code example below shows the steps for establishing the connection and launching the List & Label Designer to create a report.

// Step1: Adding the NuGet packages for List & Label and Oracle 
// and the necessary using statements
using combit.Reporting;
using combit.Reporting.DataProviders;
using Oracle.ManagedDataAccess.Client;

// Step 2: Preparing the connection information for the Oracle database
OracleConnectionStringBuilder oracleConnectionStringBuilder =
    new OracleConnectionStringBuilder
    {
        DataSource = Properties.Resources.OracleInstance,
        UserID = Properties.Resources.OracleUsername,
        Password = Properties.Resources.OraclePassword,
        PersistSecurityInfo = true
    };

// Step 3: Connecting the Oracle connection with the appropriate List & Label data provider 
OracleConnectionDataProvider oracleDataProvider = 
    new OracleConnectionDataProvider(
        oracleConnectionStringBuilder.ConnectionString,
        "HR"
        );

// Step 4: Creating the List & Label object, adding the Oracle data provider 
// and calling the Designer 
using (ListLabel LL = new ListLabel())
{
    LL.DataSource = oracleDataProvider;
    LL.Design();
}
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💡Tip: The article Using the DbCommandSetDataProvider With Stored Procedures shows how easy it is to access stored procedures in an Oracle database. These can then be used as data sources for reports. This also works with Oracle databases. If necessary, just use additional individual SQL statements in the process.

Features and Benefits of Oracle DB Reporting with List & Label

Native Oracle Database Integration via ODP.NET

Advantage: Uses Oracle’s own managed data provider (Oracle.ManagedDataAccess via NuGet).

Benefit: No need for custom drivers or data abstraction layers. Developers can connect directly to Oracle and access tables, views, stored procedures, or SQL statements.

OracleConnectionDataProvider in .NET

Advantage: Exposes Oracle schema as structured objects usable in the List & Label reporting engine.

Benefit: Enables both developers and end-users to select and visualize Oracle data in a report designer interface, without manual object mapping.

WYSIWYG Report Designer

Advantage: GUI-based editor supports tables, charts, barcodes, crosstabs, maps, gauges, subreports and more designer objects.

Benefit: End-users (non-devs) can create or update report templates without needing code changes or development cycles.

Multi-format Export Engine

Advantage: Supports PDF (including ZUGFeRD/XRechnung), Excel, Word, JSON, XML, HTML, CSV, PNG, and more.

Benefit: Reports can be distributed via email, stored as files, embedded in documents, or printed - covering most B2B and internal reporting use cases.

Multi-source Support

Advantage: In addition to Oracle, it supports 30+ other data providers including MSSQL, PostgreSQL, SQLite, CSV, JSON, REST, Entity Framework, and custom objects.

Benefit: Developers building applications with multiple backend systems can unify reporting in one tool, without switching engines.

Use Cases Where It’s Relevant

  • You need to replace or extend legacy Oracle Reports workflows.
  • You want to let users define their own layouts while keeping backend logic in Oracle.
  • You’re building .NET desktop or web apps and want to embed Oracle report generation.
  • You need to export structured Oracle data to industry formats (XLSX, PDF, JSON, etc.).

Limitations to Be Aware Of

  • List & Label is not open-source; licensing applies.
  • It requires a .NET-based development environment.
  • While Oracle-specific, the tool does not depend on Oracle Forms or Oracle APEX.

Summary

If you're searching for an Oracle database reporting tool that integrates directly with Oracle via ODP.NET, supports customizable templates with an powerful designer, and works well in .NET environments, List & Label is one practical option.

It covers typical developer needs - structured access, export options, and template control - without tying you to legacy tooling.

For technical docs or API details:
📖 Online .NET Help
📊 More about List & Label
🧪 Get free List & Label Trial

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