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MIGRATION GUIDES

How to Migrate from SSRS to IronPDF in C#

Curtis Chau
Curtis Chau
Updated:

Migrating from SQL Server Reporting Services (SSRS) to IronPDF transforms your PDF generation workflow from a heavyweight server-based infrastructure to a lightweight, in-process library that can be embedded directly into any .NET application. This guide provides a complete, step-by-step migration path that eliminates SQL Server dependencies, report server overhead, and Microsoft ecosystem lock-in.

Why Migrate from SSRS to IronPDF

Understanding SSRS

SQL Server Reporting Services (SSRS) is Microsoft's enterprise reporting platform that requires significant infrastructure investment. SSRS is a comprehensive reporting platform from Microsoft that provides a complete suite for creating, deploying, and managing reports, offering both feature-rich and interactive report features. Developed as part of the SQL Server ecosystem, SSRS is tightly integrated with Microsoft's database solutions.

However, for many PDF generation scenarios, SSRS infrastructure is excessive. Key reasons to migrate include:

  1. Heavy Infrastructure: Requires SQL Server, Report Server, and IIS configuration
  2. Microsoft Ecosystem Lock-in: Tied to SQL Server licensing and Windows Server
  3. Complex Deployment: Report deployment, security configuration, and subscription management
  4. Expensive Licensing: SQL Server licenses, especially for enterprise features
  5. Limited Web Support: Difficult to integrate with modern SPA frameworks
  6. Maintenance Overhead: Server patching, database maintenance, report management
  7. No Cloud-Native Option: Designed for on-premises, cloud support is awkward

When SSRS is Overkill

Your Need SSRS Overhead
Generate invoices Full report server
Export data tables SQL Server license
Create PDFs from data Windows Server
Simple document generation Report subscriptions

IronPDF provides in-process PDF generation without any server infrastructure.

SSRS vs IronPDF Comparison

Feature SSRS IronPDF
Dependency Requires SQL Server No specific database dependency
Deployment Server-based Library (embedded in applications)
Integration Tight integration with Microsoft Works with any data source
Data Visualization Extensive native options PDF-focused visualizations
Complexity High (server setup required) Moderate to low (library setup)
Cost SQL Server licensing costs Per developer licensing cost
HTML to PDF No Full Chromium
URL to PDF No Yes
CSS Support Limited Full CSS3
JavaScript No Full ES2024

IronPDF, unlike SSRS, is not tied to any specific database or server ecosystem. It provides developers with a flexible library to dynamically create, edit, and manipulate PDF documents directly in C#. This decoupling from a server-based infrastructure offers a noticeable advantage—it is straightforward and adaptable, suitable for a wide array of applications beyond reporting.

For teams planning .NET 10 and C# 14 adoption through 2025 and 2026, IronPDF provides a modern Chromium rendering engine that eliminates the infrastructure complexity of SSRS.

Before You Start

Prerequisites

  1. .NET Environment: .NET Framework 4.6.2+ or .NET Core 3.1+ / .NET 5/6/7/8/9+
  2. NuGet Access: Ability to install NuGet packages
  3. IronPDF License: Obtain your license key from ironpdf.com

NuGet Package Changes

# SSRS has no direct NuGet - it's server-based
# Remove any ReportViewer controls

dotnet remove package Microsoft.ReportingServices.ReportViewerControl.WebForms
dotnet remove package Microsoft.ReportingServices.ReportViewerControl.WinForms

# Install IronPDF
dotnet add package IronPdf
# SSRS has no direct NuGet - it's server-based
# Remove any ReportViewer controls

dotnet remove package Microsoft.ReportingServices.ReportViewerControl.WebForms
dotnet remove package Microsoft.ReportingServices.ReportViewerControl.WinForms

# Install IronPDF
dotnet add package IronPdf
SHELL

License Configuration

// Add at application startup
IronPdf.License.LicenseKey = "YOUR-LICENSE-KEY";
// Add at application startup
IronPdf.License.LicenseKey = "YOUR-LICENSE-KEY";
' Add at application startup
IronPdf.License.LicenseKey = "YOUR-LICENSE-KEY"
$vbLabelText   $csharpLabel

Complete API Reference

Namespace Changes

// Before: SSRS
using Microsoft.Reporting.WebForms;
using Microsoft.Reporting.WinForms;

// After: IronPDF
using IronPdf;
using IronPdf.Rendering;
// Before: SSRS
using Microsoft.Reporting.WebForms;
using Microsoft.Reporting.WinForms;

// After: IronPDF
using IronPdf;
using IronPdf.Rendering;
Imports Microsoft.Reporting.WebForms
Imports Microsoft.Reporting.WinForms

' After: IronPDF
Imports IronPdf
Imports IronPdf.Rendering
$vbLabelText   $csharpLabel

Core API Mappings

SSRS Concept IronPDF Equivalent Notes
LocalReport ChromePdfRenderer Core rendering
ServerReport RenderUrlAsPdf() URL-based rendering
.rdlc files HTML/CSS templates Template format
ReportParameter String interpolation Parameters
ReportDataSource C# data + HTML Data binding
LocalReport.Render("PDF") RenderHtmlAsPdf() PDF output
SubReport Merged PDFs Nested reports
Report Server URL Not needed No server required
ReportViewer control Not needed Direct PDF generation
Export formats PDF is native Focused output

Code Migration Examples

Example 1: HTML to PDF Conversion

Before (SSRS):

// SSRS - SQL Server Reporting Services
using System;
using System.Data;
using System.Data.SqlClient;
using Microsoft.Reporting.WebForms;
using System.IO;

class SSRSHtmlToPdf
{
    static void Main()
    {
        // Create a ReportViewer instance
        var reportViewer = new ReportViewer();
        reportViewer.ProcessingMode = ProcessingMode.Local;

        // Load RDLC report definition
        reportViewer.LocalReport.ReportPath = "Report.rdlc";

        // Add HTML content as a parameter or dataset
        var htmlContent = "<h1>Hello World</h1><p>This is HTML content.</p>";
        var param = new ReportParameter("HtmlContent", htmlContent);
        reportViewer.LocalReport.SetParameters(param);

        // Render the report to PDF
        string mimeType, encoding, fileNameExtension;
        string[] streams;
        Warning[] warnings;

        byte[] bytes = reportViewer.LocalReport.Render(
            "PDF",
            null,
            out mimeType,
            out encoding,
            out fileNameExtension,
            out streams,
            out warnings);

        File.WriteAllBytes("output.pdf", bytes);
    }
}
// SSRS - SQL Server Reporting Services
using System;
using System.Data;
using System.Data.SqlClient;
using Microsoft.Reporting.WebForms;
using System.IO;

class SSRSHtmlToPdf
{
    static void Main()
    {
        // Create a ReportViewer instance
        var reportViewer = new ReportViewer();
        reportViewer.ProcessingMode = ProcessingMode.Local;

        // Load RDLC report definition
        reportViewer.LocalReport.ReportPath = "Report.rdlc";

        // Add HTML content as a parameter or dataset
        var htmlContent = "<h1>Hello World</h1><p>This is HTML content.</p>";
        var param = new ReportParameter("HtmlContent", htmlContent);
        reportViewer.LocalReport.SetParameters(param);

        // Render the report to PDF
        string mimeType, encoding, fileNameExtension;
        string[] streams;
        Warning[] warnings;

        byte[] bytes = reportViewer.LocalReport.Render(
            "PDF",
            null,
            out mimeType,
            out encoding,
            out fileNameExtension,
            out streams,
            out warnings);

        File.WriteAllBytes("output.pdf", bytes);
    }
}
Imports System
Imports System.Data
Imports System.Data.SqlClient
Imports Microsoft.Reporting.WebForms
Imports System.IO

Class SSRSHtmlToPdf
    Shared Sub Main()
        ' Create a ReportViewer instance
        Dim reportViewer As New ReportViewer()
        reportViewer.ProcessingMode = ProcessingMode.Local

        ' Load RDLC report definition
        reportViewer.LocalReport.ReportPath = "Report.rdlc"

        ' Add HTML content as a parameter or dataset
        Dim htmlContent As String = "<h1>Hello World</h1><p>This is HTML content.</p>"
        Dim param As New ReportParameter("HtmlContent", htmlContent)
        reportViewer.LocalReport.SetParameters(param)

        ' Render the report to PDF
        Dim mimeType As String
        Dim encoding As String
        Dim fileNameExtension As String
        Dim streams As String()
        Dim warnings As Warning()

        Dim bytes As Byte() = reportViewer.LocalReport.Render( _
            "PDF", _
            Nothing, _
            mimeType, _
            encoding, _
            fileNameExtension, _
            streams, _
            warnings)

        File.WriteAllBytes("output.pdf", bytes)
    End Sub
End Class
$vbLabelText   $csharpLabel

After (IronPDF):

// NuGet: Install-Package IronPdf
using IronPdf;
using System;

class IronPdfHtmlToPdf
{
    static void Main()
    {
        // Create a ChromePdfRenderer instance
        var renderer = new ChromePdfRenderer();

        // Convert HTML string to PDF
        var htmlContent = "<h1>Hello World</h1><p>This is HTML content.</p>";
        var pdf = renderer.RenderHtmlAsPdf(htmlContent);

        // Save the PDF file
        pdf.SaveAs("output.pdf");
    }
}
// NuGet: Install-Package IronPdf
using IronPdf;
using System;

class IronPdfHtmlToPdf
{
    static void Main()
    {
        // Create a ChromePdfRenderer instance
        var renderer = new ChromePdfRenderer();

        // Convert HTML string to PDF
        var htmlContent = "<h1>Hello World</h1><p>This is HTML content.</p>";
        var pdf = renderer.RenderHtmlAsPdf(htmlContent);

        // Save the PDF file
        pdf.SaveAs("output.pdf");
    }
}
Imports IronPdf
Imports System

Class IronPdfHtmlToPdf
    Shared Sub Main()
        ' Create a ChromePdfRenderer instance
        Dim renderer = New ChromePdfRenderer()

        ' Convert HTML string to PDF
        Dim htmlContent = "<h1>Hello World</h1><p>This is HTML content.</p>"
        Dim pdf = renderer.RenderHtmlAsPdf(htmlContent)

        ' Save the PDF file
        pdf.SaveAs("output.pdf")
    End Sub
End Class
$vbLabelText   $csharpLabel

This example demonstrates the fundamental architectural difference. SSRS requires creating a ReportViewer instance, loading an .rdlc report definition file, setting parameters, and then calling LocalReport.Render("PDF") with multiple out parameters for metadata.

IronPDF uses a ChromePdfRenderer with RenderHtmlAsPdf() in just three lines of code. No report definition files, no parameter objects, no metadata handling required. See the HTML to PDF documentation for comprehensive examples.

Example 2: URL to PDF with Headers and Footers

Before (SSRS):

// SSRS - SQL Server Reporting Services
using System;
using System.IO;
using System.Net;
using Microsoft.Reporting.WebForms;

class SSRSUrlToPdf
{
    static void Main()
    {
        // Download HTML content from URL
        string url = "https://example.com";
        string htmlContent;

        using (var client = new WebClient())
        {
            htmlContent = client.DownloadString(url);
        }

        // Create RDLC report with header/footer configuration
        var reportViewer = new ReportViewer();
        reportViewer.ProcessingMode = ProcessingMode.Local;
        reportViewer.LocalReport.ReportPath = "WebReport.rdlc";

        // Set parameters for header and footer
        var parameters = new ReportParameter[]
        {
            new ReportParameter("HeaderText", "Company Report"),
            new ReportParameter("FooterText", "Page " + DateTime.Now.ToString()),
            new ReportParameter("HtmlContent", htmlContent)
        };
        reportViewer.LocalReport.SetParameters(parameters);

        // Render to PDF
        string mimeType, encoding, fileNameExtension;
        string[] streams;
        Warning[] warnings;

        byte[] bytes = reportViewer.LocalReport.Render(
            "PDF", null, out mimeType, out encoding,
            out fileNameExtension, out streams, out warnings);

        File.WriteAllBytes("webpage.pdf", bytes);
    }
}
// SSRS - SQL Server Reporting Services
using System;
using System.IO;
using System.Net;
using Microsoft.Reporting.WebForms;

class SSRSUrlToPdf
{
    static void Main()
    {
        // Download HTML content from URL
        string url = "https://example.com";
        string htmlContent;

        using (var client = new WebClient())
        {
            htmlContent = client.DownloadString(url);
        }

        // Create RDLC report with header/footer configuration
        var reportViewer = new ReportViewer();
        reportViewer.ProcessingMode = ProcessingMode.Local;
        reportViewer.LocalReport.ReportPath = "WebReport.rdlc";

        // Set parameters for header and footer
        var parameters = new ReportParameter[]
        {
            new ReportParameter("HeaderText", "Company Report"),
            new ReportParameter("FooterText", "Page " + DateTime.Now.ToString()),
            new ReportParameter("HtmlContent", htmlContent)
        };
        reportViewer.LocalReport.SetParameters(parameters);

        // Render to PDF
        string mimeType, encoding, fileNameExtension;
        string[] streams;
        Warning[] warnings;

        byte[] bytes = reportViewer.LocalReport.Render(
            "PDF", null, out mimeType, out encoding,
            out fileNameExtension, out streams, out warnings);

        File.WriteAllBytes("webpage.pdf", bytes);
    }
}
Imports System
Imports System.IO
Imports System.Net
Imports Microsoft.Reporting.WebForms

Class SSRSUrlToPdf
    Shared Sub Main()
        ' Download HTML content from URL
        Dim url As String = "https://example.com"
        Dim htmlContent As String

        Using client As New WebClient()
            htmlContent = client.DownloadString(url)
        End Using

        ' Create RDLC report with header/footer configuration
        Dim reportViewer As New ReportViewer()
        reportViewer.ProcessingMode = ProcessingMode.Local
        reportViewer.LocalReport.ReportPath = "WebReport.rdlc"

        ' Set parameters for header and footer
        Dim parameters As ReportParameter() = {
            New ReportParameter("HeaderText", "Company Report"),
            New ReportParameter("FooterText", "Page " & DateTime.Now.ToString()),
            New ReportParameter("HtmlContent", htmlContent)
        }
        reportViewer.LocalReport.SetParameters(parameters)

        ' Render to PDF
        Dim mimeType As String, encoding As String, fileNameExtension As String
        Dim streams As String()
        Dim warnings As Warning()

        Dim bytes As Byte() = reportViewer.LocalReport.Render(
            "PDF", Nothing, mimeType, encoding,
            fileNameExtension, streams, warnings)

        File.WriteAllBytes("webpage.pdf", bytes)
    End Sub
End Class
$vbLabelText   $csharpLabel

After (IronPDF):

// NuGet: Install-Package IronPdf
using IronPdf;
using IronPdf.Rendering;
using System;

class IronPdfUrlToPdf
{
    static void Main()
    {
        // Create a ChromePdfRenderer instance
        var renderer = new ChromePdfRenderer();

        // Configure rendering options with header and footer
        renderer.RenderingOptions.HtmlHeader = new HtmlHeaderFooter()
        {
            HtmlFragment = "<div style='text-align:center'>Company Report</div>"
        };

        renderer.RenderingOptions.HtmlFooter = new HtmlHeaderFooter()
        {
            HtmlFragment = "<div style='text-align:center'>Page {page} of {total-pages} - " + DateTime.Now.ToString("MM/dd/yyyy") + "</div>"
        };

        // Convert URL to PDF
        string url = "https://example.com";
        var pdf = renderer.RenderUrlAsPdf(url);

        // Save the PDF file
        pdf.SaveAs("webpage.pdf");
    }
}
// NuGet: Install-Package IronPdf
using IronPdf;
using IronPdf.Rendering;
using System;

class IronPdfUrlToPdf
{
    static void Main()
    {
        // Create a ChromePdfRenderer instance
        var renderer = new ChromePdfRenderer();

        // Configure rendering options with header and footer
        renderer.RenderingOptions.HtmlHeader = new HtmlHeaderFooter()
        {
            HtmlFragment = "<div style='text-align:center'>Company Report</div>"
        };

        renderer.RenderingOptions.HtmlFooter = new HtmlHeaderFooter()
        {
            HtmlFragment = "<div style='text-align:center'>Page {page} of {total-pages} - " + DateTime.Now.ToString("MM/dd/yyyy") + "</div>"
        };

        // Convert URL to PDF
        string url = "https://example.com";
        var pdf = renderer.RenderUrlAsPdf(url);

        // Save the PDF file
        pdf.SaveAs("webpage.pdf");
    }
}
Imports IronPdf
Imports IronPdf.Rendering
Imports System

Class IronPdfUrlToPdf
    Shared Sub Main()
        ' Create a ChromePdfRenderer instance
        Dim renderer As New ChromePdfRenderer()

        ' Configure rendering options with header and footer
        renderer.RenderingOptions.HtmlHeader = New HtmlHeaderFooter() With {
            .HtmlFragment = "<div style='text-align:center'>Company Report</div>"
        }

        renderer.RenderingOptions.HtmlFooter = New HtmlHeaderFooter() With {
            .HtmlFragment = "<div style='text-align:center'>Page {page} of {total-pages} - " & DateTime.Now.ToString("MM/dd/yyyy") & "</div>"
        }

        ' Convert URL to PDF
        Dim url As String = "https://example.com"
        Dim pdf = renderer.RenderUrlAsPdf(url)

        ' Save the PDF file
        pdf.SaveAs("webpage.pdf")
    End Sub
End Class
$vbLabelText   $csharpLabel

SSRS cannot directly convert URLs to PDF. You must manually download HTML content with WebClient.DownloadString(), create a separate .rdlc report file, pass the HTML and header/footer text as ReportParameter arrays, then render with the complex Render() method signature.

IronPDF's RenderUrlAsPdf() handles the entire process in a single call. Headers and footers are configured with HtmlHeaderFooter objects that support full HTML/CSS and placeholders like {page} and {total-pages}. Learn more in our tutorials.

Example 3: Database-Driven Report

Before (SSRS):

// SSRS - SQL Server Reporting Services
using System;
using System.Data;
using System.Data.SqlClient;
using Microsoft.Reporting.WebForms;
using System.IO;

class SSRSDatabaseReport
{
    static void Main()
    {
        // Create a ReportViewer instance
        var reportViewer = new ReportViewer();
        reportViewer.ProcessingMode = ProcessingMode.Local;
        reportViewer.LocalReport.ReportPath = "SalesReport.rdlc";

        // Create database connection and fetch data
        string connString = "Server=localhost;Database=SalesDB;Integrated Security=true;";
        using (var connection = new SqlConnection(connString))
        {
            var adapter = new SqlDataAdapter("SELECT * FROM Sales", connection);
            var dataSet = new DataSet();
            adapter.Fill(dataSet, "Sales");

            // Bind data to report
            var dataSource = new ReportDataSource("SalesDataSet", dataSet.Tables[0]);
            reportViewer.LocalReport.DataSources.Clear();
            reportViewer.LocalReport.DataSources.Add(dataSource);
        }

        // Render to PDF
        string mimeType, encoding, fileNameExtension;
        string[] streams;
        Warning[] warnings;

        byte[] bytes = reportViewer.LocalReport.Render(
            "PDF", null, out mimeType, out encoding,
            out fileNameExtension, out streams, out warnings);

        File.WriteAllBytes("sales-report.pdf", bytes);
    }
}
// SSRS - SQL Server Reporting Services
using System;
using System.Data;
using System.Data.SqlClient;
using Microsoft.Reporting.WebForms;
using System.IO;

class SSRSDatabaseReport
{
    static void Main()
    {
        // Create a ReportViewer instance
        var reportViewer = new ReportViewer();
        reportViewer.ProcessingMode = ProcessingMode.Local;
        reportViewer.LocalReport.ReportPath = "SalesReport.rdlc";

        // Create database connection and fetch data
        string connString = "Server=localhost;Database=SalesDB;Integrated Security=true;";
        using (var connection = new SqlConnection(connString))
        {
            var adapter = new SqlDataAdapter("SELECT * FROM Sales", connection);
            var dataSet = new DataSet();
            adapter.Fill(dataSet, "Sales");

            // Bind data to report
            var dataSource = new ReportDataSource("SalesDataSet", dataSet.Tables[0]);
            reportViewer.LocalReport.DataSources.Clear();
            reportViewer.LocalReport.DataSources.Add(dataSource);
        }

        // Render to PDF
        string mimeType, encoding, fileNameExtension;
        string[] streams;
        Warning[] warnings;

        byte[] bytes = reportViewer.LocalReport.Render(
            "PDF", null, out mimeType, out encoding,
            out fileNameExtension, out streams, out warnings);

        File.WriteAllBytes("sales-report.pdf", bytes);
    }
}
Imports System
Imports System.Data
Imports System.Data.SqlClient
Imports Microsoft.Reporting.WebForms
Imports System.IO

Class SSRSDatabaseReport
    Shared Sub Main()
        ' Create a ReportViewer instance
        Dim reportViewer As New ReportViewer()
        reportViewer.ProcessingMode = ProcessingMode.Local
        reportViewer.LocalReport.ReportPath = "SalesReport.rdlc"

        ' Create database connection and fetch data
        Dim connString As String = "Server=localhost;Database=SalesDB;Integrated Security=true;"
        Using connection As New SqlConnection(connString)
            Dim adapter As New SqlDataAdapter("SELECT * FROM Sales", connection)
            Dim dataSet As New DataSet()
            adapter.Fill(dataSet, "Sales")

            ' Bind data to report
            Dim dataSource As New ReportDataSource("SalesDataSet", dataSet.Tables(0))
            reportViewer.LocalReport.DataSources.Clear()
            reportViewer.LocalReport.DataSources.Add(dataSource)
        End Using

        ' Render to PDF
        Dim mimeType As String, encoding As String, fileNameExtension As String
        Dim streams As String()
        Dim warnings As Warning()

        Dim bytes As Byte() = reportViewer.LocalReport.Render("PDF", Nothing, mimeType, encoding, fileNameExtension, streams, warnings)

        File.WriteAllBytes("sales-report.pdf", bytes)
    End Sub
End Class
$vbLabelText   $csharpLabel

After (IronPDF):

// NuGet: Install-Package IronPdf
using IronPdf;
using System;
using System.Data;
using System.Data.SqlClient;
using System.Text;

class IronPdfDatabaseReport
{
    static void Main()
    {
        // Create database connection and fetch data
        string connString = "Server=localhost;Database=SalesDB;Integrated Security=true;";
        var dataTable = new DataTable();

        using (var connection = new SqlConnection(connString))
        {
            var adapter = new SqlDataAdapter("SELECT * FROM Sales", connection);
            adapter.Fill(dataTable);
        }

        // Build HTML table from data
        var htmlBuilder = new StringBuilder();
        htmlBuilder.Append("<h1>Sales Report</h1><table border='1'><tr>");

        foreach (DataColumn column in dataTable.Columns)
            htmlBuilder.Append($"<th>{column.ColumnName}</th>");
        htmlBuilder.Append("</tr>");

        foreach (DataRow row in dataTable.Rows)
        {
            htmlBuilder.Append("<tr>");
            foreach (var item in row.ItemArray)
                htmlBuilder.Append($"<td>{item}</td>");
            htmlBuilder.Append("</tr>");
        }
        htmlBuilder.Append("</table>");

        // Convert to PDF
        var renderer = new ChromePdfRenderer();
        var pdf = renderer.RenderHtmlAsPdf(htmlBuilder.ToString());
        pdf.SaveAs("sales-report.pdf");
    }
}
// NuGet: Install-Package IronPdf
using IronPdf;
using System;
using System.Data;
using System.Data.SqlClient;
using System.Text;

class IronPdfDatabaseReport
{
    static void Main()
    {
        // Create database connection and fetch data
        string connString = "Server=localhost;Database=SalesDB;Integrated Security=true;";
        var dataTable = new DataTable();

        using (var connection = new SqlConnection(connString))
        {
            var adapter = new SqlDataAdapter("SELECT * FROM Sales", connection);
            adapter.Fill(dataTable);
        }

        // Build HTML table from data
        var htmlBuilder = new StringBuilder();
        htmlBuilder.Append("<h1>Sales Report</h1><table border='1'><tr>");

        foreach (DataColumn column in dataTable.Columns)
            htmlBuilder.Append($"<th>{column.ColumnName}</th>");
        htmlBuilder.Append("</tr>");

        foreach (DataRow row in dataTable.Rows)
        {
            htmlBuilder.Append("<tr>");
            foreach (var item in row.ItemArray)
                htmlBuilder.Append($"<td>{item}</td>");
            htmlBuilder.Append("</tr>");
        }
        htmlBuilder.Append("</table>");

        // Convert to PDF
        var renderer = new ChromePdfRenderer();
        var pdf = renderer.RenderHtmlAsPdf(htmlBuilder.ToString());
        pdf.SaveAs("sales-report.pdf");
    }
}
Imports IronPdf
Imports System
Imports System.Data
Imports System.Data.SqlClient
Imports System.Text

Class IronPdfDatabaseReport
    Shared Sub Main()
        ' Create database connection and fetch data
        Dim connString As String = "Server=localhost;Database=SalesDB;Integrated Security=true;"
        Dim dataTable As New DataTable()

        Using connection As New SqlConnection(connString)
            Dim adapter As New SqlDataAdapter("SELECT * FROM Sales", connection)
            adapter.Fill(dataTable)
        End Using

        ' Build HTML table from data
        Dim htmlBuilder As New StringBuilder()
        htmlBuilder.Append("<h1>Sales Report</h1><table border='1'><tr>")

        For Each column As DataColumn In dataTable.Columns
            htmlBuilder.Append($"<th>{column.ColumnName}</th>")
        Next
        htmlBuilder.Append("</tr>")

        For Each row As DataRow In dataTable.Rows
            htmlBuilder.Append("<tr>")
            For Each item In row.ItemArray
                htmlBuilder.Append($"<td>{item}</td>")
            Next
            htmlBuilder.Append("</tr>")
        Next
        htmlBuilder.Append("</table>")

        ' Convert to PDF
        Dim renderer As New ChromePdfRenderer()
        Dim pdf = renderer.RenderHtmlAsPdf(htmlBuilder.ToString())
        pdf.SaveAs("sales-report.pdf")
    End Sub
End Class
$vbLabelText   $csharpLabel

SSRS requires a pre-designed .rdlc report file ("SalesReport.rdlc"), filling a DataSet, creating a ReportDataSource with a specific name ("SalesDataSet") that must match the report definition, clearing existing data sources, adding the new data source, then rendering.

IronPDF uses your existing data access code (same SqlDataAdapter pattern), then builds HTML dynamically with StringBuilder. You have full control over the layout using standard HTML/CSS—no proprietary report definition files required.

Feature Comparison

Feature SSRS IronPDF
:Infrastructure: Server Required Yes (Report Server) No
SQL Server License Required Not needed
Windows Server Required Any platform
Database Required Yes (ReportServer DB) No
:Development: Visual Designer Yes (.rdlc) HTML editors
Template Format RDLC/RDL HTML/CSS/Razor
Data Sources Built-in DSN Any C# data
:Rendering: HTML to PDF No Full Chromium
URL to PDF No Yes
CSS Support Limited Full CSS3
JavaScript No Full ES2024
Charts Built-in Via JS libraries
:Deployment: Report Deployment To server With app
Configuration Complex Simple
Maintenance High Low

Common Migration Issues

Issue 1: RDLC Report Definitions

SSRS: Uses proprietary .rdlc XML format.

Solution: Convert to HTML templates:

  1. Open .rdlc in Visual Studio
  2. Document the layout structure
  3. Recreate in HTML/CSS
  4. Use Razor for data binding

Issue 2: Shared Data Sources

SSRS: Connection strings in Report Server.

Solution: Use your application's data access layer:

var data = await _dbContext.Sales.ToListAsync();
// Then bind to HTML template
var data = await _dbContext.Sales.ToListAsync();
// Then bind to HTML template
Dim data = Await _dbContext.Sales.ToListAsync()
' Then bind to HTML template
$vbLabelText   $csharpLabel

Issue 3: Report Parameters UI

SSRS: Built-in parameter prompts.

Solution: Build parameter UI in your application:

// Your own parameter form, then:
var pdf = GenerateReport(startDate, endDate, region);
// Your own parameter form, then:
var pdf = GenerateReport(startDate, endDate, region);
' Your own parameter form, then:
Dim pdf = GenerateReport(startDate, endDate, region)
$vbLabelText   $csharpLabel

Issue 4: Subscriptions/Scheduled Reports

SSRS: Built-in subscription engine.

Solution: Use background job framework:

// Using Hangfire or similar
RecurringJob.AddOrUpdate("weekly-report",
    () => GenerateAndEmailReport(), Cron.Weekly);
// Using Hangfire or similar
RecurringJob.AddOrUpdate("weekly-report",
    () => GenerateAndEmailReport(), Cron.Weekly);
$vbLabelText   $csharpLabel

Migration Checklist

Pre-Migration

  • Inventory all SSRS reports (.rdlc files)
  • Document data sources and connections
  • Screenshot report layouts for visual reference
  • List report parameters for each report
  • Note subscription schedules
  • Obtain IronPDF license key from ironpdf.com

Code Updates

  • Remove ReportViewer packages
  • Install IronPdf NuGet package
  • Convert .rdlc files to HTML templates
  • Replace LocalReport with ChromePdfRenderer
  • Replace ReportDataSource with C# data + HTML templates
  • Replace ReportParameter with string interpolation
  • Replace LocalReport.Render("PDF") with RenderHtmlAsPdf()
  • Implement headers/footers with HtmlHeaderFooter
  • Add license initialization at application startup

Infrastructure

  • Plan Report Server decommission
  • Migrate subscriptions to job scheduler (Hangfire, etc.)
  • Update deployment scripts

Testing

  • Compare PDF output visually
  • Verify data accuracy
  • Test pagination
  • Check all parameters
  • Performance testing
Curtis Chau
Curtis Chau
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Technical Writer

Curtis Chau holds a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science (Carleton University) and specializes in front-end development with expertise in Node.js, TypeScript, JavaScript, and React. Passionate about crafting intuitive and aesthetically pleasing user interfaces, Curtis enjoys working with modern frameworks and creating well-structured, visually appealing manuals.

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