Exporting Reports to Excel from Bold Report: Handling Large Content Issues

When exporting reports from Bold Reports to Excel, you may notice that columns with a large amount of content don’t display as expected. This happens because Excel has a maximum row height limit of 409 points (about 546 pixels). If the content goes beyond this limit, the extra text may overflow into nearby cells instead of increasing the row height.

This is a well-documented Excel limitation, not a flaw in Bold Reports. However, you can optimize your report design to ensure cleaner and more readable Excel exports by applying the solutions below.

Solutions to Optimize Excel Exports

1. Adjust Column Widths

   • Increase column widths to allow text to spread horizontally, reducing the need for excessive row height.
   • In Bold Report Designer, manually resize columns based on the expected length of the content.

2. Enable Text Wrapping

   • Set the CanGrow property to true in Bold Report Designer to enable text wrapping within cells.
   • This ensures that content remains within its designated cell, preventing overflow into adjacent cells.

3. Split Long Text

   • For cells with large text blocks (e.g., paragraphs), consider:
     • Dividing the content across multiple cells or rows for better readability.
     • Using separate text boxes or table rows in the report design.

4. Use Shorter Text or Summaries

   • Where feasible, shorten lengthy content or provide summaries before exporting.
   • Optionally, include a “See Full Details” link in the Excel file, directing users to the original report for complete information.

Key Takeaway

Excel’s 409-point row height limit can affect how large text blocks appear in exported reports. By applying these best practices in Bold Report Designer, you can create Excel-friendly reports that remain clear, organized, and professional.