You can use custom objects as data sources. The only requirement is that the custom object must implement the IC1FlexReportRecordset interface.

IC1FlexReportRecordset is a simple and easy-to-implement interface that can be added to virtually any collection of data with ease. This is often more efficient than creating a DataTable object and copying all the data into it. For example, you could use custom data source objects to wrap a file system or custom .xml or .flxr files.

To use custom data source objects, load the report definition and then assign the object to the C1FlexReport's Recordset property. For example:

' get custom data source object
Dim rs As IC1FlexReportRecordset = CType(GetMyCustomDataSource(), IC1FlexReportRecordset)

' load report definition (before setting the data source)
C1FlexReport1.Load(@"reportFile", "reportName")

' use custom data source object in C1FlexReport component
C1FlexReport1.DataSource.Recordset = rs

// get custom data source object
IC1FlexReportRecordset rs = (IC1FlexReportRecordset)GetMyCustomDataSource();

// load report definition (before setting the data source)
c1FlexReport1.Load(@"reportFile", "reportName");

// use custom data source object in C1FlexReport component
c1FlexReport1.DataSource.Recordset = rs;