Answers to Frequently Asked Questions about the FP3 Format

The FP3 format often raises questions — especially among users who need to quickly open, view, or convert a prepared report without delving into development details. At the same time, confusion can arise right from the start: the FP3 extension is used in different software environments and may refer to completely unrelated file types. For example, from FastReport reports to 3D planning projects and even medical data.

We have collected the 11 most frequently asked questions users encounter and prepared clear answers that take real-world tasks into account. You will learn how FP3 differs from other formats (in particular, from the FR3 template), which tools can help you work with such files, how to convert them to PDF and other formats, and how to solve common technical issues.

1. What is the FP3 format?

Files with the FP3 extension may be associated with several programs depending on their contents. However, this format is most commonly associated with prepared reports created using FastReport tools.

In this case, FP3 is a proprietary format developed by Fast Reports and is used to store report data that has been prepared in advance for viewing and can be easily transferred or saved for subsequent analysis.

Such an FP3 file contains:

• a report ready for viewing,
• a data structure,
• format settings,
• images and other additional design elements.

The main feature of FP3 (compared to FR3 format templates) is that the file is already fully prepared and does not require a connection to the source database, reprocessing of data, or the original report templates.

2. Where else is FP3 used?

In addition to FastReport tools, the FP3 extension may include files containing three-dimensional images for prototyping, X-ray images, files for 3D printing, and other medical documents. However, this is most often simply a filename extension coincidence rather than the use of an actual data format. Usually, FP3 refers to FP3-class restoration and corresponding dental implants.

In addition, the FP3 format is used in the design of architectural structures.

It is also used in programs based on FastReport components that automatically support this format. For example, in CRM and ERP systems.

3. What programs can work with the FP3 format from Fast Reports?

To open and view FP3 files in the FastReport format, you can use a special program — FastReport Viewer. This is a free application designed for convenient viewing and printing of FP3 files. Thanks to its intuitive interface and wide range of features, Viewer allows you to work efficiently with prepared reports without resorting to complex software.

You can learn more about this application at "Opening FP3 files using FastReport Viewer".

The FP3 format is also supported by the FastConverter application, which can be used to convert these files into other popular formats.

And, of course, FP3 files can be opened and viewed using FastReport software components by creating your own project and application based on them in a development environment (RAD Studio or Lazarus).

4. What other programs can work with FP3 files?

There are also other FP3 file formats that are not related to FastReport tools:

• Database files created in FileMaker Pro version 3. To convert such files to a format supported by more recent versions of the program, it may be necessary to use intermediate versions of FileMaker Pro.
• Floor plans and 3D visualization files for buildings created in FloorPlan 3D and TurboFLOORPLAN by IMSI Design.
• In rare cases, files with this extension may be proprietary music files for FP3 Player — a music player for kids.

5. How can FP3 files be converted to another format?

For this, you can use the FastConverter tool. More information about the conversion process and supported formats can be found in the "How to Open and Convert an FP3 File Using the FastConverter .FP3" article.

6. What are the specific features of FastReport FP3 files?

The main feature of FastReport FP3 files is that they are not a template for describing and subsequently creating a report, but a file ready for viewing and printing. 

When an FP3 file is complete and all the necessary actions have already been performed: 

• the report creation instructions (FR3 format) have been completed, 
• the data has been requested from the database and correctly placed, 
• the expressions have been checked and calculated, 
• and the content and internal objects have been distributed across the pages. 

All that remains is to load the prepared report into a suitable program and then view or print it.

If you need to load or save an FP3 file using the TfrxReport component in your application developed in one of the supported FastReport development environments (RAD Studio, Lazarus), use the methods of the TfrxReport.PreviewPages property: 

function LoadFromFile(const FileName: String; ExceptionIfNotFound: Boolean = False): Boolean;
procedure SaveToFile(const FileName: String);
procedure LoadFromStream(Stream: TStream);
procedure SaveToStream(Stream: TStream);

7. How can an FP3 file from FastReport be converted to PDF?

For this, it is convenient to use a special program developed by Fast Reports — FastConverter. The step-by-step process of creating a PDF document in this locally running program is straightforward and is described in detail in the "How to Open and Convert an FP3 File Using the FastConverter .FP3" article.

A more flexible and visual approach is to use the report designer and preview dialog from the commercial FastReport VCL product:

1. Place the TfrxReport, TfrxPDFExport, and TButton components on the form.
2. In the button's OnClick event handler, load the FP3 file into the TfrxReport component.

frxReport1.PreviewPages.LoadFromFile('C:\fr\Demo\PreparedReport.fp3');
frxReport1.ShowPreparedReport;

3. In the report preview window that appears, click the button shown in the example below to initiate the PDF export.

Alternatively, you can convert the report directly in the application code using the TfrxReport component. More information about these methods can be found in the following articles:

• How to make a PDF from Delphi / C++Builder / Lazarus
• Working with PDF/A from the FastReport VCL designer

8. Can an FP3 file from FastReport be opened in another reporting system?

Yes, but not directly — it requires several steps. FP3 is a format developed by Fast Reports, and there is no guarantee that another reporting system will be able to correctly interpret all the specifics of its internal structure.

For such tasks, it is convenient to use an intermediate format. For example, PDF, CSV, XLS, XLSX, XML, or HTML — depending on the contents of your report.

First, check whether the other system (for example, Crystal Reports or JasperReports) supports the selected format. Then convert the FP3 file to the required format as described in the article mentioned in point 7. Finally, open the converted file in the third-party reporting system.

9. Can an FP3 file from FastReport be opened online?

At the moment, this functionality is not available. To open and view FP3 files in the FastReport format, you can locally use a special free program — FastReport Viewer.

In the future, it may become possible to view prepared reports online based on the cloud solution — FastReport Cloud.

Important: please do not use third-party online FP3 viewers developed by companies other than Fast Reports, especially for reports containing confidential information. This may be unsafe!

10. I am loading an FP3 file using the TfrxReport component and getting the error message «Class preparedreport not found»

Most likely, you are calling the LoadFromFile method not on the PreviewPages property, but directly on the TfrxReport component. You need to use code like this:

frxReport1.PreviewPages.LoadFromFile('C:\MyReports\FileName.fp3');

11. Is it possible to programmatically combine several prepared FastReport reports in the FP3 format into one large report?

Yes, this can be done using two instances of the TfrxReport component.

• Place two TfrxReport components on the form.
• Load the first report into the first TfrxReport component using the PreviewPages.LoadFromFile or PreviewPages.LoadFromStream method.
• Load the second report into the second TfrxReport component using the same methods.
• Use the following method to “merge” the second report with the first:

frxReport1.PreviewPages.AddFrom(frxReport2)

• Repeat the procedure for each subsequent report.

The "How to combine multiple reports into PDF file in Delphi" article describes another, but no less useful solution.

Conclusion

The FP3 format from Fast Reports is a convenient and reliable solution for storing data that is already prepared for viewing and does not require access to source databases and templates. With tools such as Viewer and Converter, you can easily work with these files.

If necessary, you can view and edit FP3 formats in your applications using FastReport components. We hope that our answers have helped you understand the format and make working with prepared reports even easier and more straightforward.