An HTML report is a web-formatted document crucial for visually presenting data. Its significance lies in offering an interactive way to communicate information online.

Today, join us in exploring the mysteries of HTML reports. Through detailed examples, we’ll guide you to better understand and create impactful reports. Let’s dive into the world of HTML reports together!

Note: The report and dashboard examples in this article are all built-in templates made by FineReport, the leading BI reporting tool in the Asian-Pacific region.

1. What is the HTML Report?

HTML, short for HyperText Markup Language, is the standard markup language for web pages. It uses tags to format various web resources like text, animations, sounds, tables, and links. An HTML Report utilizes HTML language to create reports on the web (web reports) or reports generated by HTML report generators. HTML5, the latest version of HTML programming, supports the incorporation of additional data types such as video and audio.

2. The Benefits of the HTML Report

There are many advantages of HTML reports:

• The network standards of HTML are open.
• The reports can be used across platforms and display well on different screen sizes, from PCs to tablets or phones. 
• The reports support real-time updates.

How about HTML5 Report?

Now, explore the HTML5 report, a trend driven by the growing number of mobile device users (iOS, Android, and Windows Phone). HTML5 offers robust technical support for migrating existing application systems to mobile devices, allowing mobile users to maximize its benefits.

FineReport relies on mainstream technologies such as JavaScript, CSS, Html5, etc., which can provide users with the best reporting and data visualization experience.

3. How to Develop the HTML Report?

There are two ways to develop HTML reports. One is using coding language: CSS+HTML, and the other is leveraging HTML report generators. 

3.1 CSS+HTML, the Typical Method of Creating an HTML Report

To make the web page layout in a table-like structure reports, you only need to use styles like display: table and display: table-cell in CSS. 

For more complicated HTML reports, the CSS styles do not support those features, so you need to use <table> elements to help with column and row spanning. 

The basic structure is：

<table>

<tr>

<th>…</th>

</tr>

<tr>

<td>…</td>

</tr>

</table>

The possibilities here are limitless and only restricted by your HTML and CSS skills.

You can also use free report templates in HTML and CSS to meet specific effects.

Pros:

• 1. Flexible HTML report layout

By using CSS+HTML, you can design the layout of the HTML report in any style you like. The report style is more varied and customizable. 

• 2. Help make consistent changes

CSS establishes a consistent framework for web designers, ensuring uniform styling across all sites. With a single style sheet, changes to report styles are seamlessly applied across all pages.

Cons:

• 1. Require high technical skills

On a fundamental level, CSS is not difficult to learn. However, because CSS is so detailed, it becomes progressively more difficult and takes time to master especially when you need to develop advanced HTML reports such as dynamic reports or adding printing functions.

• 2. Cross-browser issues

Implementing initial CSS changes on a website is straightforward for developers. However, post-changes, CSS may become disorderly on other browsers, causing frustration due to unsupported features or inconsistent performance.

3.2 HTML Report Generator 

Here, take FineReport as an example, which is an HTML report generator based on the self-developed HTML5 chart technology.

FineReport provides a user-friendly interface for users to generate HTML reports via drag and drop. Besides, different systems are developed by different languages, including HTML, ASP, JSP, PHP, etc. If you want to embed the report into these pages, we need to parse HTML. 

FineReport applies an HTML parser, which avoids HTML display issues and realizes HTML parsing when exporting PDF, Excel, and Word.

Pros:

1. Support multiple data sources

FineReport supports all mainstream databases and data sources. You can combine and connect to these data sources by a few clicks.

2. Easily design reports that display well on different screen sizes

FineReport supports creating reports that display well on different screen sizes, from PCs to TV screens. It supports mobile reporting on mobile devices such as phones or tablets. You can adjust the report size in the designer to adapt to the screen size.

3. Support integrating with multiple business systems and apps

FineReport provides open APIs to integrate with multiple business systems to combine and extract the data from these systems to generate comprehensive reports. You can also integrate FineReport with apps such as Line so that you can share reports except exporting reports into PDF, Word, or Excel.

4. Impressive self-developed HTML5 charts

FineReport provides 19 categories and over 50 styles of HTML5 charts, with 3D and dynamic effects. These charts are self-developed, avoiding the inconvenience of using intellectual property, services, and documents brought by third-party plug-ins.

Cons: 

No need to pay for use

Most of the HTML report generators are commercial. The cost varies depending on the number of concurrent users and features.

FineReport offers both free and commercial users. The free trial version is free for personal users, without the time and features limits and supports two concurrent users. 

If you’re interested in the commercial version, welcome to contact us and request a price plan.

4. HTML Report Examples 

Here are some HTML report examples covering different industries.

Note: These HTML report templates are built in the FineReport designer, you can download FineReport to use these templates for free. 

4.1 Sales Report

4.2 Financial Report

4.3 Profit Report

4.4 Income Report

4.5 Purchase Report

Feel free to download FineReport and see how it can streamline your experience of creating HTML reports!

FineReport provides localized services and technical support across various regions, including Taiwan, Hong Kong, Macau, Singapore, Malaysia, the Middle East, and more. Click the button above to experience FineReport with a free trial download. For technical assistance, reach out to our support engineers.

It’s also free to make an appointment for a live demo with product experts from FineReport and work together to discover your needs and see how FineReport can help you and your organization transform data into value!