What is the FR3 file format?
An .fr3 file is a report template used by FastReport applications for designing and creating reports. The .fr3 file stores text objects, images, data-aware band layouts (header, detail, footer), and field bindings - along with optional PascalScript code - as a text-based XML-like structure rather than a binary format. This layout data defines how an application should arrange and format report output.
When run against a live data source, the .fr3 template generates a prepared report in the .fp3 format, which can be viewed and printed using the FastReport Viewer application, or exported to PDF and Excel.
Developers open .fr3 files in the FastReport VCL Designer or FastReport Studio on Windows; end users typically never need to work with the raw template directly. For cross-platform projects, Fast Reports Inc. also offers the .frx format used by FastReport .NET.
Security & safety
RISK: MEDIUMAn .fr3 is largely a layout file, but it can embed PascalScript that runs when the report is prepared inside a host application. A malicious or tampered template could therefore execute script logic in the context of the app that loads it, so only use .fr3 templates from trusted sources and review the embedded script (visible in the text form) if a template's origin is uncertain. The template itself does no harm sitting on disk.
Format details
in a nutshell- Encrypted/archive .fr3 (rare reuse) - A few unrelated tools have used .fr3 for other data; the FastReport report template is dominant.
Programs that open FR3 files
Windows3 apps
Notepad
Open-source Open the .fr3 as text to read its structure/field names (most FR3 files are text); cannot render the report. 
FastReport VCL Designer
Paid Open the .fr3 in the FastReport designer (bundled with the VCL package) to edit the layout, preview and export.
FastReport Studio (standalone designer)
Paid Standalone designer to open/edit .fr3 without a full Delphi IDE; design, preview and export to PDF/XLS. 
macOS1 app
FastReport FMX / .NET designer
Paid Cross-platform FastReport editions can open FR3-family templates; use on macOS where the VCL designer isn't available. 
Linux1 app
FastReport FMX / .NET designer
Paid Use the cross-platform FastReport designer to open the template; or inspect as text in any editor. Technical details
deep spec| File encoding | Text-based XML-like / Delphi DFM-style object notation; optionally stored compressed |
| Magic bytes | None - text form opens with an 'object' keyword or XML root element; identified by .fr3 extension |
| MIME type | application/octet-stream (primary); text/xml when in plain-text form |
| Compression | Optional - template can be saved uncompressed (plain text) or in compressed binary form |
| Encryption | Optional password protection supported at the report-file level |
| Report structure | Hierarchical tree: Report → TfrxPage → bands (header, master/detail, footer, summary) → objects |
| Embedded script language | PascalScript - embeds custom data-manipulation and event logic directly in the template |
| Supported object types | Memo (text), Image, Subreport, Chart, Barcode, Rich Text, Shape, CrossTab, and more |
| Data binding method | Band-based data-aware objects linked to dataset/query components at design time |
| Output when rendered | Produces a .fp3 prepared-report file; can export to PDF, Excel, HTML, RTF, CSV |
| Typical file size | 5 KB - 2 MB depending on report complexity, number of pages, and embedded images |
| Primary platform | Windows (FastReport VCL for Delphi/C++Builder); also Linux and macOS via FastReport FMX/.NET |
| Format lineage | Introduced with FastReport VCL 3 (early 2000s); the '3' in the extension denotes version 3 of the engine |
| Cross-format compatibility | Not interchangeable with FastReport .NET .frx templates - separate product line with different structure |
| Developer tool | Opened and edited in FastReport VCL Designer (embedded) or standalone FastReport Studio |
| Released | Early 2000s (FastReport VCL 3.x for Delphi/C++Builder - the '3' in fr3) |
| Latest version | Still the native template format of current FastReport VCL releases |
| Specification | www.fast-report.com |
FR3 conversions
Community Q&A
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