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/*DataFlex 2026 Alpha 1 is here. Built to make development easier.*/

Colleagues, DataFlex, Presenting, Table, Future
January 28, 2026

This first Alpha 1 build isn’t just about being early. It’s about trying features that are designed to remove friction from your workflow, speed things up, and make building applications more enjoyable. Think:

  • Managing libraries without manual setup (Package Manager is here!).
  • Dark mode that just works.
  • Turning Excel data into a database in minutes.
  • Making it easier for new developers to get started with DataFlex.

Alpha 1 is where these improvements become tangible and where your feedback helps us refine them further.

New Features

DF 2026 - Package ManagerPackage Manager

Libraries, but next level. 

The new Package Manager changes how you work with libraries in DataFlex. Install and manage packages directly from the cloud or Git by name and version.

No more local paths, manual copying, or configuration. With just a few clicks in the Studio, your projects stay clean, up-to-date, and easy to share, while publishing your own packages makes collaboration faster than ever.

 

Web Control Loading Optimization

Less data. Faster loading. Same behavior.

Web controls are now smarter about what they send to the browser. Only properties that differ from the class default are serialized, significantly reducing data transfer.

The result? Faster page loads, lower bandwidth usage, and better performance, without changing a single line of code. Your apps feel smoother, your users get quicker responses, and performance tuning becomes one less thing to worry about.

Web Control dark mode

Dark mode, built in.

Selected web themes include default dark mode support, and new APIs let your apps automatically respect the user’s browser preference or switch modes when needed. Your users get a modern, eye-friendly interface that feels native to their system while you get polished, professional results without building separate dark-mode logic.
DF 2026 - Web Control dark mode

Dialogs in drill-down model

Better navigation, especially on laptops.

Dialogs are now part of the drill-down navigation model and can be opened via navigation APIs, with their state reflected in the URL. The navigation designer also supports generating modal dialog selects.

The result is more predictable, consistent navigation, smoother workflows, and a better desktop experience. Giving users a seamless flow and developers more control over app behavior.

Create New (redesign)DF 2026 - Create new

A better start for new projects.

The redesigned Create New dialog guides developers (especially newcomers) through project and workspace setup.

This is the beginning of making onboarding faster,  so everyone starts with a solid foundation and can focus on building right away.

 

Test it. Tell us what you think.

Download the build, try the new features in your own projects, and let us know what you think. Your feedback matters, it helps shape the next DataFlex release!