ssrs tutorial

SQL Server Reporting Services

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Overview

People use reports to communicate information, make decisions, and identify opportunities. Reporting

Services is a server-based reporting platform that provides a full range of ready-to-use tools and

services to help people throughout your organization create, deploy, manage, and use reports quickly

and easily. With Reporting Services, you can retrieve data from relational, multidimensional, and XML-

based data sources; publish reports that can be viewed in various formats; and centrally manage report

security and subscriptions. The reports that you create can be viewed over a Web-based connection or

as part of a Microsoft Windows application or SharePoint site.

Describe Reporting Lifecycle.

The Reporting Lifecycle includes

Report designing – The designing is done in Visual Studio Report Designer. It generates a class which

embodies the Report Definition.

Report processing – The processing includes binging the report definition with data from the report

data source. It performs on all grouping, sorting and filtering calculations. The expressions are

evaluated except the page header, footer and section items. Later it fires the Binding event and Bound

event. As a result of the processing, it produces Report Instance. Report instance may be persisted and

stored which can be rendered at a later point of time.

Report Rendering: Report rendering starts by passing the Report Instance to a specific rendering

extension (HTML or PDF formats). The instance of reports is paged if paging supported by output

format. The expressions of items are evaluated in the page header and footer sections for every page.

As a final step, the report is rendered to the specific output document.


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How SSRS works?

Report

Manager

Provides web-based report access and management capabilities. Default URL

that invokes Report Manager is http://<server>/reports.

Report

Builder

Provides drag-and-drop, easy-to-use report design functionality. Report Builder

is an ad hoc end-user report authoring and publishing tool executed on a client

computer.

Report

Designer

Allows developers to develop complex reports. Report Designer is a

comprehensive report authoring and publishing tool, hosted in Business

Intelligence Development Studio or Visual Studio.

Report

Server

database

Stores report definitions, report metadata, report history, cached reports,

snapshots, resources, security settings, encrypted data, scheduling and

delivery data, and more.

Report

Server

The report server is the central component of a Reporting Services

installation. It consists of a pair of core processors plus a collection of special-

purpose extensions that handle authentication, data processing, rendering,

and delivery operations.


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Features

Relational, multidimensional, XML, and custom data sources

Build reports using data from any data source type that has a Microsoft .NET Framework-

managed data provider, OLE DB provider, or ODBC data source. You can create reports that use

relational and multidimensional data from SQL Server and Analysis Services, Oracle, Hyperion,

and other databases. You can use an XML data processing extension to retrieve data from any

XML data source. You can use table-valued functions to design custom data sources.

Tabular, matrix, chart, and free-form report layouts

Create tabular reports for column-based data, matrix reports for summarized data, chart

reports for graphical data, and free-form reports for everything else. By using the tablix data

region, you can create reports that combine table and matrix layouts. Reports can embed other

reports and charts, along with lists, graphics, and controls for dynamic Web-based applications.

Ad hoc reports

Create and save reports on the fly and save them locally or publish them directly to a report

server or SharePoint site, where they can be managed like other reports. Ad hoc reporting is

supported through report models and report templates using a ClickOnce application called

Report Builder 1.0. Model-based ad hoc reports provide infinite click through functionality so

users can explore the data that is available to them.

Drillthrough reports and interactivity

Add interactive features by providing links to subreports and drillthrough reports. Use

parameters to filter data for customized views.

Presentation formats

Choose a presentation format when you open the report, or after you open the report. You can

choose Web-oriented, page-oriented, and desktop application formats. Formats include HTML,

MHTML, PDF, XML, CSV, TIFF, Word, and Excel.

Custom controls and report items


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You can embed custom controls or report items that you create or purchase from a third-party

vendor. A custom control requires a custom report processing extension. You can add scripted

expressions in Microsoft Visual Basic.

Navigation

You can add bookmarks and document maps to provide navigation options within a large report.

Aggregations

You can aggregate and summarize data using controls and expressions.

Graphical elements

You can embed or reference images and other resources, including external content.

Reporting Services includes the following core components:

A complete set of tools that you can use to create, manage, and view reports.

A Report Server component that hosts and processes reports in a variety of formats. Output

formats include HTML, PDF, TIFF, Excel, CSV, and more.

An API that allows developers to integrate or extend data and report processing in custom

applications, or create custom tools to build and manage reports.

The reports that you build can be based on relational or multidimensional data from SQL Server,

Analysis Services, Oracle, or any Microsoft .NET data provider such as ODBC or OLE DB. You can create

tabular, matrix, and free-form reports. You can also create ad hoc reports that use predefined models

and data sources.

Although Reporting Services integrates with other Microsoft technologies out-of-the-box, developers

and third-party vendors can build components to support additional report output formats, delivery

formats, authentication models, and data source types. The development and run-time architecture

was purposely created in a modular design to support third-party extension and integration

opportunities.

SSRS competes with Crystal Reports and other business intelligence tools, and is included in Express,

Workgroup, Standard, and Enterprise editions of Microsoft SQL Server as an install option.


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Versions of SSRS

Reporting Services was first released in 2004 as an add-on to SQL Server 2000.

The second version was released as a part of SQL Server 2005 in November 2005.

The latest version was released as part of SQL Server 2008 in August 2008.

Interaction with the reports

Users can interact with the Report Server web service directly, or

Instead use Report Manager, a web-based application that interfaces with the Report Server

web service. With Report Manager, users can view, subscribe to, and manage reports as well as

manage and maintain data sources and security settings. Reports can be delivered via e-mail or

placed on a file system. Security is role-based and can be assigned on an individual item, such

as a report or data source, a folder of items, or site wide. Security roles and rights are

inherited and can be overloaded.

In addition to using the standalone Report Server that comes with SQL Server, RDL reports can

also be viewed using the ASP.NET ReportViewer web control or the ReportViewer Windows

Forms control. This allows reports to be embedded directly into web pages or .NET Windows

applications.

The ReportViewer control processes reports in one of two ways:

(a) server processing, where the report is rendered by and obtained from the Report Server;

(b) Local processing, where the control renders the RDL file itself.

What is RDL?

Report Definition Language (RDL) RDL describes all possible elements of a report using an XML

grammar that is validated by an XML schema. The report definition of an individual report is based on

RDL and contains instructions for rendering the design at run time. RDL is extensible. You can add


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support for elements or features that are not present in the existing RDL schema, and then build

custom tools and report rendering extensions to handle the features you create.

Type of SSRS reports

1. Parameterized reports

2. Linked reports

3. Snapshot reports

4. Cached reports

5. Ad hoc reports

6. Clickthrough reports

7. Drilldown reports

8. Drillthrough reports

9. Subreports

Parameterized reports

A parameterized report uses input values to complete report or data processing. With a parameterized

report, you can vary the output of a report based on values that are set when the report runs.

Parameterized reports are frequently used for drillthrough reports, linked reports, and subreports,

connecting and filtering reports with related data.

Using Parameters

Parameters are used in dataset queries to select report data, to filter the result set that the query

returns, or to set layout properties used to display or hide parts of a report. You can also specify

cascading parameters that populate a series of dependent, drop-down parameter lists. For example, a

drop-down list of Region parameter values can be used to populate a drop-down list of City parameter

values.

You can use parameters with linked reports by pairing a specific parameter with each linked report to

change the outcome. For example, you can create a single regional sales report that shows the sales

for all regions, and then use a parameter for each linked report to filter data for a particular region.

Specific parameter values can be stored with the report so that users do not have to type values.

http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb630404.aspx#Param

http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb630404.aspx#Link

http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb630404.aspx#Snapshot

http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb630404.aspx#Cache

http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb630404.aspx#AdHoc

http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb630404.aspx#Click

http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb630404.aspx#Drilldown

http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb630404.aspx#Drill

http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb630404.aspx#Sub


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Not all parameters may be visible in the report at run time. A report author, report server

administrator, or content manager can specify which values to use and then hide the input fields on

the report.

Query Parameters and Report Parameters

Reporting Services supports two kinds of parameters: query parameters and report parameters. Query

parameters are used during data processing to select or filter data. Query parameters are specified in

the syntax of a data processing extension. If a query parameter is specified, a value must be provided

either by the user or by default properties to complete the SELECT statement or stored procedure that

retrieves data for a report. Report parameters are used during report processing to show a different

aspect of the data. A report parameter is usually used to filter a large set of records, but it can have

other uses depending on the queries and expressions used in the report. Report parameters differ from

query parameters in that they are defined in a report and processed by the report server, while query

parameters are defined as part of the dataset query and processed on the database server

Linked Reports

A linked report is a report server item that provides an access point to an existing report. Conceptually, it is

similar to a program shortcut that you use to run a program or open a file.

A linked report is derived from an existing report and retains the original's report definition. A linked report

always inherits report layout and data source properties of the original report. All other properties and

settings can be different from those of the original report, including security, parameters, location,

subscriptions, and schedules.

You can create a linked report on the report server when you want to create additional versions of an

existing report. For example, you could use a single regional sales report to create region-specific reports for

all of your sales territories.

Although linked reports are typically based on parameterized reports, a parameterized report is not

required. You can create linked reports whenever you want to deploy an existing report with different

settings.

Snapshot Reports


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A report snapshot is a report that contains layout information and query results that were retrieved at a

specific point in time. Unlike on-demand reports, which get up-to-date query results when you select the

report, report snapshots are processed on a schedule and then saved to a report server. When you select a

report snapshot for viewing, the report server retrieves the stored report from the report server database

and shows the data and layout that were current for the report at the time the snapshot was created.

Report snapshots are not saved in a particular rendering format. Instead, report snapshots are rendered in a

final viewing format (such as HTML) only when a user or an application requests it. Deferred rendering

makes a snapshot portable. The report can be rendered in the correct format for the requesting device or

Web browser.

Report snapshots serve three purposes:

Report history. By creating a series of report snapshots, you can build a history of a report that shows

how data changes over time.

Consistency. Use report snapshots when you want to provide consistent results for multiple users who

must work with identical sets of data. With volatile data, an on-demand report can produce different

results from one minute to the next. A report snapshot, by contrast, allows you to make valid

comparisons against other reports or analytical tools that contain data from the same point in time.

Performance. By scheduling large reports to run during off-peak hours, you can reduce processing

impact on the report server during core business hours.

Cached Reports

A cached report is a saved copy of a processed report. Cached reports are used to improve performance by

reducing the number of processing requests to the report processor and by reducing the time required to

retrieve large reports. They have a mandatory expiration period, usually in minutes.

Clickthrough Reports

A clickthrough report is a report that displays related data from a report model when you click the

interactive data contained within your model-based report. These reports are generated by the report server

based on the information contained within the report model. The person who created the model determines

which fields are interactive and which fields are returned when a clickthrough report is opened. These field

settings cannot be changed in the report authoring tools.


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Clickthrough reports are auto generated. However, you can create an alternative customized report to the

model for interactive data items that is displayed instead. The custom report is a standard Reporting

Services report.

Drilldown Reports

Drilldown reports initially hide complexity and enable the user to toggle conditionally hidden report items to

control how much detail data they want to see. Drilldown reports must retrieve all possible data that can be

shown in the report. For reports with large amounts of data, consider Drillthrough reports instead.

Drillthrough Reports

Drillthrough reports are standard reports that are accessed through a hyperlink on a text box in the original

report. Drillthrough reports work with a main report and are the target of a drillthrough action for a report

item such as placeholder text or a chart. The main report displays summary information, for example in a

matrix or chart. Actions defined in the matrix or charts provide drillthrough links to reports that display

greater details based on the aggregate in the main report. Drillthrough reports can be filtered by

parameters, but they do not have to be. Drillthrough reports differ from subreports in that the report does

not display within the original report, but opens separately. They differ from clickthrough reports in that

they are not autogenerated from the data source, but are instead custom reports that are saved on the

report server. They differ from drilldown reports in that they retrieve the report data only for the specified

parameters or for the dataset query.

Subreports

A subreport is a report that displays another report inside the body of a main report. Conceptually, a

subreport is similar to a frame in a Web page. It is used to embed a report within a report. Any report can be

used as a subreport. The subreport can use different data sources than the main report. The report that the

subreport displays is stored on a report server, usually in the same folder as the parent report. You can set

up the parent report to pass parameters to the subreport.

Although a subreport can be repeated within data regions using a parameter to filter data in each instance

of the subreport, subreports are typically used with a main report as a briefing book or as a container for a

collection of related reports.

For reports with many instances of subreports, consider using drillthrough reports instead.


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Comparison of Subreport, Drillthrough and Nested Data Regions

Trait Subreport Drillthrough Nested

Uses dataset of

main report

Same or different Same or different Same

Retrieves data Data retrieved at the same

time as main report

Data retrieved one drillthrough

report at a time

Data retrieved all at the

same time as main

report

Is processed and

rendered

With the main report When link is clicked With the main report.

Performs Slower (but retrieves all data

with main report)

Faster (but does not retrieve all

data with main report)

Faster (and retrieves all

data with main report)

Uses parameters Yes Yes No

Can be reused As report, or subreport or

drillthrough report in other

reports

As report, or subreport or

drillthrough report in other

reports

Cannot be reused.

Is located External to main report, same

or different report server

External to main report, same

report server

Internal to main report

Is displayed In the main report In a different report In the main report

Report Design Basics (SSRS)

Create a basic report; you must specify which data you need for a report, how you want to organize it on the

page, and how you want a user to view the report.


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Parts of a Basic Report

A report has a header, a body, and a footer. A report also has a default page size with page headers and

page footers. You can place report items such as images, text boxes, and lines in headers and footers. The

body of the report contains the report data. You can place any type of report item in the body, including

tables, matrices, lists, charts, and gauges. You link report data to report items on the design surface. When

the report is processed, the report data and layout items are combined. When you view the report, the

combined data and layout elements are sent to a report renderer. The renderer dynamically determines how

much data fits on each page. Report parameters are used to specify the data to use in a report, connect

related reports together, and vary report presentation.

In a report, you can place report items anywhere on the design surface; you are not limited to "bands" of

data. You can place data regions with different sets of data side-by-side. Certain report items can also

contain other report items.

Specifying Report Data

Reports use the following types of report data: a report dataset with a field collection (from a query that

runs on a data source and returns data in rows and columns, where the column names provide the default

field collection), built-in fields, images that are used in the report, and report parameters. Report data is

organized on the Report Data pane. Report data is linked to report layout elements through report

expressions. Expressions can be written using built-in libraries or can access the full range of Visual

Basic .NET Framework classes.

When your dataset query includes variables, query parameters are automatically created for the dataset,

and corresponding report parameters are automatically created for the report. When the user runs the

report, they can type or select values that help customize the report data for their interests.

Organizing Report Data on a Page

Reports use a variety of report items to organize data on a report page. Report items are available in the

Toolbox. You drag report items to the report design surface and then drag report data from the Report Data

pane to the report items on the design surface. The design surface is not WYSIWIG. The report items have an

initial layout position that may change when the report is processed. The following list describes typical uses

for different report items:


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Textbox. Use for titles, date stamps, and report names. Placeholder text appears in text boxes where

you have linked data and layout items. The placeholder text is display text for an underlying report

expression. During report processing, report data is substituted for the report expressions and the

calculated values replace the placeholder text.

Table, Matrix. Use to display tabular or crosstab data from a report dataset. Table and Matrix are

templates of a Tablix data region and provide a starting grid layout for data from a report dataset.

Chart. Use to graphically display data from a report dataset. You can also nest a chart inside a Tablix

data region.

Map. Use to present data against a geographical background. Reports can use spatial data that

defines the map from built-in maps, SQL Server databases, Environmental Systems Research Institute,

Inc. (ESRI) shape files, or Microsoft Virtual Earth Tiles.

Gauge. Use to present a visual image for a single value within a range of values.

List. Use to create a free-form layout like forms on a Web page. A List is a template of a Tablix data

region and provides a starting layout for data from a report dataset.

Image. Use to add existing images to a report.

Subreport. Use as a placeholder another report. A subreport must be designed separately and

published to the report server to be included in a parent report.

Line, Rectangle. Use lines and rectangles as graphical elements. A rectangle can also be used as a

container for other report items. Use a rectangle to help control how report items like data regions

appear on a report page when the report is rendered.

A typical report uses Tablix data regions. You drag fields from the Report Data pane and drop them on a

Tablix cell for a data region, or to the Grouping pane to define groups for the selected data region.

Working with Specific Types of Report Items

Working with Parameters (Single Valued and Multiple Valued Parameters

The primary purpose of report parameters is to filter data at the data source, and retrieve just

what is needed for the purpose of the report.

For report parameters, find a balance between enabling interactivity and helping a user get the

results they want. For example, you can set default values for a parameter to values that you

know are popular.

Disadvantages in using Multiple Valued Parameters are

Does not accept NULL values.


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Should be evaluated as string.

Affects performance.

Cannot be used in filters.

Requires string manipulation logic in stored procedures.

Working with Text

When you paste multiline into a text box, the text is added as one text run. Each text run can

only be formatted as a unit. To format each line independently, insert a new line by pressing

RETURN in the text run as needed. You can then apply formatting and styles to each

independent line of text in the text box.

You can set format properties and actions on a text box or on placeholder text in the text box. If

there is only one line of text, it is more efficient to set properties on the text box than on the

text.

Working with Expressions

Understand simple and complex expression formats. You can type simple expression format

directly into text boxes, properties in the Property pane, or in locations in dialog boxes that

accept an expression. For more information, see Expressions (Report Builder 3.0 and SSRS).

When you create an expression, it helps to create each part independently and verify its value.

You can then combine all the parts into a final expression. A useful technique is to add a text

box in a matrix cell, display each part of the expression, and set conditional visibility on the text

box. To control the border style and color when the text box is hidden, first place the text box

in a rectangle, and then set the border style and color of the rectangle to match the matrix.

Working with Indicators

By default, an indicator shows at least three states. After you add an indicator to a report, you

can configure it by adding or removing states. For easier viewing by your users, choose an

indicator that varies by both color and shape.

http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/dd220516.aspx


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Filtering, Grouping, and Sorting Data (Report Builder 3.0

and SSRS)

In a report, expressions are used to help control, organize, and sort report data. By default, as you

create datasets and design the report layout, properties of report items are set automatically to

expressions based on the dataset fields, parameters, and other items that appear in the Report Data

pane. You can also add an interactive sort button to a table or matrix cell to enable a user to

interactively change the row sort order for groups or rows within groups.

Filter expressions A filter expression tests data for inclusion or exclusion based on a

comparison that you specify. Filters are applied to data in a report after the data is retrieved

from a data connection. You can add any combination of filters to the following items: a shared

dataset definition on the report server; a shared dataset instance or embedded dataset in a

report; a data region such as a table or a chart; or a data region group, such as a row group in a

table or a category group in a chart.

Group expressions A group expression organizes data based on a dataset field or other value.

Group expressions are created automatically as you build the report layout. The report processor

evaluates group expressions after filters are applied to the data, and as report data and data

regions are combined. You can customize a group expression after it is created.

Sort expressions A sort expression controls the order in which data appears in a data region.

Sort expressions are created automatically as you build the report layout. By default, a sort

expression for a group is set to the same value as the group expression. You can customize a sort

expression after it is created.

Interactive sort To enable a user to sort or reverse the sort order of a column, you can add an

interactive sort button to a column header or group header cell in a table or matrix.

Previewing or Exporting the Report

When you run a report using Preview, the report authoring client processes the report locally and displays

the rendered report in HTML. Reporting Services extensions perform much of this work: a data processing


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extension is used to retrieve the data based on the type of data source and a rendering extension is used to

provide report output based on the selected format. To see the report in other rendering formats, use the

Export button on the toolbar. Different extensions can change the way data is processed and the report is

rendered.

When you publish (also known as deploy) a report to the report server, you must accept or change the

default deployment properties. The report server processes and renders the report. Then you view the

report using Report Manager by browsing to the report location on the report server, for example,

http://localhost/reports/reportname.

Pagination

Pagination in a report is determined by the page size of the report and any page breaks placed on report

items. Rendering extensions that support page size, such as Image and PDF, format the data in the report to

fit within each page. Rendering extensions that do not support page size render all data between page

breaks on a single page. Some extensions that do not support page size may employ soft page breaks. The

HTML rendering extension does this. The position of soft page breaks are determined by the size of the page,

but are not as exact as page breaks placed by rendering extensions that support page size. All rendering

extensions that support page breaks on items will start a new page after each page break in the report.

Designing Reports in Report Designer and Report Builder 3.0 (SSRS)

The following table summarizes differences in the two report authoring environments for typically used features.

Area Report Builder 3.0 Report Designer

Description Report Builder is a report authoring

environment for business users who

prefer to work in the Microsoft Office

environment. You work with one report

at a time. You can modify a published

report directly from a report server. You

can quickly build a report by adding

items from the Report Part Gallery

provided by report designers from your

Report Designer in Business Intelligence

Development Studio is a report authoring

environment that is hosted in

Microsoft Visual Studio. Use Report

Designer project and solution files to

organize and maintain a master copy of

report definitions, report parts, shared

data sources, shared datasets, and

resource files such as images and ESRI


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organization. shapefiles for maps.

Getting Data Navigate to a report server, and add a

reference to a shared data source or

shared dataset on the report server.

Create shared datasets in Shared Dataset

View, and save them to the report

server.

For an embedded (local) dataset, write a

query or build a query by using the

relational query designer. You can

retrieve data from any built-in data

source type locally or any report server

data source type from the report server.

Custom data sources on the client are not

supported. To preview a report,

credentials must be valid on the client to

run dataset queries and on the server to

preview a report.

Publish a shared data source or shared

dataset to a report server. To preview a

report, define credentials that work with

the local computer. After you publish a

shared data source, you might need to

modify the credentials to work from the

report server. From project properties,

you can control whether to publish

shared data sources and shared datasets.

Use configuration properties to create

multiple sets of project properties for

production or debug modes.

Add a custom data extension and install

it locally and on the report server.

Tables,

Matrices, and

Lists

Use the Tablix Wizard to add a table,

matrix, or list to a report.

Manually add a table, matrix, or list to a

report from the toolbox or from the

right-click menu.

Report Parts Select from a list report parts on the

report server.

Publish items in a report as report parts.

Mark items as report parts. Publish them

when you deploy the project.

Charts,

Sparklines, and

Data Bars

Use the Chart Wizard to add chart to a

report.

Manually add a chart to a report from the

toolbox or from the right-click menu.

Maps Publish ESRI shapefiles to the report

server first, and then add a reference to

an ESRI file from your report.

Include ESRI shapefiles as resources in

your project and publish them to the

report server.

Images, Text

Boxes,

Rectangles, and

Publish image files to the report server

first, and then add a reference to the

image from your report.

Include images as resources in your

project and publish them to the report

server.


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Lines

Formatting

Report Items

Use tabs and groups on the Ribbon to

format items on the design surface.

Use Visual Studio toolbars to format

items on the design surface.

Filtering,

Grouping, and

Sorting

In Report Design mode, create groups by

using the Table/Matrix and Chart wizard.

By default, sort expressions are set to

group expressions.

In Shared Dataset mode, set dataset

filter options, and then save the shared

dataset to the report server or

SharePoint site.

Manually create groups by dragging fields

from the Report Data pane to the Table

and Matrix row group and column group

panes or to the Chart category and series

panes. By default, sort expressions are

set to group expressions.

In Solution Explorer, in the Shared

Datasets folder, set dataset filters, and

save them in the project. When you

deploy the project, the shared datasets

are saved to the report server or

SharePoint site.

Drillthrough,

Drilldown,

Subreports, and

Nested Data

Regions

Drillthrough and subreports are supported

only in server mode. Not supported in

local mode.

Add an expand/collapse action to an item

by using the Table or Matrix Wizard.

In local mode, add references to reports

in the project for drillthrough targets or

subreports.

The Table or Matrix Wizard is not

available.

Manually add an expand/collapse action

to an item on the Text Box Properties

dialog box or the Group Dialog box from a

group displayed in the Grouping pane.

Expressions Use default expressions to display, group,

and sort data in the report. You can write

expressions in Microsoft Visual Basic, but

there are fewer options for debugging

than in Report Designer.

Write expressions in Visual Basic. The

expression editor provides IntelliSense

syntax support. Use the Output window

to view warnings and compile-time error

messages. Add references to .NET

Framework assemblies or to custom

assemblies that contain your custom

code.


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What's New in SQL Server 2008 R2

The following Reporting Services features are new in SQL Server 2008 R2.

SharePoint Integration

Collaboration and Reuse

Data Sources

Data Visualization

Report Layout and Processing

Aggregates, Expressions, and Functions

Report Authoring Tools

Cache Refresh Plans

Report Manager Enhancements

Business Intelligence Development Studio

New Web Service Endpoint

New Report Definition Language Schema

SharePoint Integration

Reporting Services with SharePoint integration has several new features. These include support for

multiple SharePoint Zones, support for the SharePoint Universal Logging service, a new data extension,

a query designer for SharePoint Lists as a data source, and support for right-to-left text with Arabic and

Hebrew in the SharePoint user interface. The SharePoint List data extension supports getting data from

the SharePoint technologies: SharePoint lists for SharePoint Foundation 2010, SharePoint Server 2010,

Windows SharePoint Services 3.0, and Office SharePoint Server 2007.

Collaboration and Reuse

Reporting Services provides new features that enable and enhance collaboration and reuse within the

reporting environment.

Report Parts

Report parts are report items that you store on a report server, or on a SharePoint site that is

integrated with a report server. You can reuse report parts in multiple reports, and you can update

them on the server.


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The report part that you add to your report maintains a relationship to the instance of the report part

on the site or server by means of a unique ID.

Report parts let work groups utilize the different strengths and roles of their team members. For

example, one person can create charts and save them as report parts that others can reuse in their

reports.

Shared Datasets

Shared datasets are a new type of report server item that can retrieve data from shared data sources

that connect to external data sources. A shared dataset provides a way to share a query to help

provide a consistent set of data for multiple reports. The dataset query can include dataset

parameters. You can configure a shared dataset to cache query results for specific parameter

combinations on first use or by specifying a schedule. You can use shared dataset caching in

combination with report caching and report data feeds to help manage access to a data source.

Like report parts, a shared dataset that is added to a report maintains a relationship to the definition

of the dataset on the report server. Unlike report parts, when the definition is changed, you do not

have to accept updates. All reports that have the relationship always use the shared dataset definition

on the report server.

Data Sources

Reporting Services supports three new data sources types: Microsoft SQL Azure, Microsoft SQL Server

Parallel Data Warehouse, and Microsoft SharePoint List.

The Microsoft SQL Azure data source type connects to SQL Server databases in the cloud and

enable reports to retrieve and render report data from SQL Azure databases.

The Microsoft SQL Server Parallel Data Warehouse data source type connects to a Microsoft SQL

Server Parallel Data Warehouse and enable reports to retrieve and render report data from SQL

Server databases.

SQL Server Parallel Data Warehouse Connection Type (SSRS) -Microsoft SQL Server 2008 R2

Parallel Data Warehouse is a scalable data warehouse appliance that delivers performance and

scalability through massively parallel processing. SQL Server PDW uses SQL Server 2008 R2

databases for distributed processing and data storage.

The appliance partitions large database tables across multiple physical nodes, with each node

running its own instance of SQL Server 2008 R2. When a report connects to SQL Server PDW to


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retrieve report data, it connects to the control node, which manages query processing, in

the SQL Server PDW appliance. After the connection is made, there are no differences between

working with an instance of SQL Server that is and is not within a SQL Server PDW environment.

To include data from SQL Server PDW in your report, you must have a dataset that is based on a

report data source of type Microsoft SQL Server Parallel Data Warehouse. This built-in data

source type is based on the Microsoft SQL Server Parallel Data Warehouse data extension. Use

this data source type to connect to and retrieve data from SQL Server PDW.

This data extension supports multivalued parameters, server aggregates, and credentials

managed separately from the connection string.

Microsoft SharePoint List data source type connects to a SharePoint site and enables reports to

retrieve and render report data from SharePoint lists.

Data Visualization

Reporting Services provided three new ways to visualize data in reports: maps, sparklines and data

bars, and indicators.

Maps

Report Designer provides a Map Wizard and Map Layer Wizard to add maps and map layers to your

report to help visualize data against a geographic background. A map layer displays map elements

based on spatial data from a map in the Map Gallery, from a SQL Server query that returns SQL Server

spatial data, or from an Environmental Systems Research Institute, Inc. (ESRI) shapefile. Map elements

can be polygons that represent areas, lines that represent paths or routes, or points that represent

locations such as stores or cities. You can also add a display background based on Microsoft Bing Maps

tiles.

After you relate map elements with report data, you can specify rules for the map elements on each

layer to control color, size, width, or marker type. For example, you can add a bubble map that varies

bubble size for store locations based on sales or a color analytical map that displays customer

demographics for geographic regions.

You can add labels, legends, titles, a color scale, and a distance scale to help your users interpret the

map display. You can add interactive features such as tooltips and drillthrough links, or provide

parameters that enable a user to interactively control the visibility of each layer.


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In a map report, you can use the map wizard to configure an existing map layer. You can change the

type of map, the data visualization rules, and change match field that specifies the relationship

between spatial data and analytical data. The Specify the match fields for spatial and analytical data

wizard page displays data from both the spatial data source and the analytical data source to help you

choose the field on which to match.

Sparklines and Data Bars

Sparklines and data bars are simple charts that convey a lot of information in a little space, often

inline with text. Sparklines and data bars are often used in tables and matrices. Their impact comes

from viewing many of them together and being able to quickly compare them, instead of viewing them

singly. This makes it easy to see the outliers. Each sparkline often represents multiple data points over

time. Data bars can represent multiple data points, but typically illustrate only one. Each sparkline

typically presents a single series. You cannot add a sparkline to a detail group in a table. Because

sparklines display aggregated data, they must go in a cell that is associated with a group.

Sparklines and data bars have the same basic chart elements of categories, series, and values, but they

have no legend, axis lines, labels, or tick marks.

Indicators

Indicators are minimal gauges that convey the state of a single data value at a glance. The icons that

represent indicators and their states are visually effective, even when they are used in small sizes.

Indicators can be used by themselves in dashboards or free-form reports, but they are most commonly

used in tables or matrices to visualize data in rows or columns.

Indicators can show trends by using directional images such as arrows; ratings by using incremental

icons such as stars; and states by using images such as traffic lights or check marks. Indicators are

available in Report Builder 3.0 and Report Designer.

Report Layout and Rendering

Reporting Services provides new features that help you create reports that render the way you want

and are useful in different ways such as the source of data feeds and exported to Microsoft Excel.

Naming Excel Worksheet Tabs

Properties of reports and page breaks let you generate the names of worksheet tabs when you export

reports to Excel. You can provide an initial page name of a report that can be exported as the default


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name of worksheet tabs, or use page breaks and page names to provide different names for each

worksheet tab.

Rendering Reports to Data Feeds

The Reporting Services Atom rendering extension renders reports data to an Atom service document,

which lists the data feeds and the data feeds, which contains the report data. You use this extension to

generate Atom-compliant data feeds that are readable and exchangeable with applications that can

consume data feeds generated from reports. For example the PowerPivot client can consume data

feeds that are generated from Atom-compliant data feeds.

Using report data as data feeds gives you an additional way to provide data to applications when the

data is not easily accessible through client data providers, or you prefer to hide the complexity of the

data source and make it simpler to use the data.

You can export report data to an Atom service document and data feeds from Report Manager or a

SharePoint site that is integrated with Reporting Services.

Report Pagination

Page breaks on tablix data regions (table, matrix, and list), groups, and rectangles give you better

control of report pagination. Report pages, delimited by page breaks, can have different page names

and reset page numbering. By using expressions, the page names and page numbers can be dynamically

updated when the report is run. You can also disable page breaks entirely, or based on expression

values.

Rotating Text 270 Degrees

Text boxes can now be rotated 270 degrees. Standalone text boxes in a report header or footer, the

report body, or text boxes in the cells of tables and matrices can display text written vertically and

bottom to top. This rotation helps you create more readable reports, fit more columns on a printed

report with fixed page size, and create reports with more graphical appeal.

Aggregates, Expressions, and Functions


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Calculating Aggregates of Aggregates

You can create expressions that calculate an aggregate of an aggregate. For example, in a cell in the

row group header that is associated with a group based on year, you can calculate the average monthly

sales for year by using the expression =Avg(Sum(Fields!Sales.Value,"Month"),"Year").

By using this feature for charts and gauges that are nested in a table, you can align horizontal and

vertical axes for charts and scales for gauges. You do this by calculating the maximum and minimum of

aggregated values so the nested items use the same ranges.

Enhanced Support for Expressions

New globals and a new property for report variables are introduced in this release.

The following additional items have been added to the built-in globals collection.

OverallPageNumber and OverallTotalPages Support for page numbering for the entire

rendered report. New properties that are related to page breaks control how the page

numbering occurs over page breaks that are set on report items.

PageName Support for naming pages.

RenderFormat Support for information that is specified for the renderer.

Report variables now have a read-only property that is set by default. Advanced expression writers can

clear this option to preserve the value of a report variable throughout a report session. This is the

equivalent of setting the Writable property for a report variable in RDL. Report variables are still

calculated once, and then recalculated every time the report is reprocessed. This property provides a

way to persist data across report rendering, page changes, and some types of user interaction. The

value of the variable is set when the report is reprocessed, but is maintained in the current session. In

custom code, you can specify the variable value by using the SetValue function.

Lookup Functions

Expressions in data regions can now include references to Lookup Function (Report Builder 3.0 and

SSRS), LookupSet Function (Report Builder 3.0 and SSRS), and Multilookup Function (Report Builder 3.0

and SSRS). These lookup functions can retrieve values from a dataset that has name/value pairs and

that is not bound to the data region.

Report Authoring Tools

http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ee210531.aspx






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Report Builder and Report Designer includes a number of new and enhanced features.

Creating Queries

The updated graphical query designer used to create queries that retrieve report data from Microsoft

SQL Server, Microsoft SQL Azure, and Microsoft SQL Server Parallel Data Warehouse databases provides

a user interface to create custom relationships between related and unrelated tables. The query

designer also makes it easy to include aggregates and grouping that summarize data in queries.

The new graphical query designer for the Microsoft SharePoint List data source type makes it easy to

create queries that retrieve report data from SharePoint lists. The query designer lists the fields in

each SharePoint list item on a SharePoint site for you to include in the query and enable you to define

filters to apply to limit the data that the query returns.

Previewing Reports in Report Builder 3.0

Report Builder 3.0 provides a better preview experience. The introduction of edit sessions enables the

reuse of cached datasets when previewing reports. This means that reports render more quickly when

using the cached datasets. Edit sessions are bound to a report, which makes it possible to use relative

references and subreport references in reports.

Making It Easier to Design and Edit Reports

The run-time credentials, specified in the data source properties of a report, might not work for design

time tasks such as creating queries and previewing reports. Report Builder 3.0 provides a user interface

for changing credentials when it is unable to connect to the data source.

Cache Refresh Plans

Cache refresh plans let you cache reports or shared dataset query results on first use or from a

schedule. You can schedule the cache by using an item-specific schedule or a shared schedule. By

creating cache refresh plans for commonly used parameter combinations, you can help improve data

retrieval and report viewing response times.

In previous releases, scheduled caching was achieved by using the NULL delivery provider. By using

cache refresh plans, you can manage and schedule report caching separately from report subscriptions.

Report Manager Enhancements


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Report Manager has been updated in this release to provide a better user experience, and an improved

look and feel. The most dramatic change for Report Manager is the updated color scheme and layout,

which provides easier navigation to manage report properties and report server items. You can use a

new drop-down menu on each report or report server item in a folder to access the various

configuration options for the report or item you choose.

The tool maintains the familiar text and same management tasks, but offers an improved user

experience by:

Improving the workflow for viewing and managing reports and report server items by using a new

drop-down menu to access various configuration options for each report or report server item in

a folder.

Eliminating the need to render a report before accessing and configuring report properties when

in default view.

Allowing more room for Report Viewer when rendering reports.

An updated Report Viewer toolbar, which includes some updates to the toolbar controls, as well

as the ability to export report data to an Atom service document and data feeds.

Business Intelligence Development Studio

Business Intelligence Development Studio supports working with both SQL Server 2008 and SQL Server

2008 R2 reports, and with Report Server projects in the SQL Server 2008 R2 version of Business

Intelligence Development Studio. You can open, save, preview, and deploy either version of reports or

Report Server projects. You set Report Server project properties to specify the version of the report

server to deploy reports to and how to handle warnings and errors which might occur when up either

upgrade a report from SQL Server 2008 to SQL Server 2008 R2, or revert a report from SQL Server 2008

R2 to SQL Server 2008.

New Web Service Endpoint

The report server includes a new management endpoint named ReportingService2010. This endpoint

merges the functionalities of both the ReportingService2005 and ReportingService2006 endpoints, and

can support management operations of the report server in both native mode and SharePoint

integrated mode. It also includes new features that are introduced in SQL Server 2008 R2, such as

shared datasets and cache refresh.


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New Report Definition Language Schema

The Report Definition Language schema includes a new <ReportSections> element and elements that

define the map report item. In this release, only reports that have one report section can be opened in

Report Builder 3.0 or Report Designer in Business Intelligence Development Studio.


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Configure Report Server

Start->Programs->SQL Server 2008 R2Configuration Tools-> Reporting Services Configuration Manager

Screen shots:


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Creating a sample report in Report Builder 3.0

Screen shots


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Report Creation Using BIDS

Screen Shots


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ssrs tutorial

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