To copy/migrate reports from one server to another

1. Download rdls from SSRS to local PC
2. Upload files to a SSRS server
3. Attach datasources automatically on upload(Data source name given in the report must exist on server)

Browse to the RDL file folder or location

In this case Im going to download databaselist RDL file as shown below. Click on Show Details link in the page located on top right corner.

• Now it will show the files in detailed view, now click on the Edit Button as shown

• Now to download the RDL file click on the Edit button under Report Definition tab as shown. Your download window will now pop up.

SQL Server 2008 R2

In SQL Server 2008 R2 Microsoft has made this pretty straight forward.

• Connect to Report Manager URL (ex: http://localhost/Reports_RS/Pages/Folder.aspx)
• Browse to the RDL file folder or location
• Click on the drop down menu near the RDL file. In this case Im going to download dblist file
• Now just click on download button as shown, your download window will pop up now.

references: http://code.google.com/p/reportsync/
http://sql-articles.com/articles/general/download-export-rdl-files-from-report-server/

SQL Server Reporting Services (SSRS) Interview questions and answers : 6

21. How do you reference an embedded function in a report expression?


Use the Code prefix and the name of the function to reference an embedded function in a report expression.

22. Which of the following are valid options for deploying a report? (Choose all that apply.)

a. With BIDS

b. With the Computer Management console

c. With the .nET START command

d. With SSMS

e. With Report Manager

The correct answers are a and e, BIDS and Report Manager.

23. Why should you not overwrite a shared data source in production?

You should not overwrite a production-shared data source because the administrator has probably already changed some connection string properties.

24. Can you edit a report that an end user created by using Report Builder in BIDS?

Yes, if an end user created a report by using Report Builder in BIDS and saved the report definition file, you can open the file in BIDS and edit it.

25. How can you manage reports from your application if the report server is deployed in SharePoint integrated mode?

Use the ReportService2006 endpoint of the SSRS Web service if your report server is deployed in SharePoint integrated mode.

26. In which processing mode of a report viewer control can you use the full functionality of your report server?

You should use the remote processing mode to use the full functionality of your report server.

27. What types of roles are available in SSRS 2008, and what are their purposes?

Item-level roles and system-level roles are the two types of roles available in SSRS 2008. An item-level role is a collection of tasks related to operations on an object of the report object hierarchy of SSRS 2008. A system-level role is a collection of tasks related to operations on server objects outside the report object hierarchy of SSRS 2008.

28. Can a user or group belong to more than one item-level or system-level role?

Yes, in SSRS 2008, a user or group can have more than one association to a system-level or an item-level role.

29. When storing the credentials of a data source in the server, are those credentials safe?

Yes, the data source credentials are safe because Reporting Services encrypts them and stores them in the ReportServer SQL Server database.

30. What happens if you do not specify a parameter value in a subscription and the parameter does not have a default value?

If you do not specify a parameter value in a subscription and the parameter does not have a default value, the execution of the report will fail.

31. You want to create a subscription to a report. However, when you right-click the Subscription subfolder of the report, you notice that the new Subscription option is dimmed. What is wrong?

When the new Subscription option is dimmed, the report probably does not use stored credentials for accessing the data. SSRS needs these credentials stored in its own ReportServer database to execute a report on a schedule.

32. What can you do if your query with properties for a data-driven subscription does not provide values for all of the subscription properties?

If your query with properties for a data-driven subscription does not provide values for all of the subscription properties, you can use text and default values instead. These values are then used for parameters of all subscriptions you get from the query.

33. What mechanisms do you identify to reduce the overhead of Reporting Services data sources?

Snapshots and cached reports can help reduce the processing pressure on data sources and improve report response time.

34. Can you always create a cache of a report?

No, you can create a cache of a report only when certain requirements, such as having credentials stored in the Report Server, are met.

35. Can you edit the .rdl code associated with a linked report?

No, because a linked report has no .rdl code of its own. It refers to the .rdl code of the base report.

36. Which of the tools and utilities described in this lesson can change or create the virtual directories for the report server and Report Manager after installation?

Only Reporting Services Configuration Manager can enable and name the virtual directories for the report server and Report Manager.

37. What is the file name extension for an encryption key backup?

Encryption key backups have an .snk file name extension.

38. What are the three SSRS command-line utilities and their primary functions?

RSConfig.exe is used to define the connection properties from the SSRS instance to the Report Server database; RSKeyMgmt.exe performs encryption key operations and scale-out deployment setup; RS.exe runs Report Server Script files that can perform report deployment and management operations.

39. If you want to disable one of the rendering options in the Save As drop-down list when viewing a report through Report Manager, where do you do that?

The visibility property for any of the rendering devices can be changed by modifying the RSReportServer.config file and locating the tag for the specific device.

SQL Server Reporting Services (SSRS) Interview questions and answers : 5

1. You want to include an image in a report. How do you display the Image Properties dialog box?


When you drag an image item from the Toolbox window to the Report Designer, the Image Properties dialog box automatically opens.

2. You want to configure an amount to display the value in a currency format. Which property do you use?

To configure an amount to display a value in a currency format, select the report item, and then set the format property to C or c.

3. What are data regions?

Data regions are report items that display repeated rows of summarized information from datasets.

4. You want to generate a report that is formatted as a chart. Can you use the Report Wizard to create such a report?

No, the Report Wizard lets you create only tabular and matrix reports. you must create the chart report directly by using the Report Designer.

5. You want to use BIDS to deploy a report to a different server than the one you chose in the Report Wizard. How can you change the server URL?

You can right-click the project in Solution Explorer and then change the Target-Server URL property.

6. Which rendering formats are affected by the PageSize properties?

Because only the Adobe PDf file, Word, and Image rendering extensions use physical page breaks, they are the only formats that are affected by the PageSize properties.

7. Can you use a stored procedure to provide data to an SSRS report?

Yes, you can use a stored procedure to provide data to an SSRS report by configuring the dataset to use a stored procedure command type. However, your stored procedure should return only a single result set. If it returns multiple result sets, only the first one is used for the report dataset.

8. You want to use a perspective in an MDX query. How do you select the perspective?

Use the Cube Selector in the MDX Query Designer to select a perspective.

9. Can you use data mining models in SSRS?

Yes, you can use the DMX Designer to create data mining queries for SSRS reports. However, do not forget to flatten the result set returned by the DMX query.

10. You want your report to display a hyperlink that will take users to your intranet. How do you configure such a hyperlink?

Create a text box item, set the action to Go To URL, and then configure the URL.

11. You want a report to display Sales by Category, SubCategory, and Product. You want users to see only summarized information initially but to be able to display the details as necessary. How would you create the report?

Group the Sales information by Category, SubCategory, and Product. Hide the SubCategory group and set the visibility to toggle based on the Category item. Hide the Product category group and set the visibility to toggle based on the SubCategory item.

12. You want to create an Excel interactive report from SSRS. In SSRS, can you create the same interactive experience in Excel that you would have on the Web?

No, you cannot create the same experience with SSRS. you can, however, use Excel to create such an experience.

13. What is the main difference between a Matrix report item and a Table report item?

The main difference between a Matrix and a Table report item is in the initial template. Actually, both report items are just templates for the Tablix data region.

14. When you do not use report caching, is it better to use parameters to filter information in the query or to use filters in the dataset?

From a performance perspective, it is better to use parameters because they let SSRS pull filtered data from the data source. In contrast, when you use filters, the queries retrieve all data and then filter the information in an additional step.

15. How do you configure a running aggregate in SSRS?

You can use the RunningValue function to configure a running aggregate.

16. What is the main purpose of a report parameter?

The main purpose of a report parameter is to add interactivity to your reports, letting users change the report behavior based on options they select.

17. What is the main purpose of a query parameter?

The main purpose of a query parameter is to filter data in the data source.

18. You want your users to select a parameter from a list of values in a list box. How should you configure the parameter?

You should create a data source that contains the possible values and then bind the data source to the parameter.

19. What is the main benefit of using embedded code in a report?

The main benefit of using embedded code in a report is that the code you write at the report level can be reused in any expression in the report.

20. What programming language would you use to create embedded functions in SSRS?

An SSRS report supports only visual Basic .nET embedded code.

SQL Server Reporting Services (SSRS) Interview Question and Answers

SQL Server reporting service tool is the microsoft reporting tool. SSRS requirment is growing across the organizations and they are looking for skilled SSRS resource.


I am sharing the interview questions with short answers which can help developers to get prepared for the interview.For more details and correctness of the answer provided visit other repository for study material.


SQL Server Reporting Services (SSRS) Interview Question and Answers : 1
 
SQL Server Reporting Services (SSRS) Interview Question and Answers : 2
 
SQL Server Reporting Services (SSRS) Interview Question and Answers : 3
 
SQL Server Reporting Services (SSRS) Interview Question and Answers : 4

SQL Server Reporting Services (SSRS) Interview Question and Answers : 5

SQL Server Reporting Services (SSRS) Interview Question and Answers : 6

SQL Server Reporting Services (SSRS) Interview questions and answers : 3

What are the drilldown reports? Give one example.


Drill down reports are the reports which can collapse or expand as per requirement i.e. information can be drilled down in to minor level information if required.

For example when you group by the data at particular group. At the group level you can get the sum or any other information which you want to see. When you expand it you will get the row level data.

For drill down there will be + sign on the row through which you can drill.

What are sub reports and how to create them?

Sub reports are the reports which can be called in main report and can be generate through main report.

Parameters can be passed from main report to sub report and basis of that report can be generated.

What is the report model project?

Report model project is for creating Adhoc reporting. You can create the adhoc reports through report builder.

Report model project can be created on bids or report server. This model can have simple view. And using

What is report server project?

Report Server Project contains the RDL file and it need to be deployed on report server to view the report files to application and user.

It a solution where we design our reports. You can add it by going into BIDS clicking on new item and then selecting reports server project. Once the solution is created you can start creating reports.

In which SQL Server version report builder introduced?

Report builder introduced in SQL Server 2005. While creating or deploying report model project on report server you can get error or it might not get created. For this you need to check whether the service pack 2 is installed or not.

How to deploy the Report?

Report can be deployed in three ways.

1. Using visual studio: In visual studio you can directly deploy the report through solution explorer by providing the report server URL in project properties at Target Server URL. This will deploy entire project or single report as per you selection.

2. Using report server: Can directly go to the report server and deploy the report by browsing the report from the disk location on server.

3. Creating the utility: SQL server provides the utility using that which can be used to create a customize utility for your report deployment in bulk.

What is RS.exe utility?

Rs.exe utility is used for deploying the report on report server. It comes with the report server and can be customize accordingly.

What is the name of reporting services config file and what’s it’s used for?

Reporting service config file is used for report configuration details. It contains the report format and also the report import types. Report service config reside at ISS.

What are the three different part of RDL file explain them?

In visual studio RDL files has three parts.

1. Data: It contains the dataset on which we write the query. Data set is connected with data source.

2. Design: In design you can design report. Can create tables and matrix reports. Drag columns values from source.

3. Preview: to check the preview after the report run.

Which language rdl files made of?

RDL files are written in XML.

What is the chart in report?

Chart reports are for graphical representation. You can get pie charts columns harts and various other options.

3d charts are also available in reporting services.

What is Data Set in report?

Data set are the set of data which we want to show in report. Data creates on data source. Data source is the source of data from where we are getting this data i.e. database server and database name connection string.

What are the different types of data sources in SSRS?

SSRS use different data source. Some of them are listed below.

1. Microsoft SQL Server

2. OLEDB

3. Oracle

4. ODBC

5. SQL Server Analysis Service

6. Report Server Model

7. SAP Net weaver BI

8. Hyperion

9. Teradata

10. XML

What is the web service used for reporting services?

Reporting Service Web Service used in SSRS. By accessing this web service you can access all report server component and also get the report deployed on report server.

SQL Server Reporting Services (SSRS) Interview questions and answers : 2

What is the report server?

Report server is the server where we deploy the report. I.e. it’s a holding place for reports. Applications access report server to view the report.

What are the different folders on report server?

There are two folders which exist on report server.

1. Report Server: Report server contains the xml code of rdl.

2. Report : Report folder stores the actual RDL file and which can be run by clicking on it on server



What is URL Methods of rendering?

URL Method is report rendering method in which you provide the report details through URL.

URL method contains the report server details, parameter details and login details in the url itself to view the report in report viewer control.

What is report subscription?

Report subscription is to schedule the resource on particular time and to send a mailer to particular users.

You can find this functionality on report server for each report.

What is the RDL file?

RDL File stands for report definition language. It contains the report definition which located on report server.

What is the difference between RDL and RDLC formats?
RDL files are created by the SQL Server 2005 version of Report Designer. RDLC files are created by the Visual Studio 2005 version of Report Designer.


RDL and RDLC formats have the same XML schema. However, in RDLC files, some values (such as query text) are allowed to be empty, which means that they are not immediately ready to be published to a Report Server. The missing values can be entered by opening the RDLC file using the SQL Server 2005 version of Report Designer. (You have to rename .rdlc to .rdl first.)

RDL files are fully compatible with the ReportViewer control runtime. However, RDL files do not contain some information that the design-time of the ReportViewer control depends on for automatically generating data-binding code. By manually binding data, RDL files can be used in the ReportViewer control.

Note that the ReportViewer control does not contain any logic for connecting to databases or executing queries. By separating out such logic, the ReportViewer has been made compatible with all data sources, including non-database data sources. However this means that when an RDL file is used by the ReportViewer control, the SQL related information in the RDL file is simply ignored by the control. It is the host application's responsibility to connect to databases, execute queries and supply data to the ReportViewer control in the form of ADO.NET DataTables.

It contains the report layout and data source and datasets.

What are the Matrix reports and what are their uses?

Matrix reports are the reports which used to generate data dynamically i.e. table structure is not static and it can be changed at run time.

How to pass cascaded parameters in report?

Cascaded parameters are the parameters which are depended on other parameters. These parameters can be created in parameter section in upper window while creating the report.

How to implement group by in report?

Group by can be implemented by adding a group on row in table data part. Adding group will two group rows for this row on above and below of this particular row.

Below row can be used for subtotal of this group which is specified in above row. By repeating the same operation on group row can created a group on group.

SQL Server Reporting Services (SSRS) Interview questions and answers : 1

What is SQL Server Reporting Services?


SSRS is reporting tool which comes with Microsoft SQL Server. It’s a part of BI suite which SQL Server incorporates with it.

SSRS is free with Microsoft SQL Server and used to create reports for client purpose. With reporting service reports can be created in different format such as tabular, matrix.

What are the different types of possible reports?

Report can be of three types in terms of format

1. Tabular Report: In this format report will come in tabular format. Fields for which data required are in columns and data comes in the form of row. It’s a static report no change in the format is possible at run time (i.e. No of columns will remain same)

2. Matrix Report: Matrix reports are the dynamic reports and columns can be changed at run time according to the data.

3. Chart Report: In chart report chart can be used in report for graphical representation of the data. You can create dashboard using various charts and gauge.

What is the extension for report file?

Report file saves with the extension of .rdl and same file exist at report server.

What are the shared data sources in SSRS?

Shared data source is the source which can be shared across the different reports. The need of created a separate data source can be removed. Reports firing on same databases can used the same data source.

What are the different types of report?

Using BIDS reports can be created in two ways. I.e. two ways to retrieve the data from SQL Server data source.

1. TSQL Reports: TSQL Reports are made up of plain SQL Query. Data source in this case is SQL server database engine.

2. MDX Reports: MDX reports are created through cubes. For this data source is analysis services cubes.

What is the report rendering?

Report rendering is to call the report from server to application. Report rendering can be possible through different ways.

What are the different types of report rendering methods?

There two methods through which we can render the report.

1. URL Method

2. SOAP Method

Moving the Report Server Databases to Another Computer

You can move the report server databases that are used in a current installation to a SQL Server Database Engine instance that is on a different computer. Both the reportserver and reportservertempdb databases must be moved or copied together. A Reporting Services installation requires both databases; the reportservertempdb database must be related by name to the primary reportserver database you are moving.




Moving a database does not effect scheduled operations that are currently defined for report server items.



Schedules will be recreated the first time that you restart the Report Server service.



SQL Server Agent jobs that are used to trigger a schedule will be recreated on the new database instance. You do not have to move the jobs to the new computer, but you might want to delete jobs on the computer that will no longer be used.



Subscriptions, cached reports, and snapshots are preserved in the moved database. If a snapshot is not picking up refreshed data after the database is moved, clear the snapshot options in Report Manager, click Apply to save your changes, re-create the schedule, and click Apply again to save your changes.



Temporary report and user session data that is stored in reportservertempdb are persisted when you move that database.



SQL Server provides several approaches for moving databases, including backup and restore, attach and detach, and copy. Not all approaches are appropriate for relocating an existing database to a new server instance. The approach that you should use to move the report server database will vary depending on your system availability requirements. The easiest way to move the report server databases is to attach and detach them. However, this approach requires that you take the report server offline while you detach the database. Backup and restore is a better choice if you want to minimize service disruptions, but you must run Transact-SQL commands to perform the operations. Copying the database is not recommended (specifically, by using the Copy Database Wizard); it does not preserve permission settings in the database.



Important

The steps provided in this topic are recommended when relocating the report server database is the only change you are making to the existing installation. Migrating an entire Reporting Services installation (that is, moving the database and changing the identity of the Report Server Windows service that uses the database) requires connection reconfiguration and an encryption key reset. For more information about migrating a Reporting Services installation, see Migration (Reporting Services).





Detaching and Attaching the Report Server Databases

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------



If you can take the report server offline, you can detach the databases to move them to the SQL Server instance you want to use. This approach preserves permissions in the databases. If you are using a SQL Server 2008 database, you must move it to another SQL Server 2008 instance. After you move the databases, you must reconfigure the report server connection to the report server database. If you are running a scale-out deployment, you must reconfigure the report server database connection for each report server in the deployment.



Use the following steps to move the databases:



1.Backup the encryption keys for the report server database you want to move. You can use the Reporting Services Configuration tool backup the keys.



2.Stop the Report Server service. You can use the Reporting Services Configuration tool to stop the service.



3.Start SQL Server Management Studio and open a connection to the SQL Server instance that hosts the report server databases.



4.Right-click the report server database, point to Tasks, and click Detach. Repeat this step for the report server temporary database.



5.Copy or move the .mdf and .ldf files to the Data folder of the SQL Server instance you want to use. Because you are moving two databases, make sure that you move or copy all four files.



6.In Management Studio, open a connection to the new SQL Server instance that will host the report server databases.



7.Right-click the Databases node, and then click Attach.



8.Click Add to select the report server database .mdf and .ldf files that you want to attach. Repeat this step for the report server temporary database.



9.After the databases are attached, verify that the RSExecRole is a database role in the report server database and temporary database. RSExecRole must have select, insert, update, delete, and reference permissions on the report server database tables, and execute permissions on the stored procedures. For more information, see How to: Create the RSExecRole.



10.Start the Reporting Services Configuration tool and open a connection to the report server.



11.On the Database page, select the new SQL Server instance, and then click Connect.



12.Select the report server database that you just moved, and then click Apply.



13.On the Encryption Keys page, click Restore. Specify the file that contains the backup copy of the keys and the password to unlock the file.



14.Restart the Report Server service.



Backing Up and Restoring the Report Server Databases

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------



If you cannot take the report server offline, you can use backup and restore to relocate the report server databases. You should use the ‘Copy_Only’ option. Beginning in SQL Server 2008, SQL Server Management Studio supports copy-only backups. After you restore the databases, you must configure the report server to use the database on the new server instance. For more information, see the instructions at the end of this topic.



Using BACKUP and COPY_Only to Backup the Report Server Databases

When backing up the databases, set the COPY_OnlyL option and backup type to Full.



Note

Be sure to back up both the ReportServer and ReportServerTempDB databases as well as their associated log files.





For more information on using SQL Server Management Studio to backup a database, see How to: Back Up a Database (SQL Server Management Studio)



Using RESTORE and MOVE to Relocate the Report Server Databases

When restoring the databases, you can Use the RESTORE WITH NORECOVERY argument to perform the initial restore; this keeps the database in a restoring state, giving you time to review log backups to determine which one to restore. You would then repeat the RESTORE operation but use the RESTORE WITH RECOVERY argument.



Note

Be sure to restore both the ReportServer and ReportServerTempDB databases as well as their associated log files.





For more information on using SQL Server Management Studio to restore a database, see How to: Restore a Database Backup (SQL Server Management Studio)



How to Configure the Report Server Database Connection

1.Start the Reporting Services Configuration tool and open a connection to the report server.



2.On the Database page, click Change Database. Click Next.



3.Click Choose an existing report server database. Click Next.



4.Select the SQL Server that now hosts the report server database and click Test Connection. Click Next.



5.In Database Name, select the report server database that you want to use. Click Next.



6.In Credentials, specify the credentials that the report server will use to connect to the report server database. Click Next.



7.Click Next and then Finish.



Note

A Reporting Services installation requires that the SQL Server Database Engine instance include the RSExecRole role. Role creation, login registration, and role assignments occur when you set the report server database connection through the Reporting Services Configuration tool. If you use alternate approaches (specifically, if you use the rsconfig.exe command prompt utility) to configure the connection, the report server will not be in a working state. You might have to write WMI code to make the report server available. For more information, see Reporting Services WMI Provider.

Reporting Services option grayed out on installing SSRS

I had to add SQL Server Reporting Services to an existing SQL Server 2005 installation. This shouldn't be a big deal. Mount the SQL Server installation image, run the setup and follow the installation wizard to add extra components. Arriving at the step where I should be able to select Reporting Services, the Reporting Services option was grayed out.


 

After some Googling I found out that IIS needs to be installed to be able to install Reporting Services. I opened the Services snap-in and saw that the World Wide Web Publishing service already was installed, but it wasn't running... After starting the service, the Reporting Services option was no longer grayed out. The installer should have been smart enough to give a hint in my opinion, terrible user experience.




So to make a long story short, make sure IIS is installed and that the World Web Web Publishing service is running!

Reporting Services 2005 option is disabled (greyed out) when trying to install on Windows 2008

One of the requirements for Dynamics CRM is installing SQL Server Reporting Services. If you are going to use Reporting Services 2005 on top of Windows Server 2008, when running SQL Server Setup you could face with an annoying problem: Reporting Services option is disabled, greyed out and hence cannot be installed.




After some research, I came up with this kb article which describes exactly the services that must be all installed on Windows 2008 before running SQL Server setup. They correspond to Web Server Role.



It is important to note that ALL the services that says the KB article must be installed. For instance, I left Http Redirection service out and then Reporting Services option was greyed out. Only after I installed all services, Reporting Services 2005 were able to be selected for installing.



Here I am pasting a transcription from the KB article that explains the process and the services to install prior to running SQL Server Reporting Services 2005 installation:





1.Log on to Windows Server 2008.

2.Configure a server role and enable ASP.NET and IIS. To do this, follow these steps:

•Click Start, and then click Server Manager.

•In Server Manager, right-click Manage Roles, and then click Add roles. The Add Roles Wizard starts.

•In the Add Roles Wizard, click Select Server Roles.

•On the Select Server Roles page, click to select the Web Server (IIS) check box, and then click Next.



Note Because of role dependency, the File Server check box is automatically selected when you click to select the Web Server (IIS) check box.

•On the Role Services page, expand Common HTTP Features, and then click to select the following check boxes:

■Static Content

■Default Document

■Directory Browsing

■HTTP Errors

■HTTP Redirection

•Expand Application Development, and then click to select the ASP.NET check box.



Note If you are prompted to add required role services, click OK.

•Expand Security, and then click to select the Windows Authentication check box.

•Expand Management Tools, expand IIS 6 Management Capability, and then click to select the following check boxes:

■IIS Metabase Compatibility

■IIS 6 WMI Compatibility

■IIS 6 Scripting Tools

■IIS 6 Management Console

•Click Next, and then click Install.

Note If you do not enable all these features, the Reporting Services option does not appear in the Feature Selection dialog box of the SQL Server Setup program.

3.Verify that the World Wide Web Publishing service is started. If the World Wide Web Publishing service is not started, configure the service to start automatically. To do this, follow these steps:

•In Control Panel, click System and Maintenance.

•Click Administrative Tools.

•Double-click Services.

•In the User Account Control dialog box, click Continue.

•Right-click World Wide Web Publishing Service, and then click Properties.

•In the World Wide Web Publishing Service Properties dialog box, select Automatic in the Startup type list.

•Click Apply, click Start, and then click OK

Bear in mind also that you must start the World Wide Web Publishing service if you want to install the default configuration of Reporting Services. Otherwise, the SQL Server Setup program only installs Reporting Services and does not configure Reporting Services.





Hope it helps and saves some time to somebody else

SSRS 2008 tutorial

http://www.accelebrate.com/sql_training/ssrs_2008_tutorial.htm

To create subreport as drilldown

To create a subreport as drilldown type to a particular cell data.

1. After creating the main report.
2. Right click on any datacell and choose "Insert Row/Below".
3. Select all the data cells of the newly created row, right click and click "Merge cells"
4. In the sub report tablix properties :
    provide "Name", select "Report Name",  "Hidden : True", "Toggle item : "

Now check the preview. The below image is an example.

To add embedded code to a report

1. In Design view, right-click the design surface outside the border of the report and click Report Properties.

2. Click Code.


3. In Custom code, type the code. Errors in the code produce warnings when the report runs. The following example creates a custom function named ChangeWord that replaces the word "Bike" with "Bicycle".
 
Public Function ChangeWord(ByVal s As String) As String



Dim strBuilder As New System.Text.StringBuilder(s)


If s.Contains("Bike") Then


strBuilder.Replace("Bike", "Bicycle")


Return strBuilder.ToString()


Else : Return s


End If


End Function
 
The following example shows how to pass a dataset field named Category to this function in an expression:

=Code.ChangeWord(Fields!Category.Value)

If you add this expression to a table cell that displays category values, whenever the word "Bike" is in the dataset field for that row, the table cell value displays the word "Bicycle" instead.

Sql Server Reporting services 2008 Tablix control

When working with Sql server 2008 reporting services I found a new control named Tablix. [Of course there are plenty of new features] This is a mix of both Table and a Matrix. The main and great advantage of it is when we drag a table or matrix to the report body you can't find table or matrix any more. The report control automatically convert it to Tablix. Now, it's very easy to show the complex and grouping of data with this control.


The interest thing in 2008 reporting services is, When I open report builder 2008, BIDS 2008 I didn't find the Tablix control at all and started researching for the control. Stupidly searched in google like download tablix control ssrs 2008 etc… But, once I drap and drop the table or matrix and right clicked for properties found "tablix properties" in list of properties there. Then understood the whole concept and implemented the reports very fast.

Data Formatting in sql server reporting services

In Sql server reporting services the formatting the data is pretty much simple as we have plenty of built in options available for percentage, numbers, decimal, currency etc. So, just them to data format and display the data as you want. Below are most commonly use format for the usual reports.




c – Currency
d – Decimal
n – Number
p – Percentage.

If you want two decimal places in decimal number then in the format option [Text box properties -> format] then the format should be d2. In percentage if you want two decimal places in percentage then the format is p2 etc.. But, I have tried it some reports, and found not working. Then used the default C# string formats for the data formatting in reports. That is, for two decimal places the format is like 0.00. Then the result data will be two decimal places. Example, 5.67. So, you can try both and use which one is best fit for you.

There are other plenty of formats available and they are completely described here.
http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms252080%28VS.80%29.aspx

Expand Collapse columns in a table SSRS

1. Select all the columns that you want to make expandable, collapsible.


2. Hit F4 [Properties window] –> Select Visibility, and in that, set these values, Hidden = true and ToggleItem = ID of the textbox [Where you want to show the Expand[+], Collpse[-] symbols that text box id. in other words parent text box id.]

How to set report path and server url

reportViewer1.ServerReport.ReportServerUrl = new Uri("http://localhost/reportserver");


reportViewer1.ServerReport.ReportPath = "/WH/WHRep";

ReportParameter rp = new ReportParameter("SchYears", "93");

reportViewer1.ServerReport.SetParameters(new ReportParameter[] { rp });

reportViewer1.DocumentMapCollapsed = true;

reportViewer1.PromptAreaCollapsed = true;

To pass parameters to report from reportviewer in asp.net

if(!Page.IsPostBack)


ReportViewer1.ServerReport.SetParameters(new Microsoft.Reporting.WebForms.ReportParameter("ParamName","ParamValue"));

How To Determine if Reporting Services was Installed

If reporting services was installed, then there are two databases installed along with it. Just look for those databases:


select * from sys.databases where name like 'ReportServer%'

SSRS Version

To determine the version of Reporting Services, go to your report server (http://server_name/reportserver). At the bottom of the page, you should see "Microsoft SQL Server Reporting Services Version" with the version number following it.



You can match your version number to which service pack here: http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx/kb/321185
I you want to do this programmatically, take a look at the ServerInfoHeader class. When you make a request to the report server SOAP API you'll be able to get detailed information. The link below is for the 2005 Execution endpoint, there's a similar structure for the Management endpoint.


http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/microsoft.wssux.reportingserviceswebservice.rsexecutionservice2005.serverinfoheader(sql.90).aspx