SQL Reporting Services FAQ
What is SQL Reporting Services?
Reporting Services is a server-based reporting
platform that you can use to create and manage tabular, matrix, graphical, and free-form
reports that contain data from relational and multidimensional data sources. The reports
that you create can be viewed and managed over a Web-based connection and using SQL Server Management Studio.
(Reporting Services
Books Online) An integrated part of the Microsoft business intelligence framework, Reporting
Services combines the data management capabilities of SQL Server and Microsoft Windows Server™
with familiar and powerful Microsoft Office System applications to deliver real-time information
to support daily operations and drive decisions.
http://www.microsoft.com/sql/technologies/reporting/overview.mspx
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How can I get more information on SQL Reporting Services?
There are many resources available for SQL Reporting Services, but SQL Reporting Services
Books Online is a great resource that will provide a lot of useful information. It can be viewed at
http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms159106.aspx or downloaded at
http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms166018.aspx.
Another great resource is the SQL Reporting Services website, which can be found at
http://www.microsoft.com/sql/technologies/reporting/default.mspx.
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What databases/data-sources can be used for SQL Reporting Services?
Almost any database/data-source can be used with SQL Reporting Services, including SQL Server 2000 and 2005.
Data-source options include OLE DB, XML for Analysis, and Web Services. Reporting Services
can use multiple data sources for a single report and can even use reports as sources for other
reports. Currently, we offer drivers for Microsoft data sources such as SQL Server or Access as
well as common "text" formats like XML, CSV or tab delimited files. Simply add the correct
connection string to the data-source.
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Is there an additional fee for using the SQL Reporting Services product?
There is no additional fee for using SQL Reporting Services. It is available to all clients of ORCS Web, Inc.
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What tools can I use to manage SQL Server Reporting Services 2005?
Report Manager
is a web based tool provided for you when we set up a new account for you. It is
a Web-based tool to set permissions, manage subscriptions and schedules, and work
with reports and models. You can also use Report Manager to view reports.
Another option is to use Business Intelligence Development Studio with
Report Designer and
Model Designer. Report Designer and Model Designer are two design tools
that are available within Business Intelligence Development Studio. The design surfaces
in the tools include tabbed windows, wizards, and menus used to access report and
model authoring features. The design tools become available when you choose a Report
Server Project, a Report Server Wizard, or a Report Model Project template.
Management Studio can be used for administration of your reports. Management Studio
provides almost identical functionality as Report Manager, but with additional support
for managing other server types in the same management workspace.
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How do I create a report?
There are 3 common ways of creating a report for use by SQL Reporting Services.
For more information on creating reports please go to
http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms170246.aspx.
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How do I publish or deploy my report?
There are 3 methods to publishing or deploying your report. They are:
- The Report Manager Web interface. You can upload your report file (.rdl) and data source file (.rds) to your report folder. To do so, browse to
https://ssrs2k5.orcsweb.com and login with your username and password. Click the ‘My Reports’ link to access your report
folder and then click ‘Upload File’. Browse to your file, give it a name (you may select to ‘overwrite item if it exists’)
and click ‘OK’.
- SQL Server 2005
Business Intelligence Development Studio. Before you deploy your report, you’ll need to set the project properties so that it will point to
https://ssrs2k5.orcsweb.com/reportserver. This can be done in
'Solution Explorer' within SQL Server 2005 Business Intelligence Development Studio. Right-click the report name and select 'Properties'. Set
the 'TargetServerURL' to https://ssrs2k5.orcsweb.com/reportserver
and set the 'TargetFolder' to
'/My Reports/TargetFolderOfChoice'. Then, you simply right-click your report project and select
'Deploy' from the menu. After the report project is compiled, you will be prompted to provide
authentication information for the Report Server. When deploying a model, you may need to include the server
name\user name to successfully deploy the model. Use “VM2-1-SSRS2k5\YourUsername”
in the user account field. Once your report has been successfully uploaded to
the Report Server you will be able to browse to the Report Server or Report Manager to view and manage
your report/model.
- SQL Server Management Studio. Reports can be imported into Reporting Services by
right-clicking the “My Reports” folder (or any sub-folder of My Reports) and then
select “Import File…” You will then see a dialog box that will allow you to navigate
to the .rdl report file and then click OK to complete the import.
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How do I get a copy of
SQL Server 2005 Business Intelligence Development Studio?
SQL Server 2005 Business Intelligence Development Studio can be obtained by downloading
SQL Server 2005 Express
Edition with Advanced Services SP2 or by using your licensed copy of SQL
Server 2005. Information on obtaining SQL Server 2005 can be found at
http://www.microsoft.com/sql/howtobuy/default.mspx.
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How do I allow people to view my reports via my website? Do you have a sample HTML
link I can use to reference my reports?
- The Report Server is accessible through URL requests. URL requests contain parameters that are
processed by the Report Server. The way in which the report server handles URL requests depends on
the parameters, parameter prefixes, and type of item that are included in the URL. For more information
about specific parameter prefixes, see SQL Reporting Services Books Online.
- You can use URL access to embed hyperlinks to reports and other Report Server items in the
applications that you develop. Report Server URLs adhere to the URL formatting guidelines as
proposed by the joint World Wide Web Consortium W3C/IETF draft standard. URL access is compatible
with most Internet browsers or applications that support standard URL addressing.
- Here is sample code HTML code that will create a link called 'My Report' that will access the
report server when clicked:
<A href="https://ssrs2k5.orcsweb.com/ReportServer?/My
Reports/foldername/ReportName&rs:Command=Render">My Report</A>
For more information on URL access to reports visit
SQL Reporting Services Books Online.
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How do I reference SQL Reporting Services in my own web application?
- The SQL Reporting Services product available with your account offers web service that allows
you to create, run, and view reports programmatically. The Reporting Services web server will allow
you to render a report that is deployed on a report server to a supported file format, such as the
.pdf file format and open the rendered report on a Web page without saving the file that corresponds
to the rendered report on your computer. This article will provide step-by-step instructions on how
to make use of the Reporting Services Web Service, http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=875447.
- To consume the web service, simply reference the service at
https://ssrs.orcsweb.com/reportserver/reportservice.asmx
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For more information about consuming and implementing the SQL Reporting Services web service, consult the
SQL Reporting Services Books Online.
- Once you've added a reference to the Web Service within your application, the command below will pass your login
credentials to the Report Server and will not prompt website visitors for a username and password:
rs.Credentials = New System.Net.NetworkCredential (username, password)
- For more information on SQL Reporting Services Web Service refer to:
• http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/default.asp
• SQL Reporting Services Books Online
• A step-by-step article on referencing SQL Reporting Services Web Service, http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=875447
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I am a dedicated customer and I want to use SQL Reporting Services, but I do
not want to install SQL Server Reporting Services on my dedicated server.
As long as you are a current ORCS Web hosting client, you can use our shared SQL Reporting Services at no additional cost.
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How do I connect to Reporting Services using SQL Server Management Studio?
Be sure to choose you have the following information entered into the “Connect to
Server” dialog box when attempting to connect to Reporting Services.
Server type: Reporting Services”
Server name: https://ssrs2k5.orcsweb.com/reportserver
Authentication: Basic Authentication
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What do I need to do to sign up for SQL Reporting Services?
Contact
webteam@orcsweb.com and request a SSRS account today!
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