Q: Is SSRS support other database except MS SQL Server?

Yes. SSRS can be building based on relational or multidimensional data source like Oracle,
OLEDB. ODBC etc

Q. What is Tabular Report in SSRS?

Tabular report is the simplest of the SSRS Report. It lets you just simply display the data using
table.

Q: What is a Matrix in SSRS?

A matrix is a data region linked to a report set. Matrix allows us to create crosstab reports with the
report variables displaying on rows and columns. It allows us to drag and drop fields into it.

Q: What is Query parameter in SSRS?

Query parameter is mentioned in the query of the data-source that is to be included in the SQL
scripts WHERE clause of the SQL that can accept parameters. Query parameters begin with the
symbol @.The name should not contain spaces and can not begin with numeral. For clarity, we use
only letters.

Q: What are Sub Reports and how to create them?

A sub report is like any other 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.

Q: 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.

Q. What is RowNumber function?

RowNumber returns a sequential number to every row within the specified scope.

Q: How to add the custom code in Report?

To add the custom codes in report go to report tab on top then properties and there you will find the
options for custom code.

Q: In case you have filters in your report, when filters will be applied in Cached Report
instance?
Filters are applied when a report is rendered, Filters will not create a new cached instance on the
Report Server.

Q: What are data regions?

Data regions are report items that display repeated rows of summarized information from data-sets.

Q: 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.

Q: Can we use data-grids for our report in SSRS?

We have an ASP.NET project that populates a data-grid. Using data-grid as my data-source for my
report using SQL Server Reporting Services. Is this possible? The simple answer is no. However,
nothing's ever simple. A set of reporting controls was added in Visual Studio 2010 allowing you to
report in a data-set, on data that was supplied by you. So, if you retrieved your data into a data-set,
bound the data-grid to the data-set so it had data to display, you could then use that data-set as the
data-source for the reporting controls. These are then client-side reports, not server reports though.

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.

What is SSRS
SQL Server 2005 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.

Advantages of SSRS
The beauty is that the entire report and data source definition is stored
as a simple XML file. This is the file the reporting engine uses to render
reports. The elements and attributes required for defining a report
format are fully documented.

Software Requirements
Microsoft Visual Studio .NET 2003 (any edition) or the standard edition
of Visual Basic .NET, Visual C# .NET, Visual C++ .NET Standard, or Visual
J# .NET to use Report Designer. Report Designer can be installed on the
same computer as Report Server components or on a separate
computer.

Architecture
SSRS is a comprehensive and extensible reporting platform, which
includes an integrated set of processing components, programmatic
interfaces, and tools. Processing components are the basis for the
multilayered architecture of SSRS and interact with each other to
retrieve data, process layout, render, and deliver a report to a target
destination.

Creating a SSRS Project

To create a report in Reporting Services, you must first create a report
server project in SQL Server Business Intelligence Development Studio
where you will save your report definition (.rdl) file and any other
resource files that you need for your report.

Adding Data source

Before we start the report, we are going to build a shared data source
i.e. a data source that is common to, and can be used by, all of the
reports on a reporting server. While each report can contain its own
connection information, it is good practice to use shared data sources,
as it will save you a lot time and headaches.

Creating Report
A new report will be added to the project, and the Report Designer will
open at the Data tab. At this point, let's take a closer look at the Report
Designer tool. At the top of the Report Designer window are three tabs:
Data, Layout and Preview.

Developing Report
Next, switch to the Layout tab. This is where you actually build the
report display. Start by dragging a table from the Toolbox, onto the Body
section of the report. By default, the table shows a header row at the
top, a detail row in the middle and a footer row at the bottom.

Report Items (Toolbox)

The Textbox item can be used to display data from a data source,
calculations or expressions, or static data, much like a label control in a
Windows forms project. When you drag fields from the Fields list onto
the Report Designer, bound Textbox items are created.

Grouping
In a data region, you can group data by a single field, or create more
complex expressions that identify the data on which to group. Complex
expressions include references to multiple fields or parameters,
conditional statements, or custom code.

Interactive Sorting
It is incredibly easy to add sorting to the table. Open any report which
contains the table. Navigate to the Layout tab of the report designer.
Click in the cell labeled First Name in the header of the table. Right-click
and select Properties. Switch to the Interactive Sort tab.

Formatting Text
IIF Function
The IIF() statement has the following format: =IIF( Expression to
evaluate, what-to-do when the expression is true, what-to-do when the
expression is false )

Built-in Functions
In Reporting Services, expressions are used to provide dynamic
flexibility for controlling the content and appearance of a report. Some
expressions are created for you automatically.

Custom Functions
There are about 100 common functions in SSRS 2005, and they can
handle most of what you will need to do. Occasionally, however, you will
still need to set an expression with more control than the common
functions can manage. So, to make SSRS even more flexible, you can
write custom VB.NET or C# functions and use them in expressions.

Sub Reports
A subreport is a report that is embedded into another report. Subreports
can take parameters and execute their own datasets. A subreport in
SSRS is actually just another. In fact, in SSRS you can execute a
subreport on its own.

Navigating in same report(Book Marking)

Abookmark is a text box or image in a report that can be used as a
navigational link. If you want to allow the user to click an item and
navigate to another item, assign a bookmark value to each of the target
items.

Jump to Report
This powerful feature enables a text box or image to be used as a link to
another report by passing parameter values to the target report.

Jump to URL
The Jump to URL option can be used to navigate to practically any
report or document content on your report server, and files, folders, and
applications in your intranet environment or on the World Wide Web.

Totals & Sub-totals

Report Header & Footer
How to add a page footer that displays the user name for the report and
page numbers.

Global Variables
Let's go to the expression editor. Click on Globals in the first column of
the expression editor. In the second column, you will see the list of the
global variables that are provided to the report.

Bookmarking in reports
Add bookmarks and bookmark links to a report when you want to
provide a customized table of contents or to provide customized internal
navigation links in the report.

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.

How to set Default Values and Available Values for Report Parameters in SSRS
In SSRS, parameters are used to specify the data to use in a report,
narrow down your report data for better analysis, connect related
reports together, and vary report presentation.

Adding Images to a SSRS Report (Embedded & Database)

An image is a report item that contains a reference to an image that is
stored on the report server, embedded within the report, or stored in a
database.

Drill Down
By setting the Toggle Item property to State, when the report is run a
little + sign appears next to it when the report is run and it works like a
tree view.

Matrix report in SSRS

Matrix Reports are a special report similar to a pivot table. Matrix
reports are not uncommon, and are useful for measuring trends.

Listbox & Rectangle

Arectangle is simply used to visually separate a region of the report. A
list data region is a data-bound report item that contains a single
column of multi-instance data on a report.

Cascading Parameters
Deploying Reports
You can run your reports in the Visual Studio 2005 environment but, to
make them useful, you must publish them to a report server. The easiest
way to do this is to have Visual Studio publish your reports.

ReportViewer Control in Visual Studio

ReportViewer is a freely redistributable control that enables embedding
reports in applications developed using the .NET Framework. Reports
are designed with drag-and-drop simplicity using Report Designer
included in Visual Studio

Local & Server Reports

To Load a server Report in web page directly is not possible. By taking a
ReportViewer control we can show the Report in web page. The
ReportViewer control is available in ToolBox under Data Controls Tab.

Integrating reports with Web

How to Configure a Report Server for Local Administration on windows7, Windows
Vista and Windows Server 2008
This article explains how to configure the report server for local
administration after setup is finished and the report server components
are configured.

SSRS Common Functions Text

List of Text Functions available in Common Functions to write
expressions in Reporting Services.

SSRS Common Functions Date Time

List of Date Time Functions available in Common Functions to write
expressions in Reporting Services.

Types of Reports in SSRS

With Reporting Services, you can create the following types of reports:
Parameterized reports, Linked reports, Snapshot reports, Cached
reports, Ad hoc reports, Clickthrough reports, Drilldown reports,
Drillthrough reports, Subreports.

Generating PDF using SSRS Reports programmatically

ReportViewer is a good tool to generate report file on fly in pdf / excel
format in asp.net web application.

Question.1 What is Query parameter in SSRS?

Answer: Query parameters is mentioned in the query of the datasources that are to be included
into the SQL scripts WHERE clause of the SQL that can accept parameters. Query parameters
begin with the symbol @.The name should not contain spaces and can not begin with numeral. For
clarity, we use only letters.
Question.2 What are the Reporting Service Components in SSRS?
Answer: Report Designer: A place where we can create report. Report Server: Provides services
for implementation and delivery of reports. Report Manager: A Web-based administration tool for
managing the Report Server.
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Question.3 What is a matrix in SSRS?
Answer: A matrix is a data region linked to a report set. Matrix allows us to create crosstab reports
with the report variables displaying on rows and columns. It allows us to drag and drop fields into
it.
Question.4 What are sub reports and how to create them?
Answer: A sub report is like any other 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.
Question.5 What is the report model project?
Answer: 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
Question.6 What is report server project?
Answer: 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.
Question. 7 What is the report builder?
Answer: Report builder is used to create small reports and it a define interface. You cant change
the report interface in report builder it pre designed. You can just drag columns in the report. Report
builder creates reports on database objects available with report model project.
Question.8 In which SQL Server version report builder introduced?
Answer: 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 22 is installed or not.
Question.9 How to deploy the Report?
Answer: 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.
Question.10 What is RS.exe utility?
Answer: Rs.exe utility is used for deploying the report on report server. It comes with the report
server and can be customize accordingly.
Question.11 What is the name of reporting services config file and whats its used for?
Answer: 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.
Question.12 What are the three different part of RDL file explain them?
Answer: 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.
Question. 13 Which language rdl files made of?
Answer: RDL files are written in XML.
Question.14 What is the chart in report?
Answer: 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.
Question.15 What is Data Set in report?
Answer: 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.
Question.16 What are the different types of data sources in SSRS?
Answer: 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
Question. 17 What is the web service used for reporting services?
Answer: 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.
Question.18 How to add the custom code in Report?
Answer: To add the custom codes in report go to report tab on top then properties and there you
will find the options for custom code.
Question. 19 What is a cache in SSRS?
Answer: Report server can lay up a copy of processed report in a memory and return the copy
when a user opens the report. This server memory is known as cache and the process is called
caching.