Comparing Reporting Programs

I am developing an ASP.Net 2.0 application that will make heavy use of reports. The VisualStudio.Net 2005 Professional edition contains two reporting programs -- Crystal Reports and SQL Server 2005 Reporting Services. Can anyone refer me to a white paper, technical article, book chapter, blog, etc. that compares the strengths and weaknesses of these two programs? Thanks for any suggestions.

Ken McLean

In my opinion SSRS, though far from perfect beats Crystal Reports. I will look up some references for you.

|||

Have a look at:

SQL Server Reporting Services 2005 XML extensions http://www.codeproject.com/KB/reporting-services/SSRS2005XML.aspx|||

Thanks a lot. That's exactly what I was looking for.

Ken McLean

Comparing individual performance to overall average

Hello. I'll begin by stating that I've only been using BusinessObjects Crystal Reports XI for a short amount of time--somewhere around two months. This problem is rather frustrating as I'm sure there must be a more direct means of solving it (i.e. avoiding subreports and hackish workarounds of printtime formula evaluations, etc...)

Briefing: I am connecting to a simple single-element Business View (on top of MS SQL Server). Each record in the view is a trouble ticket handled by my group at work. Using simple date arithmetic, I am able to determine how long it takes for each trouble ticket to go from an open state to a closed state. Naturally, it is crucial to know how quickly these tickets are being resolved.

All is simple, so far. The objective behind the report in question is to analyze how long, on average, one client's tickets take to close against the average for all clients--grouped by fiscal quarter. The company/companies to compare against the overall average are determined by a parameter.

To restate: I have one level of grouping for fiscal Quarter, beginning with 2005 Q1. Under this I need to group by Company, and this needs to be based on the aforementioned string array parameter. The trick is that I also need to preserve the data for all clients while simultaneously isolating the selected customers. The data will be used to make a multi-bar graph.

So...how do I go about grouping and sorting and selecting and whatnot as to achieve my desired effect? As I alluded to above, I feel that there is a convoluted way to approach this problem, and Im looking for some wise soul to inject some wisdom.

Any and all help would be much appreciated.EDIT:

I've solved the problem. If anyone would like to know how, simply ask.sqlsql

Company footer message on all reports

I've looked around, but can't find this anywhere. Does anyone know of a way to add a footer to all reports (including new ones being created via report builder)? So that when users create new reports, the global footer is there.

Maybe create a "Company Footer" as a subreport?

Granted you will still have to insert the subreport into each of your report footers, but any changes needing to be made to the footer will only need to be done once.

|||That is an option, but we want all users to be forced to use this.
|||

The best bet would be to create a report template and then have all report developers use the template.

To create a report template:

create a report with all the common elements, store the .rdl file in the Report Designer template directory (in a default installation this would be C:\Program Files\Microsoft Visual Studio 8\Common7\IDE\PrivateAssemblies\ProjectItems\ReportProject|||This is an excellent suggestion, and one we will probably use for developers. However, the main area we want to catch is the Report Builder reports. Here we can't possibly train all the users to include a subreport, or something similar. What we need is a way to alter the predefined Report Builder template, to add a company footer. Any ideas?

compability of visual studio express vs visual studio

Can anyone tell me if Visual Studio Express and Visual Studio Report Designer
are compatible when designing reports? We tried to import .RDL files between
the two and were unsuccessful.
Our intent is to give our user something like Visual Studio Express to
develop reports , but yet be flexiable enough to maintain them or enhance
them using the full Visual Studio version. Or, take a report done in the full
version and allow he user to modify it in the Visual Studio Express version.
I highly doubt this is possible but I need some outside opinions on this.
Thanks for your time,
Dave SundellNone of this is necessary if you are using RS 2005. It comes with its own
version of VS. It will integrate with it if you have it, otherwise it will
install its own. If you are not writing your own assemblies then no need for
buying VS. This is a change from RS 2000.
Bruce Loehle-Conger
MVP SQL Server Reporting Services
"Dave Sundell" <DaveSundell@.discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:8A6273A3-DFB6-4F5A-B197-26F5755485C4@.microsoft.com...
> Can anyone tell me if Visual Studio Express and Visual Studio Report
> Designer
> are compatible when designing reports? We tried to import .RDL files
> between
> the two and were unsuccessful.
> Our intent is to give our user something like Visual Studio Express to
> develop reports , but yet be flexiable enough to maintain them or enhance
> them using the full Visual Studio version. Or, take a report done in the
> full
> version and allow he user to modify it in the Visual Studio Express
> version.
> I highly doubt this is possible but I need some outside opinions on this.
> Thanks for your time,
> Dave Sundell|||Are you talking about Report Builder in RS 2005?
I need users to beable to modify reports that were designed/developed using
Report Designer. And visa versa, beable to modify reports that were done with
Vistual Studio Express and edit them in full Visual Stduio.
I suppose we can buy them a full version of Visual Studio but some asked me
to look into Visual Studio Express. I am installing it now in a Virtual PC
mode as to not mess my normal Visual Studio environment.
Back to Report Builder. I am sorry but it is not the same as Report Designer
and we have had user experienced in Crystal reports and we need to give them
something a little closer, like Report Designer. But we were pointed towards
Visual Studio Express as a solution.
"Bruce L-C [MVP]" wrote:
> None of this is necessary if you are using RS 2005. It comes with its own
> version of VS. It will integrate with it if you have it, otherwise it will
> install its own. If you are not writing your own assemblies then no need for
> buying VS. This is a change from RS 2000.
>
> --
> Bruce Loehle-Conger
> MVP SQL Server Reporting Services
> "Dave Sundell" <DaveSundell@.discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
> news:8A6273A3-DFB6-4F5A-B197-26F5755485C4@.microsoft.com...
> > Can anyone tell me if Visual Studio Express and Visual Studio Report
> > Designer
> > are compatible when designing reports? We tried to import .RDL files
> > between
> > the two and were unsuccessful.
> >
> > Our intent is to give our user something like Visual Studio Express to
> > develop reports , but yet be flexiable enough to maintain them or enhance
> > them using the full Visual Studio version. Or, take a report done in the
> > full
> > version and allow he user to modify it in the Visual Studio Express
> > version.
> >
> > I highly doubt this is possible but I need some outside opinions on this.
> >
> > Thanks for your time,
> >
> > Dave Sundell
>
>|||No, I am talking about Report Designer not Report Builder. RS 2005 when it
installed BI (or whatever it calls it, when you install Report Designer) it
will integrate with VS 2005 if you have it, otherwise it installs a special
version just for RS 2005 Report Designer.
This was not the case with RS 2000 report designer. For that you first had
to have VS 2003. Again, that is not the case for RS 2005 report designer.
Bruce Loehle-Conger
MVP SQL Server Reporting Services
"Dave Sundell" <DaveSundell@.discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:4252933C-EE43-4031-A81E-212B29174391@.microsoft.com...
> Are you talking about Report Builder in RS 2005?
> I need users to beable to modify reports that were designed/developed
> using
> Report Designer. And visa versa, beable to modify reports that were done
> with
> Vistual Studio Express and edit them in full Visual Stduio.
> I suppose we can buy them a full version of Visual Studio but some asked
> me
> to look into Visual Studio Express. I am installing it now in a Virtual PC
> mode as to not mess my normal Visual Studio environment.
> Back to Report Builder. I am sorry but it is not the same as Report
> Designer
> and we have had user experienced in Crystal reports and we need to give
> them
> something a little closer, like Report Designer. But we were pointed
> towards
> Visual Studio Express as a solution.
>
> "Bruce L-C [MVP]" wrote:
>> None of this is necessary if you are using RS 2005. It comes with its own
>> version of VS. It will integrate with it if you have it, otherwise it
>> will
>> install its own. If you are not writing your own assemblies then no need
>> for
>> buying VS. This is a change from RS 2000.
>>
>> --
>> Bruce Loehle-Conger
>> MVP SQL Server Reporting Services
>> "Dave Sundell" <DaveSundell@.discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
>> news:8A6273A3-DFB6-4F5A-B197-26F5755485C4@.microsoft.com...
>> > Can anyone tell me if Visual Studio Express and Visual Studio Report
>> > Designer
>> > are compatible when designing reports? We tried to import .RDL files
>> > between
>> > the two and were unsuccessful.
>> >
>> > Our intent is to give our user something like Visual Studio Express to
>> > develop reports , but yet be flexiable enough to maintain them or
>> > enhance
>> > them using the full Visual Studio version. Or, take a report done in
>> > the
>> > full
>> > version and allow he user to modify it in the Visual Studio Express
>> > version.
>> >
>> > I highly doubt this is possible but I need some outside opinions on
>> > this.
>> >
>> > Thanks for your time,
>> >
>> > Dave Sundell
>>|||Ist it free to anyone or if do you need a license. Is it a download or can
we allow any person to install from a SQL Server 2005 cd?
By the way, thanks for your response/time.
dave
"Bruce L-C [MVP]" wrote:
> No, I am talking about Report Designer not Report Builder. RS 2005 when it
> installed BI (or whatever it calls it, when you install Report Designer) it
> will integrate with VS 2005 if you have it, otherwise it installs a special
> version just for RS 2005 Report Designer.
> This was not the case with RS 2000 report designer. For that you first had
> to have VS 2003. Again, that is not the case for RS 2005 report designer.
>
> --
> Bruce Loehle-Conger
> MVP SQL Server Reporting Services
> "Dave Sundell" <DaveSundell@.discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
> news:4252933C-EE43-4031-A81E-212B29174391@.microsoft.com...
> > Are you talking about Report Builder in RS 2005?
> >
> > I need users to beable to modify reports that were designed/developed
> > using
> > Report Designer. And visa versa, beable to modify reports that were done
> > with
> > Vistual Studio Express and edit them in full Visual Stduio.
> >
> > I suppose we can buy them a full version of Visual Studio but some asked
> > me
> > to look into Visual Studio Express. I am installing it now in a Virtual PC
> > mode as to not mess my normal Visual Studio environment.
> >
> > Back to Report Builder. I am sorry but it is not the same as Report
> > Designer
> > and we have had user experienced in Crystal reports and we need to give
> > them
> > something a little closer, like Report Designer. But we were pointed
> > towards
> > Visual Studio Express as a solution.
> >
> >
> > "Bruce L-C [MVP]" wrote:
> >
> >> None of this is necessary if you are using RS 2005. It comes with its own
> >> version of VS. It will integrate with it if you have it, otherwise it
> >> will
> >> install its own. If you are not writing your own assemblies then no need
> >> for
> >> buying VS. This is a change from RS 2000.
> >>
> >>
> >> --
> >> Bruce Loehle-Conger
> >> MVP SQL Server Reporting Services
> >>
> >> "Dave Sundell" <DaveSundell@.discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
> >> news:8A6273A3-DFB6-4F5A-B197-26F5755485C4@.microsoft.com...
> >> > Can anyone tell me if Visual Studio Express and Visual Studio Report
> >> > Designer
> >> > are compatible when designing reports? We tried to import .RDL files
> >> > between
> >> > the two and were unsuccessful.
> >> >
> >> > Our intent is to give our user something like Visual Studio Express to
> >> > develop reports , but yet be flexiable enough to maintain them or
> >> > enhance
> >> > them using the full Visual Studio version. Or, take a report done in
> >> > the
> >> > full
> >> > version and allow he user to modify it in the Visual Studio Express
> >> > version.
> >> >
> >> > I highly doubt this is possible but I need some outside opinions on
> >> > this.
> >> >
> >> > Thanks for your time,
> >> >
> >> > Dave Sundell
> >>
> >>
> >>
>
>|||It is free. RS 2005 is licensed by the server. There is no cost/licensing
for the report designer. Just use the SQL 2005 CD and install Report
Designer.
Bruce Loehle-Conger
MVP SQL Server Reporting Services
"Dave Sundell" <DaveSundell@.discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:D3462064-E935-48E1-8AE4-A57492F17FE7@.microsoft.com...
> Ist it free to anyone or if do you need a license. Is it a download or
> can
> we allow any person to install from a SQL Server 2005 cd?
> By the way, thanks for your response/time.
> dave
> "Bruce L-C [MVP]" wrote:
>> No, I am talking about Report Designer not Report Builder. RS 2005 when
>> it
>> installed BI (or whatever it calls it, when you install Report Designer)
>> it
>> will integrate with VS 2005 if you have it, otherwise it installs a
>> special
>> version just for RS 2005 Report Designer.
>> This was not the case with RS 2000 report designer. For that you first
>> had
>> to have VS 2003. Again, that is not the case for RS 2005 report designer.
>>
>> --
>> Bruce Loehle-Conger
>> MVP SQL Server Reporting Services
>> "Dave Sundell" <DaveSundell@.discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
>> news:4252933C-EE43-4031-A81E-212B29174391@.microsoft.com...
>> > Are you talking about Report Builder in RS 2005?
>> >
>> > I need users to beable to modify reports that were designed/developed
>> > using
>> > Report Designer. And visa versa, beable to modify reports that were
>> > done
>> > with
>> > Vistual Studio Express and edit them in full Visual Stduio.
>> >
>> > I suppose we can buy them a full version of Visual Studio but some
>> > asked
>> > me
>> > to look into Visual Studio Express. I am installing it now in a Virtual
>> > PC
>> > mode as to not mess my normal Visual Studio environment.
>> >
>> > Back to Report Builder. I am sorry but it is not the same as Report
>> > Designer
>> > and we have had user experienced in Crystal reports and we need to give
>> > them
>> > something a little closer, like Report Designer. But we were pointed
>> > towards
>> > Visual Studio Express as a solution.
>> >
>> >
>> > "Bruce L-C [MVP]" wrote:
>> >
>> >> None of this is necessary if you are using RS 2005. It comes with its
>> >> own
>> >> version of VS. It will integrate with it if you have it, otherwise it
>> >> will
>> >> install its own. If you are not writing your own assemblies then no
>> >> need
>> >> for
>> >> buying VS. This is a change from RS 2000.
>> >>
>> >>
>> >> --
>> >> Bruce Loehle-Conger
>> >> MVP SQL Server Reporting Services
>> >>
>> >> "Dave Sundell" <DaveSundell@.discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in
>> >> message
>> >> news:8A6273A3-DFB6-4F5A-B197-26F5755485C4@.microsoft.com...
>> >> > Can anyone tell me if Visual Studio Express and Visual Studio Report
>> >> > Designer
>> >> > are compatible when designing reports? We tried to import .RDL files
>> >> > between
>> >> > the two and were unsuccessful.
>> >> >
>> >> > Our intent is to give our user something like Visual Studio Express
>> >> > to
>> >> > develop reports , but yet be flexiable enough to maintain them or
>> >> > enhance
>> >> > them using the full Visual Studio version. Or, take a report done in
>> >> > the
>> >> > full
>> >> > version and allow he user to modify it in the Visual Studio Express
>> >> > version.
>> >> >
>> >> > I highly doubt this is possible but I need some outside opinions on
>> >> > this.
>> >> >
>> >> > Thanks for your time,
>> >> >
>> >> > Dave Sundell
>> >>
>> >>
>> >>
>>|||I discovered my problem. I forgot that I was sharing a report from Visual
Studio 2003 with Visual Studio Express and visa versa. Once I shared between
Visual Studio 2005 and Visual Studio Express then it worked fine. Dah.
I will look at Report Designer. Is that a simlar environment as Visual
Studio Express?
Dave
"Bruce L-C [MVP]" wrote:
> It is free. RS 2005 is licensed by the server. There is no cost/licensing
> for the report designer. Just use the SQL 2005 CD and install Report
> Designer.
>
> --
> Bruce Loehle-Conger
> MVP SQL Server Reporting Services
> "Dave Sundell" <DaveSundell@.discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
> news:D3462064-E935-48E1-8AE4-A57492F17FE7@.microsoft.com...
> > Ist it free to anyone or if do you need a license. Is it a download or
> > can
> > we allow any person to install from a SQL Server 2005 cd?
> >
> > By the way, thanks for your response/time.
> >
> > dave
> >
> > "Bruce L-C [MVP]" wrote:
> >
> >> No, I am talking about Report Designer not Report Builder. RS 2005 when
> >> it
> >> installed BI (or whatever it calls it, when you install Report Designer)
> >> it
> >> will integrate with VS 2005 if you have it, otherwise it installs a
> >> special
> >> version just for RS 2005 Report Designer.
> >>
> >> This was not the case with RS 2000 report designer. For that you first
> >> had
> >> to have VS 2003. Again, that is not the case for RS 2005 report designer.
> >>
> >>
> >> --
> >> Bruce Loehle-Conger
> >> MVP SQL Server Reporting Services
> >>
> >> "Dave Sundell" <DaveSundell@.discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
> >> news:4252933C-EE43-4031-A81E-212B29174391@.microsoft.com...
> >> > Are you talking about Report Builder in RS 2005?
> >> >
> >> > I need users to beable to modify reports that were designed/developed
> >> > using
> >> > Report Designer. And visa versa, beable to modify reports that were
> >> > done
> >> > with
> >> > Vistual Studio Express and edit them in full Visual Stduio.
> >> >
> >> > I suppose we can buy them a full version of Visual Studio but some
> >> > asked
> >> > me
> >> > to look into Visual Studio Express. I am installing it now in a Virtual
> >> > PC
> >> > mode as to not mess my normal Visual Studio environment.
> >> >
> >> > Back to Report Builder. I am sorry but it is not the same as Report
> >> > Designer
> >> > and we have had user experienced in Crystal reports and we need to give
> >> > them
> >> > something a little closer, like Report Designer. But we were pointed
> >> > towards
> >> > Visual Studio Express as a solution.
> >> >
> >> >
> >> > "Bruce L-C [MVP]" wrote:
> >> >
> >> >> None of this is necessary if you are using RS 2005. It comes with its
> >> >> own
> >> >> version of VS. It will integrate with it if you have it, otherwise it
> >> >> will
> >> >> install its own. If you are not writing your own assemblies then no
> >> >> need
> >> >> for
> >> >> buying VS. This is a change from RS 2000.
> >> >>
> >> >>
> >> >> --
> >> >> Bruce Loehle-Conger
> >> >> MVP SQL Server Reporting Services
> >> >>
> >> >> "Dave Sundell" <DaveSundell@.discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in
> >> >> message
> >> >> news:8A6273A3-DFB6-4F5A-B197-26F5755485C4@.microsoft.com...
> >> >> > Can anyone tell me if Visual Studio Express and Visual Studio Report
> >> >> > Designer
> >> >> > are compatible when designing reports? We tried to import .RDL files
> >> >> > between
> >> >> > the two and were unsuccessful.
> >> >> >
> >> >> > Our intent is to give our user something like Visual Studio Express
> >> >> > to
> >> >> > develop reports , but yet be flexiable enough to maintain them or
> >> >> > enhance
> >> >> > them using the full Visual Studio version. Or, take a report done in
> >> >> > the
> >> >> > full
> >> >> > version and allow he user to modify it in the Visual Studio Express
> >> >> > version.
> >> >> >
> >> >> > I highly doubt this is possible but I need some outside opinions on
> >> >> > this.
> >> >> >
> >> >> > Thanks for your time,
> >> >> >
> >> >> > Dave Sundell
> >> >>
> >> >>
> >> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>
>
>|||It is a version of VS just for hosting the Report Designer. Functionally no
difference. However, it only installs if you do not have VS 2005 installed.
If VS 2005 is there then it integrates with it. Also, I found out that if
you have installed Report Designer first and then VS 2005 that you will not
see Report Designer in it. If you want Report Designer integrated with VS
(for instance you have VB.Net 2005 installed) then install VB.Net 2005
first, then report designer.
Bruce Loehle-Conger
MVP SQL Server Reporting Services
"Dave Sundell" <DaveSundell@.discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:760A572F-7A63-45F5-87B1-21AD05436FF2@.microsoft.com...
>I discovered my problem. I forgot that I was sharing a report from Visual
> Studio 2003 with Visual Studio Express and visa versa. Once I shared
> between
> Visual Studio 2005 and Visual Studio Express then it worked fine. Dah.
> I will look at Report Designer. Is that a simlar environment as Visual
> Studio Express?
> Dave
> "Bruce L-C [MVP]" wrote:
>> It is free. RS 2005 is licensed by the server. There is no cost/licensing
>> for the report designer. Just use the SQL 2005 CD and install Report
>> Designer.
>>
>> --
>> Bruce Loehle-Conger
>> MVP SQL Server Reporting Services
>> "Dave Sundell" <DaveSundell@.discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
>> news:D3462064-E935-48E1-8AE4-A57492F17FE7@.microsoft.com...
>> > Ist it free to anyone or if do you need a license. Is it a download or
>> > can
>> > we allow any person to install from a SQL Server 2005 cd?
>> >
>> > By the way, thanks for your response/time.
>> >
>> > dave
>> >
>> > "Bruce L-C [MVP]" wrote:
>> >
>> >> No, I am talking about Report Designer not Report Builder. RS 2005
>> >> when
>> >> it
>> >> installed BI (or whatever it calls it, when you install Report
>> >> Designer)
>> >> it
>> >> will integrate with VS 2005 if you have it, otherwise it installs a
>> >> special
>> >> version just for RS 2005 Report Designer.
>> >>
>> >> This was not the case with RS 2000 report designer. For that you first
>> >> had
>> >> to have VS 2003. Again, that is not the case for RS 2005 report
>> >> designer.
>> >>
>> >>
>> >> --
>> >> Bruce Loehle-Conger
>> >> MVP SQL Server Reporting Services
>> >>
>> >> "Dave Sundell" <DaveSundell@.discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in
>> >> message
>> >> news:4252933C-EE43-4031-A81E-212B29174391@.microsoft.com...
>> >> > Are you talking about Report Builder in RS 2005?
>> >> >
>> >> > I need users to beable to modify reports that were
>> >> > designed/developed
>> >> > using
>> >> > Report Designer. And visa versa, beable to modify reports that were
>> >> > done
>> >> > with
>> >> > Vistual Studio Express and edit them in full Visual Stduio.
>> >> >
>> >> > I suppose we can buy them a full version of Visual Studio but some
>> >> > asked
>> >> > me
>> >> > to look into Visual Studio Express. I am installing it now in a
>> >> > Virtual
>> >> > PC
>> >> > mode as to not mess my normal Visual Studio environment.
>> >> >
>> >> > Back to Report Builder. I am sorry but it is not the same as Report
>> >> > Designer
>> >> > and we have had user experienced in Crystal reports and we need to
>> >> > give
>> >> > them
>> >> > something a little closer, like Report Designer. But we were pointed
>> >> > towards
>> >> > Visual Studio Express as a solution.
>> >> >
>> >> >
>> >> > "Bruce L-C [MVP]" wrote:
>> >> >
>> >> >> None of this is necessary if you are using RS 2005. It comes with
>> >> >> its
>> >> >> own
>> >> >> version of VS. It will integrate with it if you have it, otherwise
>> >> >> it
>> >> >> will
>> >> >> install its own. If you are not writing your own assemblies then no
>> >> >> need
>> >> >> for
>> >> >> buying VS. This is a change from RS 2000.
>> >> >>
>> >> >>
>> >> >> --
>> >> >> Bruce Loehle-Conger
>> >> >> MVP SQL Server Reporting Services
>> >> >>
>> >> >> "Dave Sundell" <DaveSundell@.discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in
>> >> >> message
>> >> >> news:8A6273A3-DFB6-4F5A-B197-26F5755485C4@.microsoft.com...
>> >> >> > Can anyone tell me if Visual Studio Express and Visual Studio
>> >> >> > Report
>> >> >> > Designer
>> >> >> > are compatible when designing reports? We tried to import .RDL
>> >> >> > files
>> >> >> > between
>> >> >> > the two and were unsuccessful.
>> >> >> >
>> >> >> > Our intent is to give our user something like Visual Studio
>> >> >> > Express
>> >> >> > to
>> >> >> > develop reports , but yet be flexiable enough to maintain them or
>> >> >> > enhance
>> >> >> > them using the full Visual Studio version. Or, take a report done
>> >> >> > in
>> >> >> > the
>> >> >> > full
>> >> >> > version and allow he user to modify it in the Visual Studio
>> >> >> > Express
>> >> >> > version.
>> >> >> >
>> >> >> > I highly doubt this is possible but I need some outside opinions
>> >> >> > on
>> >> >> > this.
>> >> >> >
>> >> >> > Thanks for your time,
>> >> >> >
>> >> >> > Dave Sundell
>> >> >>
>> >> >>
>> >> >>
>> >>
>> >>
>> >>
>>|||Bruce,
Thank you for your time and response to this matter.
In conclusion, I did install Report Designer and it seems to be a better
route then installing SQL Express since the user really doesn't need SQL
installed but simply the environment to design a report.
Thanks again.
"Bruce L-C [MVP]" wrote:
> It is a version of VS just for hosting the Report Designer. Functionally no
> difference. However, it only installs if you do not have VS 2005 installed.
> If VS 2005 is there then it integrates with it. Also, I found out that if
> you have installed Report Designer first and then VS 2005 that you will not
> see Report Designer in it. If you want Report Designer integrated with VS
> (for instance you have VB.Net 2005 installed) then install VB.Net 2005
> first, then report designer.
>
> --
> Bruce Loehle-Conger
> MVP SQL Server Reporting Services
> "Dave Sundell" <DaveSundell@.discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
> news:760A572F-7A63-45F5-87B1-21AD05436FF2@.microsoft.com...
> >I discovered my problem. I forgot that I was sharing a report from Visual
> > Studio 2003 with Visual Studio Express and visa versa. Once I shared
> > between
> > Visual Studio 2005 and Visual Studio Express then it worked fine. Dah.
> >
> > I will look at Report Designer. Is that a simlar environment as Visual
> > Studio Express?
> >
> > Dave
> >
> > "Bruce L-C [MVP]" wrote:
> >
> >> It is free. RS 2005 is licensed by the server. There is no cost/licensing
> >> for the report designer. Just use the SQL 2005 CD and install Report
> >> Designer.
> >>
> >>
> >> --
> >> Bruce Loehle-Conger
> >> MVP SQL Server Reporting Services
> >>
> >> "Dave Sundell" <DaveSundell@.discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
> >> news:D3462064-E935-48E1-8AE4-A57492F17FE7@.microsoft.com...
> >> > Ist it free to anyone or if do you need a license. Is it a download or
> >> > can
> >> > we allow any person to install from a SQL Server 2005 cd?
> >> >
> >> > By the way, thanks for your response/time.
> >> >
> >> > dave
> >> >
> >> > "Bruce L-C [MVP]" wrote:
> >> >
> >> >> No, I am talking about Report Designer not Report Builder. RS 2005
> >> >> when
> >> >> it
> >> >> installed BI (or whatever it calls it, when you install Report
> >> >> Designer)
> >> >> it
> >> >> will integrate with VS 2005 if you have it, otherwise it installs a
> >> >> special
> >> >> version just for RS 2005 Report Designer.
> >> >>
> >> >> This was not the case with RS 2000 report designer. For that you first
> >> >> had
> >> >> to have VS 2003. Again, that is not the case for RS 2005 report
> >> >> designer.
> >> >>
> >> >>
> >> >> --
> >> >> Bruce Loehle-Conger
> >> >> MVP SQL Server Reporting Services
> >> >>
> >> >> "Dave Sundell" <DaveSundell@.discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in
> >> >> message
> >> >> news:4252933C-EE43-4031-A81E-212B29174391@.microsoft.com...
> >> >> > Are you talking about Report Builder in RS 2005?
> >> >> >
> >> >> > I need users to beable to modify reports that were
> >> >> > designed/developed
> >> >> > using
> >> >> > Report Designer. And visa versa, beable to modify reports that were
> >> >> > done
> >> >> > with
> >> >> > Vistual Studio Express and edit them in full Visual Stduio.
> >> >> >
> >> >> > I suppose we can buy them a full version of Visual Studio but some
> >> >> > asked
> >> >> > me
> >> >> > to look into Visual Studio Express. I am installing it now in a
> >> >> > Virtual
> >> >> > PC
> >> >> > mode as to not mess my normal Visual Studio environment.
> >> >> >
> >> >> > Back to Report Builder. I am sorry but it is not the same as Report
> >> >> > Designer
> >> >> > and we have had user experienced in Crystal reports and we need to
> >> >> > give
> >> >> > them
> >> >> > something a little closer, like Report Designer. But we were pointed
> >> >> > towards
> >> >> > Visual Studio Express as a solution.
> >> >> >
> >> >> >
> >> >> > "Bruce L-C [MVP]" wrote:
> >> >> >
> >> >> >> None of this is necessary if you are using RS 2005. It comes with
> >> >> >> its
> >> >> >> own
> >> >> >> version of VS. It will integrate with it if you have it, otherwise
> >> >> >> it
> >> >> >> will
> >> >> >> install its own. If you are not writing your own assemblies then no
> >> >> >> need
> >> >> >> for
> >> >> >> buying VS. This is a change from RS 2000.
> >> >> >>
> >> >> >>
> >> >> >> --
> >> >> >> Bruce Loehle-Conger
> >> >> >> MVP SQL Server Reporting Services
> >> >> >>
> >> >> >> "Dave Sundell" <DaveSundell@.discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in
> >> >> >> message
> >> >> >> news:8A6273A3-DFB6-4F5A-B197-26F5755485C4@.microsoft.com...
> >> >> >> > Can anyone tell me if Visual Studio Express and Visual Studio
> >> >> >> > Report
> >> >> >> > Designer
> >> >> >> > are compatible when designing reports? We tried to import .RDL
> >> >> >> > files
> >> >> >> > between
> >> >> >> > the two and were unsuccessful.
> >> >> >> >
> >> >> >> > Our intent is to give our user something like Visual Studio
> >> >> >> > Express
> >> >> >> > to
> >> >> >> > develop reports , but yet be flexiable enough to maintain them or
> >> >> >> > enhance
> >> >> >> > them using the full Visual Studio version. Or, take a report done
> >> >> >> > in
> >> >> >> > the
> >> >> >> > full
> >> >> >> > version and allow he user to modify it in the Visual Studio
> >> >> >> > Express
> >> >> >> > version.
> >> >> >> >
> >> >> >> > I highly doubt this is possible but I need some outside opinions
> >> >> >> > on
> >> >> >> > this.
> >> >> >> >
> >> >> >> > Thanks for your time,
> >> >> >> >
> >> >> >> > Dave Sundell
> >> >> >>
> >> >> >>
> >> >> >>
> >> >>
> >> >>
> >> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>
>
>

Common Image in Reports

I need to display the company logo on 100 odd reports that run from different folders on the report manager. Since the company logo has changed before and we had to change every report, I want the image stored on a server (with SSL on) and want the reports to point to the server. The server is going to be different in development and production environments.

When I try to add the image using "Image Wizard" I get the error "Invalid image.". The wizard wouldn't let me use a function to build the path based on the environment and select the image from the correct server. It doesn't accept anything that doesn't start with "http:" when I select "web" as the image source.

Please Help!!!

Don't serve the image over SSL (which requires https: as the protocol). Why can't the image come from a non secure web address? I assume you are just serving these reports over an intranet?

|||Yes, the reports are rendered on the intranet. Even if I have the image come from a non secure web address, I'd still need to get the image from different web addresses in development and production. Reporting services doesn't let me use a web image, unless I specify a valid web address and to switch between development production I need to have some kind of variable in the address.|||

Hello,

Here's what you can do:

Create your report and add a string parameter (Environment) that you will set for development or production. Set this variable to Internal and give it 2 available values (D and P) with a default of D since this is where you will be testing. Add your image to your report via your web address for your development environment. Click on the image and in the properties window and change the Value property to an expression with something like this:

=Switch(Parameters!Environment.Value = "D", "http://www.DevServer.com/images/DevImage.jpg", Parameters!Environment.Value = "P", "http://www.ProdServer.com/images/ProdImage.jpg")

Now, when you deploy your report to production, go into the properties of your report in report manager and change the value of the Evironment parameter to P.

Jarret

|||Thanks Jarret, I'll try and let you know how it goes!!!

Common Expression Editor Dialog

Hi,
I am using July CTP and dundas beta 1 for RS reports...when I try to
adjust a chart and add an expression it tells me...
'Launch the common expression editor dialog. This is not available in
this build of SQL Server 2005 Reporting Services.'
Is it available in September CTP?
Thanks
Peter
www.peternolan.comFor others looking at this the answer is yes...this dialog box exists
on the September CTP version......It seems I have the custom assembly
(with no code group added) working on September CTP along with Dundas
Charts beta 2...the old reports still do not migrate across properly
and I am still yet to figure that one out.....but the charts I can
produce with Dundas are well in advance of those I can produce with the
standard reports...
My only complaint? I have never seen so many options on a chart!!!
Time to read the manual!! (LOL)
Peter
www.peternolan.com

Common dataset for Multiple reports

Hi..
I have few reports that uses a very similar sql query in its own dataset, i
would like to have this sql query in a common place (a common dataset) so if
there a change i dont have to go thru all the report change the query.
Thank you very much,
Mahen.Unfortunately, that is not possible in Reporting Services 2000. Not sure
about 2005.
What you could do was to create a Stored Procedure, and use this in your
reports. If you change the content, you change the stored procedure, not 10
reports. But you still have to create a dataset connected to it in each
report. Also, if you change the parameters for your stored procedure, you
need to edit all reports using that stored procedure too.
Kaisa M. Lindahl Lervik
"Mahen" <Mahen@.discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:DDF3483F-4C61-4895-9DEE-40F383A655C0@.microsoft.com...
> Hi..
> I have few reports that uses a very similar sql query in its own dataset,
> i
> would like to have this sql query in a common place (a common dataset) so
> if
> there a change i dont have to go thru all the report change the query.
> Thank you very much,
> Mahen.

Comments in field titles.

Is there a way to place a comment into a feild title, like Excel? I have
reports that have comments that explain how the results were derived.Here was my solution. We created a hyperlink to a subreport and placed it in
the footer. " Further explaination to the test criteria may be found by
clicking HERE (on the web report)." That would take the user to a subreport
with all the definitions and leave a 'hint' trail on the printout or in
Excel.
"Candyman" wrote:
> Is there a way to place a comment into a feild title, like Excel? I have
> reports that have comments that explain how the results were derived.

CommandText Size Limit?

Hello, some of our users have some "canned" reports they want to run without the hassle of searching for members throughout a myriad of hierarchies in our OLAP cubes. Tools like ProClarity and Novaview are great for analysis, but when needing long lists of unrelated low lying members of a dimension, they're quite cumbersome.

We decided to use Reporting Services to save the reports' static layouts and pass the MDX strings programatically (SQL 2000/Analysis Services/ .NET Framework 1.1/Development Env 2003). The problem is, many of the named sets the users can build dynamically into the MDX to bounce of the cubes goes well past 65k, and our web services app keeps choking on this. Is there any way to bump this limit up?

Thanks in advance for any help!

Anyone? Sorry to push this up, but I was hoping someone had some insight. Thanks!

Command line to pass parameters in SQL

Hi,
Do you know if any command I can use to pass parameters into reports,
generate PDF report format and drop it into a shared folder? Thanks.
ChuckYou can pass parameters ,and create PDF from a URL report request, but I do
not think you can specify a save directory
--
Wayne Snyder, MCDBA, SQL Server MVP
Mariner, Charlotte, NC
www.mariner-usa.com
(Please respond only to the newsgroups.)
I support the Professional Association of SQL Server (PASS) and it's
community of SQL Server professionals.
www.sqlpass.org
"Chuck" <Chuck@.discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:297FC292-95E4-408D-9E93-78C698A98AFC@.microsoft.com...
> Hi,
> Do you know if any command I can use to pass parameters into reports,
> generate PDF report format and drop it into a shared folder? Thanks.
>
> Chuck

Command line printing to specific printers, and specific trays

Hi All,

Could you guys please help me with printing reports invoked thru command line/ URL access to print automatically to specific printers and specific trays and also is it possible to set the specific printer and tray as parameters.

Any suggestions is appreciated

Thanks A lot in advance

e,g :

http://localhost/reportserver?/testreports/employee sales&UserID='ABC'&LName=Lastname='victor'&rs:Command=Render

There are no url parameters to make the report automatically print. You can print using the ActiveX control that ships with RS 2005 or you could look into using the printer delivery sample for printing your reports.

Coming from ReportBuilder...

(warning: possibly stupid questions may follow)
I've currently in the process of porting a project written in Delphi with
reports generated in ReportBuilder 10.
I've never had anything to do with creating reports in a .NET environment
previously so I'm just wondering if there are any things I should be aware
of? The new application will be running off an SQL server 2005, but I would
also like it to be able to run off SQL server express.. Is this feasible?
I'm also wondering about the architecture.. Do the reports *have* to be
generated server side and be fetched via WS or can I embed reports in my
application and just fetch the data from the sql-server? If both methods are
doable, what's the best approach? The application will primarily be used
in-house with a small load but may be turned into a commercial project
somewhere down the road.
Any help is much appreciated!
HåvardWhich front-side client language will you be using? Delphi Win32, Delphi
.NET, C#, VB.NET?
Alain Quesnel
alainsansspam@.logiquel.com
www.logiquel.com
"Håvard Olerud Eriksne" <hoeriksen@.SPAMMENOTgmail.com> wrote in message
news:ueB8gsTfIHA.2000@.TK2MSFTNGP03.phx.gbl...
> (warning: possibly stupid questions may follow)
> I've currently in the process of porting a project written in Delphi with
> reports generated in ReportBuilder 10.
> I've never had anything to do with creating reports in a .NET environment
> previously so I'm just wondering if there are any things I should be aware
> of? The new application will be running off an SQL server 2005, but I
> would also like it to be able to run off SQL server express.. Is this
> feasible? I'm also wondering about the architecture.. Do the reports
> *have* to be generated server side and be fetched via WS or can I embed
> reports in my application and just fetch the data from the sql-server? If
> both methods are doable, what's the best approach? The application will
> primarily be used in-house with a small load but may be turned into a
> commercial project somewhere down the road.
> Any help is much appreciated!
> Håvard|||On Mar 3, 4:14=A0pm, "Alain Quesnel" <alainsanss...@.logiquel.com> wrote:
> Which front-side client language will you be using? Delphi Win32, Delphi
> .NET, C#, VB.NET?
I'm writing the application using C# in VS2008|||In that case, you can use the .NET Report Control for either C# web apps or
C# windows apps. Personally, I prefer using the web based report server.
Then your reports are served via a web browser, which means zero deployment.
All you need on the client side is MSIE 6 or 7. End-users can even write
their own ad-hoc reports via a web browser with Report Builder (comes out of
the box with MSSQL/SSRS 2005).
Alain Quesnel
alainsansspam@.logiquel.com
www.logiquel.com
"Håvard Olerud Eriksne" <hoeriksen@.SPAMMENOTgmail.com> wrote in message
news:ueB8gsTfIHA.2000@.TK2MSFTNGP03.phx.gbl...
> (warning: possibly stupid questions may follow)
> I've currently in the process of porting a project written in Delphi with
> reports generated in ReportBuilder 10.
> I've never had anything to do with creating reports in a .NET environment
> previously so I'm just wondering if there are any things I should be aware
> of? The new application will be running off an SQL server 2005, but I
> would also like it to be able to run off SQL server express.. Is this
> feasible? I'm also wondering about the architecture.. Do the reports
> *have* to be generated server side and be fetched via WS or can I embed
> reports in my application and just fetch the data from the sql-server? If
> both methods are doable, what's the best approach? The application will
> primarily be used in-house with a small load but may be turned into a
> commercial project somewhere down the road.
> Any help is much appreciated!
> Håvard|||"Alain Quesnel" <alainsansspam@.logiquel.com> wrote in message
news:urzJlGXfIHA.5620@.TK2MSFTNGP04.phx.gbl...
> In that case, you can use the .NET Report Control for either C# web apps
> or C# windows apps. Personally, I prefer using the web based report
> server. Then your reports are served via a web browser, which means zero
> deployment. All you need on the client side is MSIE 6 or 7. End-users can
> even write their own ad-hoc reports via a web browser with Report Builder
> (comes out of the box with MSSQL/SSRS 2005).
OK, thanks. Since the application is based on WinForms I think I'll go with
the Report Control. Last question, is this similar(ish) to use as
ReportBuilder?
Cheers,
Håvard
>
> Alain Quesnel
> alainsansspam@.logiquel.com
> www.logiquel.com
>
> "Håvard Olerud Eriksne" <hoeriksen@.SPAMMENOTgmail.com> wrote in message
> news:ueB8gsTfIHA.2000@.TK2MSFTNGP03.phx.gbl...
>> (warning: possibly stupid questions may follow)
>> I've currently in the process of porting a project written in Delphi with
>> reports generated in ReportBuilder 10.
>> I've never had anything to do with creating reports in a .NET environment
>> previously so I'm just wondering if there are any things I should be
>> aware of? The new application will be running off an SQL server 2005, but
>> I would also like it to be able to run off SQL server express.. Is this
>> feasible? I'm also wondering about the architecture.. Do the reports
>> *have* to be generated server side and be fetched via WS or can I embed
>> reports in my application and just fetch the data from the sql-server? If
>> both methods are doable, what's the best approach? The application will
>> primarily be used in-house with a small load but may be turned into a
>> commercial project somewhere down the road.
>> Any help is much appreciated!
>> Håvard
>|||I think so, but I haven't worked with Reporting Services in that manner.
--
Alain Quesnel
alainsansspam@.logiquel.com
www.logiquel.com
"Håvard Olerud Eriksen" <hoeriksen@.SPAMMENOTgmail.com> wrote in message
news:uPStckXfIHA.4696@.TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl...
> "Alain Quesnel" <alainsansspam@.logiquel.com> wrote in message
> news:urzJlGXfIHA.5620@.TK2MSFTNGP04.phx.gbl...
>> In that case, you can use the .NET Report Control for either C# web apps
>> or C# windows apps. Personally, I prefer using the web based report
>> server. Then your reports are served via a web browser, which means zero
>> deployment. All you need on the client side is MSIE 6 or 7. End-users can
>> even write their own ad-hoc reports via a web browser with Report Builder
>> (comes out of the box with MSSQL/SSRS 2005).
> OK, thanks. Since the application is based on WinForms I think I'll go
> with the Report Control. Last question, is this similar(ish) to use as
> ReportBuilder?
> Cheers,
> Håvard
>>
>> Alain Quesnel
>> alainsansspam@.logiquel.com
>> www.logiquel.com
>>
>> "Håvard Olerud Eriksne" <hoeriksen@.SPAMMENOTgmail.com> wrote in message
>> news:ueB8gsTfIHA.2000@.TK2MSFTNGP03.phx.gbl...
>> (warning: possibly stupid questions may follow)
>> I've currently in the process of porting a project written in Delphi
>> with reports generated in ReportBuilder 10.
>> I've never had anything to do with creating reports in a .NET
>> environment previously so I'm just wondering if there are any things I
>> should be aware of? The new application will be running off an SQL
>> server 2005, but I would also like it to be able to run off SQL server
>> express.. Is this feasible? I'm also wondering about the architecture..
>> Do the reports *have* to be generated server side and be fetched via WS
>> or can I embed reports in my application and just fetch the data from
>> the sql-server? If both methods are doable, what's the best approach?
>> The application will primarily be used in-house with a small load but
>> may be turned into a commercial project somewhere down the road.
>> Any help is much appreciated!
>> Håvard
>|||I think so, but I haven't worked with Reporting Services in that manner.
--
Alain Quesnel
alainsansspam@.logiquel.com
www.logiquel.com
"Håvard Olerud Eriksen" <hoeriksen@.SPAMMENOTgmail.com> wrote in message
news:uPStckXfIHA.4696@.TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl...
> "Alain Quesnel" <alainsansspam@.logiquel.com> wrote in message
> news:urzJlGXfIHA.5620@.TK2MSFTNGP04.phx.gbl...
>> In that case, you can use the .NET Report Control for either C# web apps
>> or C# windows apps. Personally, I prefer using the web based report
>> server. Then your reports are served via a web browser, which means zero
>> deployment. All you need on the client side is MSIE 6 or 7. End-users can
>> even write their own ad-hoc reports via a web browser with Report Builder
>> (comes out of the box with MSSQL/SSRS 2005).
> OK, thanks. Since the application is based on WinForms I think I'll go
> with the Report Control. Last question, is this similar(ish) to use as
> ReportBuilder?
> Cheers,
> Håvard
>>
>> Alain Quesnel
>> alainsansspam@.logiquel.com
>> www.logiquel.com
>>
>> "Håvard Olerud Eriksne" <hoeriksen@.SPAMMENOTgmail.com> wrote in message
>> news:ueB8gsTfIHA.2000@.TK2MSFTNGP03.phx.gbl...
>> (warning: possibly stupid questions may follow)
>> I've currently in the process of porting a project written in Delphi
>> with reports generated in ReportBuilder 10.
>> I've never had anything to do with creating reports in a .NET
>> environment previously so I'm just wondering if there are any things I
>> should be aware of? The new application will be running off an SQL
>> server 2005, but I would also like it to be able to run off SQL server
>> express.. Is this feasible? I'm also wondering about the architecture..
>> Do the reports *have* to be generated server side and be fetched via WS
>> or can I embed reports in my application and just fetch the data from
>> the sql-server? If both methods are doable, what's the best approach?
>> The application will primarily be used in-house with a small load but
>> may be turned into a commercial project somewhere down the road.
>> Any help is much appreciated!
>> Håvard
>|||"Alain Quesnel" <alainsansspam@.logiquel.com> wrote in message
news:OseId8hfIHA.5624@.TK2MSFTNGP02.phx.gbl...
>I think so, but I haven't worked with Reporting Services in that manner.
OK, thanks. I've started looking into the issues now and it looks promising
:)
Håvard
> --
> Alain Quesnel
> alainsansspam@.logiquel.com
> www.logiquel.com
>
> "Håvard Olerud Eriksen" <hoeriksen@.SPAMMENOTgmail.com> wrote in message
> news:uPStckXfIHA.4696@.TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl...
>> "Alain Quesnel" <alainsansspam@.logiquel.com> wrote in message
>> news:urzJlGXfIHA.5620@.TK2MSFTNGP04.phx.gbl...
>> In that case, you can use the .NET Report Control for either C# web apps
>> or C# windows apps. Personally, I prefer using the web based report
>> server. Then your reports are served via a web browser, which means zero
>> deployment. All you need on the client side is MSIE 6 or 7. End-users
>> can
>> even write their own ad-hoc reports via a web browser with Report
>> Builder
>> (comes out of the box with MSSQL/SSRS 2005).
>> OK, thanks. Since the application is based on WinForms I think I'll go
>> with the Report Control. Last question, is this similar(ish) to use as
>> ReportBuilder?
>> Cheers,
>> Håvard
>>
>>
>> Alain Quesnel
>> alainsansspam@.logiquel.com
>> www.logiquel.com
>>
>> "Håvard Olerud Eriksne" <hoeriksen@.SPAMMENOTgmail.com> wrote in message
>> news:ueB8gsTfIHA.2000@.TK2MSFTNGP03.phx.gbl...
>> (warning: possibly stupid questions may follow)
>> I've currently in the process of porting a project written in Delphi
>> with reports generated in ReportBuilder 10.
>> I've never had anything to do with creating reports in a .NET
>> environment previously so I'm just wondering if there are any things I
>> should be aware of? The new application will be running off an SQL
>> server 2005, but I would also like it to be able to run off SQL server
>> express.. Is this feasible? I'm also wondering about the architecture..
>> Do the reports *have* to be generated server side and be fetched via WS
>> or can I embed reports in my application and just fetch the data from
>> the sql-server? If both methods are doable, what's the best approach?
>> The application will primarily be used in-house with a small load but
>> may be turned into a commercial project somewhere down the road.
>> Any help is much appreciated!
>> Håvard
>>
>
>