Getting Started with SQL Reporting Services

[dgillz]

Hello All,

I am a Crystal Reports guru, but I want to learn SQL Reporting Services. I have SQL Server 2005 Express installed on my laptop. Under the SQL 2005 program group, I have setup the Reporting Services Configuration, and I believe I am ready to create my first report.

BUT

I cannot seem to find a functional equivalent of Crystal's report designer. So basically I need to start by selecting my tables, defining links, selecting fields, etc., etc.

So where is the interface to do this?

Software Sales, Training, Implementation and Support for Macola, eSynergy, and Crystal Reports

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"If you have a big enough dictionary, just about everything is a word"
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[dgillz]

OK I got here in the tutorial:

"Click Start, point to Programs, point to Microsoft SQL Server 2005, and then click Business Intelligence Development Studio."

However I do not have Business Intelligence Development Studio in my program group. How do I get this installed?

Software Sales, Training, Implementation and Support for Macola, eSynergy, and Crystal Reports

http://www.gainfocus.biz

"If you have a big enough dictionary, just about everything is a word"
--Dave Barry

 

[samiam07]

dgillz
I've been working with CR for over 9 years and my biz partner has been teaching it for about 6. We're both looking at MS-SSRS as a serious challenger to CR and are trying to work out a system to install and run it.

We hope you don't mind posting your trials and tribulations. If at some point we can jump in with an answer or three, we will.

Thank you

 

[JohnOB]

I understand that the report writing services is an add on to Visual Basic, therefore I was under the impression that in order to create reports, you need to have Visual Basic or Visual Studio.Net installed, but like you I am still in the learning stage, I have CR and looking to move to RRS soon so would also appreciate any updates.

"Stupid isn't not knowing the answer, it's not asking the question

 

[JohnOB]

This might help

http://www.awprofessional.com/articles/article.asp?p=357693&seqNum=3&rl=1

Though this talks about sql 2000

"Stupid isn't not knowing the answer, it's not asking the question

 

[xlbo]

AFAIK, you need Visual Studio to generate RS reports. If however, you know all the object model, you could probably write straight xml - however, it would still need to be populated into the ReportServer database somehow (VS does this automatically through deploying reports)

Rgds, Geoff

We could learn a lot from crayons. Some are sharp, some are pretty and some are dull. Some have weird names and all are different colours but they all live in the same box.

Please read FAQ222-2244 before you ask a question

 

[samiam07]

SSRS 2005 uses an IDE that imitates VStudio so that you don't need it to create the report. When it comes to uploading to the server or running it, I'm not sure if VS is needed.

 

[JohnOB]

I currently have MS SQL 2000 installed on my PC, does this mean that all I need is a copy of vosual studio, and a copy of the 'Add in' for report writing services? I have asked IT to setup report writing services on the SQL 2000 server, but do I need this?

I know report writing services comes with 2005 but I believe a Beta version comes with 2000, which is what we want to try.

"Stupid isn't not knowing the answer, it's not asking the question

 

[xlbo]

There is certainly a beta version shipped with 2000 - that is what we are running.

However, you also need the reportserver database set up to allow you to deploy reports - there would certainly need to be an install of that at least but I think that everything you need is shipped with SS2000

Rgds, Geoff

We could learn a lot from crayons. Some are sharp, some are pretty and some are dull. Some have weird names and all are different colours but they all live in the same box.

Please read FAQ222-2244 before you ask a question

 

[JohnOB]

Thanks Geoff

So, report server database aside, I allready have SQL 2000 on my PC, and then I will get Visual Studio, is there then a third piece of software which is this 'Add in' that I need to install on my PC.

Thanks

"Stupid isn't not knowing the answer, it's not asking the question

 

[dgillz]

So where do I get this add-in?

Software Sales, Training, Implementation and Support for Macola, eSynergy, and Crystal Reports

http://www.gainfocus.biz

"If you have a big enough dictionary, just about everything is a word"
--Dave Barry

 

[xlbo]

Not sure if it is as simple as that. This article is pretty comprehensive without going ott:

http://www.sqlservercentral.com/col...servicespartioverviewarchitectureandinsta.asp

MS also has an example for installing on a single machine (as opposed to Client Server which we are running here)

http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms144290.aspx

Rgds, Geoff

We could learn a lot from crayons. Some are sharp, some are pretty and some are dull. Some have weird names and all are different colours but they all live in the same box.

Please read FAQ222-2244 before you ask a question

 

[AlexCuse]

Did you install 'SQL Server Express With Advanced Services'

(find it here:

http://msdn.microsoft.com/vstudio/express/sql/download/)

I don't think SSRS (and BIDS client component) comes with SQL Express by default.

If I were you I'd invest in the developer's edition though. I KNOW this comes with BIDS. It costs $50 and has all the features of Enterprise (just not licensed for production use).

Hope this helps,

Alex

I don't do any programming whatsoever

Ignorance of certain subjects is a great part of wisdom

 

[dgillz]

Update: I DID IT!

I had to install SQL Express Toolkit to get the Business Intelligence Development Studio on my program group, but once done I was able to write a simple Bill of Material list grouped by parent item #.

So I have a lot to learn, but I can create simple list style report. By the end of the day I hope to get to formula fields, record selection, parameter fields, etc.

Software Sales, Training, Implementation and Support for Macola, eSynergy, and Crystal Reports

http://www.gainfocus.biz

"If you have a big enough dictionary, just about everything is a word"
--Dave Barry

 

[JohnOB]

Do you know if SQL Express Toolkit is available to download for SQL 2000?

Thanks

"Stupid isn't not knowing the answer, it's not asking the question

 

[dgillz]

SQL Server Express, as faras I know, is a 2005 product. SQL Server Express is for desktop/laptop use, not a true server, so it will run on XP Pro or I assume Vista. This is a free download, so google it up if you are interested.

The SQL 2000 functional equivalent is SQL Server 2000 Desktop Engine, also a free download, also easy to google.

Software Sales, Training, Implementation and Support for Macola, eSynergy, and Crystal Reports

http://www.gainfocus.biz

"If you have a big enough dictionary, just about everything is a word"
--Dave Barry