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Reporting Services Lookup Functions
August 13, 2009 / 1 Comment »
One new SSRS SQL Server 2008 R2 feature that caught my attention is lookup functions. When reading the Reporting Services discussion list, I come frequently across questions that ask if it is possible to look up a value from a dataset other than the dataset the region is bound to. Excluding getting the first or last value (First and Last functions) or aggregate functions that work on the entire dataset, the only solution was to cache the dataset in a report code-behind code and use custom code to perform the navigation. R2 will change this by introducing Lookup, LookupSet, and Multilookup functions. The lookup functions are best understood with an example. Take a look at this report (attached) which is based on the Sales Order Detail 2008 report that ships with the Adventure Works sample reports. I added a couple of textboxes to the report. The order details section includes...
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The Dazzling R2 Report Manager
August 12, 2009 / No Comments »
In this and future blogs I'll cover the most important new features in the forthcoming release of Reporting Services which will be included in SQL Server 2008 R2 (code-named Kilimanjaro or KJ for short). Let's start with the most obvious new feature: the all new Report Manager UI. SharePoint-like UI The moment you open Report Manager, you will notice that significant work was done to make the UI more intuitive, a la SharePoint. For example, similar to SharePoint, a drop-down context menu pops up when you hover on a report item that lets you quickly access relevant tasks. Simplified UI The management pages also received facelift. Microsoft has reduced the number of buttons and changed the tab styling so you are sure which tab is selected. Although seemingly minor, I am sure you'd love the new look and feel. For example, I like the fact that I don't have run...
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New Reporting Services Features in SQL Server 2008 R2 CTP2
August 11, 2009 / No Comments »
It turned out that for time being the CTP2 of SQL Server 2008 R2 which I announced yesterday is available for TAP participants only. It will be publicly available on Wednesday. Meanwhile, Robert Bruckner listed the new Reporting Services features which got implemented in CTP2. The biggy is the new map region that lets you visualize geospatial and geometry data. In my first book I had a sample that demonstrated how to export a report as a data feed. Well, in R2 this will be natively supported. Reports as data feeds, anyone? Visual Studio 2010 Beta 2 will include an AJAX Report Viewer. I would hope for a Silverlight version but one step at a time. Again, post your KJ-related question to the Reporting Services forum.
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SQL Server 2008 R2 CTP Available
August 10, 2009 / No Comments »
Microsoft just pushed CTP2 of SQL Server 2008 R2 build #1092.20 (code-named Kilimanjaro).
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SQL Server R2 Forums Available
August 10, 2009 / No Comments »
The SQL Server R2 (Kilimanjaro) discussion forums went live today. Your humble correspondent is the moderator of the Reporting Services forum. SQL Server R2 CTP 2 should be out on connect.microsoft.com shortly. Looking forward to your feedback!
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SharePoint Integrated with Reporting Services on Windows Vista
August 7, 2009 / No Comments »
So, how's this not cool? Running SharePoint integrated with Reporting Services on Windows Vista! I've always had a grudge with SharePoint that it doesn't run on a desktop OS. This forces you to install Windows Server or use a virtual image, both options far from ideal. When I went to TechEd I blurted by disappointment to a couple of SharePoint gurus who clued me in (this is why we go to conferences, right, to learn the latest hacks) but I didn't have time to try it … until today. The solution is to use the Bamboo's workaround (OK, an ingenious hack) but it works like a charm. What about Windows 7 which has recently RTM'ed? Bamboo took care of that as well. I hope Microsoft will take a note and finally support officially SharePoint on a desktop OS. If SQL Server can scale down all the way to mobile devices,...
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Nevron Charting for Reporting Services
August 1, 2009 / No Comments »
Reporting Services charting not enough? Nevron Software has released a Nevron Charting for Reporting Services which I haven't personally tested yet. According to the vendor, here are the major features where Nevron excels in comparison with Reporting Services charting: - Speed - Nevron Chart for SSRS is the fastest rendering chart inside Reporting Services - in both 2D and 3D modes. - 3D Charting - Nevron Chart for Reporting Services has the best layout in 3D and the most advanced feature set in 3D - including: 11 predefined lighting modes, ability to specify element materials (control the way in which elements reflect light), largest charting types set in 3D, biggest set of shapes in 3D (applicable to pies, bars, markers, areas etc.). - 2D Charting - Nevron Chart for Reporting Services is the only chart for Reporting Services to provide Adobe Photoshop like image filter effects, which are applicable to...
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Applied Reporting Services 2008 Online Training Class with Teo Lachev
July 28, 2009 / 4 Comments »
Some of you shared with us your frustration with training budgets cut in half. Many of you couldn't attend industry conferences this year. Many of you asked how we can help. We are excited to offer online Business Intelligence classes – no travel, no hotel expenses, just 100% content delivered right to your desktop! Our first class is Applied Reporting Services 2008. This three-day intensive event teaches you the knowledge and skills you need to master Reporting Services to its fullest. Applied Reporting Services 2008 Online Training Class with Teo Lachev Date: August 31 – September 2, 2009 Time: Noon – 4 pm EDT; 9 am – 1 pm PDT 12 training hours total for only $799! Attend this class for only $799 and get a free paper copy of the book Applied Microsoft SQL Server 2008 Reporting Services by Teo Lachev! For more information or to register click here!
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Cumulative Update 3 for SQL Server 2008 Service Pack 1
July 21, 2009 / No Comments »
Microsoft released today a Cumulative Update 3 for SQL Server 2008 Service Pack 1. Among other things it fixes the Report Builder 2.0 ClickOnce deployment issue on x64 which I reported here.
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Excel Page Numbering Issue
July 10, 2009 / No Comments »
An issue was reported about page numbering and exporting reports to Excel with Reporting Services 2008. Specifically, if the page header or footer uses a placeholder for the page number, when exported and previewed in Excel, the report will show Page 1 on all pages. Page [&PageNumber] of [&TotalPages] While waiting for Microsoft to fix this, use an expression that concatenates the PageNumber member of the Globals collection. = "Page" & Globals!PageNumber & " of " & Globals!TotalPages To enter the expression, select the textbox item, right-click and choose Expression.
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