Microsoft SQL Server 2008 R2 810-08230 User Manual
Product codes
810-08230
Report Builder 3.0
CHAPTER 9
183
Report Builder 3.0
Report Builder 1.0 was the first release of a report development tool targeted for business
users . That version restricted the users to queries based on a report model and supported
limited report layout capabilities . Report Builder 2 .0 was released with SQL Server 2008 and
gave the user expanded capabilities for importing queries from other report definition files or
for writing a query on any data source supported by Reporting Services . In addition, Report
Builder 2.0 included support for all layout options of Report Definition Language (RDL).
Report Builder 3 .0 is the third iteration of this tool . It supports the new capabilities of SQL
Server 2008 R2 RDL including maps, sparklines, and data bars . In addition, Report Builder 3 .0
supports two improvements intended to speed up the report development process—edit
sessions and the Report Part Gallery .
users . That version restricted the users to queries based on a report model and supported
limited report layout capabilities . Report Builder 2 .0 was released with SQL Server 2008 and
gave the user expanded capabilities for importing queries from other report definition files or
for writing a query on any data source supported by Reporting Services . In addition, Report
Builder 2.0 included support for all layout options of Report Definition Language (RDL).
Report Builder 3 .0 is the third iteration of this tool . It supports the new capabilities of SQL
Server 2008 R2 RDL including maps, sparklines, and data bars . In addition, Report Builder 3 .0
supports two improvements intended to speed up the report development process—edit
sessions and the Report Part Gallery .
Edit Sessions
Report Builder 3 .0 operates as an edit session on the report server if you perform your devel-
opment work while connected to the server. The main benefit of the edit session is to speed
up the preview process and render reports faster . The report server saves cached datasets
for the edit session . These datasets are reused when you preview the report and have made
report changes that affect the layout only . If you know that the data has changed in the
meantime, you can use the Refresh button to retrieve current data for the report . The cache
remains available on the server for two hours and resets whenever you preview the report .
After the two hours have passed, the report server deletes the cache . An administrator can
change this default period to retain the cache for longer periods if necessary .
opment work while connected to the server. The main benefit of the edit session is to speed
up the preview process and render reports faster . The report server saves cached datasets
for the edit session . These datasets are reused when you preview the report and have made
report changes that affect the layout only . If you know that the data has changed in the
meantime, you can use the Refresh button to retrieve current data for the report . The cache
remains available on the server for two hours and resets whenever you preview the report .
After the two hours have passed, the report server deletes the cache . An administrator can
change this default period to retain the cache for longer periods if necessary .
The edit session also makes it easier to work with server objects during report develop-
ment. One benefit is the ability to use relative references in expressions. Relative references
allow you to specify the path to subreports, images, and other reports that you might con-
figure as targets for the Jump To action relative to the current report’s location on the report
server. Another benefit is the ability to test connections and confirm that authentication
credentials work before publishing the report to the report server .
allow you to specify the path to subreports, images, and other reports that you might con-
figure as targets for the Jump To action relative to the current report’s location on the report
server. Another benefit is the ability to test connections and confirm that authentication
credentials work before publishing the report to the report server .
The Report Part Gallery
Report Builder 3 .0 includes a new window, the Report Part Gallery, that you can enable from
the View tab on the ribbon . At the top of this window is a search box in which you can type
a string value, as shown in Figure 9-19, and search for report parts published to the report
server where the name or the description of the report part contains the search string . You
can also search by additional criteria, such as the name of the creator or the date created .
To use the report part, simply drag the item from the list onto the report body . The ability
to find and use report parts is available only within Report Builder 3.0. You can use Report
Designer to create and publish report parts, but not to reuse them in other reports .
the View tab on the ribbon . At the top of this window is a search box in which you can type
a string value, as shown in Figure 9-19, and search for report parts published to the report
server where the name or the description of the report part contains the search string . You
can also search by additional criteria, such as the name of the creator or the date created .
To use the report part, simply drag the item from the list onto the report body . The ability
to find and use report parts is available only within Report Builder 3.0. You can use Report
Designer to create and publish report parts, but not to reuse them in other reports .