SQL Server 2008 Report Builder Tutorial

Microsoft SQL Server 2008 Report Builder is used to create and manage reports by the end-user.

Report Builder is a part of the SQL Server 2008 Reporting Services offered by Microsoft for the end-users who are not familiar with the underlying database architecture of the reports. The report builder has an interface similar to Office 2007, which makes it easier for the user to understand and use its full capabilities. You can create tables, matrix, charts, design queries with the help of wizards. There are two report builders available in SQL Server 2008. The Report Builder 1.0 is available in the program. Report Builder 2.0 is a stand-alone application.

Things You'll Need

• Microsoft SQL Server 2008 Report Builder

Instructions

1. Click Windows "Start," choose "All Programs," and select "Microsoft SQL Server Report Builder" and click "Report Builder." You will see a ribbon interface similar to Windows Office Word 2007 for managing reports, "Report Data" panel which shows all the data relevant to the reports you create, "Properties" panel where you can manipulate the properties of a report and the main designer interface.

2. Select "Table or Matrix" or "Charts" icon from the designer panel to open the appropriate wizard. If you selected the "Table or Matrix" option, the "New Table or Matrix" window will open.

3. Select the data source for the report in the "Choose a connection to a data source" screen. Click "New" to open the "Data Source Properties" window.

4. Type a name for your data source below "Name:" label. Select "Microsoft SQL Server" from the drop-down menu for "Select a connection type:" and click "Build." The "Connection Properties" window will open. You can select the server and test your connection to the data source. Enter "localhost" for "Server name:" and select a database from the drop-down menu or type a name for your database.

5. Click "Test Connection" to test connectivity. Click "OK" in the "Test Results" window. Click "OK" to go back to the "Data Source Properties" window.

6. Click "Next" to open the "Design a query" window. You can type your query using the "Edit As Text" tab or select the fields in the "database view."

7. Click "Next" to go to the "Arrange fields" screen. You can manage the data for your report by arranging them in "Row groups," "Column Groups" and aggregate values.

8. Highlight the attributes in "Available fields" and drag them to the appropriate panels. Click "next" to go to the "Choose layout" screen.

9. Check box the appropriate layout and click "Next" to go to the "Choose a style" screen. Select the appropriate style by highlighting the available options under the "Styles:" label.

10. Click "Finish" to complete the process. You can see the report in the designer interface.

11. Click "Run" from the main menu to see the report. You can go back to the designer panel by clicking the "Design" tab in the main menu.

12. Save the report by selecting "Save As" option in the main menu. The report will be saved as .rdl (Report Definition Language) extension.

13. Click on Report Builder icon and select "Options." The "Report Builder Options" window will open. Enter the URL of the default server report where you want to deploy your reports. You do not need to do this step if you already specified a default server location while installing the Report Builder application. Click "OK" to complete the step.

Resources

• Microsoft : Download Details: SQL Server 2008 Report Builder 2.0
• Microsoft: Lesson 1: Creating a New Report (Report Builder 2.0)