Creating RDL using information contained in an existing Data Model

This question is in regard to creating RDL programmatically, using information contained in an existing Data Model; basically mimicking what the Report Builder does.

What I need to do is integrate a dummied down version of the Report Builder into an existing web application; where users will have the option to build and save reports using a very simple web interface, 4 step process. This process will only have a very few of the options that the Report Builder has.

So far I have built this process referencing the Microsoft Reporting Services dll's (Microsoft.ReportingServices.Modeling.dll for example), in order to retrieve the entity and attributes information from the Data Model.

** Does anyone know how I could create the RDL, using both the entity and attribute information contained in the Data Model in association with selected fields, filters, etc, that is contained in a database?

I can't find anything about this anywhere on the net; any help would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks,

Dan

There isn't an MS tool to automate this with RS 2005. To meet a similar requirement and speed up the implementation effort, we decided to develop an object wrapper on top of RDL which knows how to serialize itself to RDL using the .NET XmlSerializer. In comparison with the XML DOM alternative, we found this approach to work much better for us. You need to familiriaze yourself with the RDL specification beforehand.|||

Btw, more information about the RDL specification mentioned by Teo is available here: http://www.microsoft.com/sql/technologies/reporting/rdlspec.mspx

-- Robert

|||Well thank you very much for this information, I just wanted to make sure I was not missing out on existing functionality!

Creating RDL files at runtime

I created a CustomerReport.rdl from VS.NET. I previewed the report in
the SQLServer Report Manager and it shows the report. that is perfect.
Now what i did is, I opened the CustomerReport.rdl in Notedpad.
Obviously it shows me the XML format of the report design. I copied
all XML content of the report (Ctrl+A/paste) and copied into a new
notepad window and saved the new file as test.rdl.
Now when I open the test.rdl report from Report Manager, I see that
Iam asked to enter the SQLServer authentication (sa/password). Only
after I do the SQLServer authentication, Iam able to view the report
in the Report Manager. Why does it ask me so.
The thing is Iam playing with the rdl because I need to create reports
on the fly (at runtime) in my project requirement. Please share your
experiences if you've done something simialar.
thanks,
Anand SagarHello,
What kind of datasource are you using ? shared or private to the report ?
In Report Designer or Report Manager, connections to data sources are
managed by ReportDesigner or ReportingServices and credentials are stored
securily in Repository for ReportingServices. Credentials are not part of
RDL and you should not find then in Notepad. If you have a shared Datasource
you can configure it with ReportManager and reference it in your RDL, so you
will not have to authenticate again with Test.rdl
HTH
Jerome Berthaud (MCSD)
http://www.winsight.fr
"Anand Sagar" <anandsagar@.gmail.com> wrote in message
news:3f76a771.0408070018.29eb85ae@.posting.google.com...
> I created a CustomerReport.rdl from VS.NET. I previewed the report in
> the SQLServer Report Manager and it shows the report. that is perfect.
> Now what i did is, I opened the CustomerReport.rdl in Notedpad.
> Obviously it shows me the XML format of the report design. I copied
> all XML content of the report (Ctrl+A/paste) and copied into a new
> notepad window and saved the new file as test.rdl.
>
> Now when I open the test.rdl report from Report Manager, I see that
> Iam asked to enter the SQLServer authentication (sa/password). Only
> after I do the SQLServer authentication, Iam able to view the report
> in the Report Manager. Why does it ask me so.
>
> The thing is Iam playing with the rdl because I need to create reports
> on the fly (at runtime) in my project requirement. Please share your
> experiences if you've done something simialar.
> thanks,
> Anand Sagar|||Hi,
You can test it live on internet and change the parameter
ProductFamily=Food in ProductFamily=Food. Here you will find 4 ways to
start a MS Reporting Services Report as enduser:
http://128.171.208.112/ReportServer?%2fFoodmart+Sales&ProductFamily=Food
http://128.171.208.112/ReportServer?%2fFoodmart+Sales&rs%3aFormat=HTML4.0&ProductFamily=Food&rc%3aToolbar=True&rc%3aJavaScript=True&rc%3aLinkTarget=_top&rc%3aArea=Toolbar
http://128.171.208.112/ReportServer?%2fFoodmart+Sales&ProductFamily=Food&rs%3aFormat=HTML4.0&rc%3aToolbar=True&rc%3aJavaScript=True&rc%3aLinkTarget=_top&rc%3aArea=Report
Any other parameter can be used in an action from MS As 2000. For more
info: www.reportportal.com / www.gmsbv.nl
Regards,
Marco
www.gmsbv.nl - your partner for MS Analyses & Reporting Services in
Europe !
"Jerome BERTHAUD" <jerome.berthaud@.winsight.fr> wrote in message news:<uoKmx5IfEHA.3428@.TK2MSFTNGP11.phx.gbl>...
> Hello,
> What kind of datasource are you using ? shared or private to the report ?
> In Report Designer or Report Manager, connections to data sources are
> managed by ReportDesigner or ReportingServices and credentials are stored
> securily in Repository for ReportingServices. Credentials are not part of
> RDL and you should not find then in Notepad. If you have a shared Datasource
> you can configure it with ReportManager and reference it in your RDL, so you
> will not have to authenticate again with Test.rdl
> HTH
> Jerome Berthaud (MCSD)
> http://www.winsight.fr
>
> "Anand Sagar" <anandsagar@.gmail.com> wrote in message
> news:3f76a771.0408070018.29eb85ae@.posting.google.com...
> > I created a CustomerReport.rdl from VS.NET. I previewed the report in
> > the SQLServer Report Manager and it shows the report. that is perfect.
> >
> > Now what i did is, I opened the CustomerReport.rdl in Notedpad.
> > Obviously it shows me the XML format of the report design. I copied
> > all XML content of the report (Ctrl+A/paste) and copied into a new
> > notepad window and saved the new file as test.rdl.
> >
> >
> > Now when I open the test.rdl report from Report Manager, I see that
> > Iam asked to enter the SQLServer authentication (sa/password). Only
> > after I do the SQLServer authentication, Iam able to view the report
> > in the Report Manager. Why does it ask me so.
> >
> >
> > The thing is Iam playing with the rdl because I need to create reports
> > on the fly (at runtime) in my project requirement. Please share your
> > experiences if you've done something simialar.
> >
> > thanks,
> > Anand Sagar|||One additional comment to Jerome's posting: If you use the managed SQL
provider ("SQL") in the data source, you can use IntegratedSecurity for
testing purposes (and therefore no need for credentials):
<ConnectionProperties>
<DataProvider>SQL</DataProvider>
<IntegratedSecurity>true</IntegratedSecurity>
<ConnectString>data source=(local); ... </ConnectString>
</ConnectionProperties>
--
This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights.
"Jerome BERTHAUD" <jerome.berthaud@.winsight.fr> wrote in message
news:uoKmx5IfEHA.3428@.TK2MSFTNGP11.phx.gbl...
> Hello,
> What kind of datasource are you using ? shared or private to the report ?
> In Report Designer or Report Manager, connections to data sources are
> managed by ReportDesigner or ReportingServices and credentials are stored
> securily in Repository for ReportingServices. Credentials are not part of
> RDL and you should not find then in Notepad. If you have a shared
Datasource
> you can configure it with ReportManager and reference it in your RDL, so
you
> will not have to authenticate again with Test.rdl
> HTH
> Jerome Berthaud (MCSD)
> http://www.winsight.fr
>
> "Anand Sagar" <anandsagar@.gmail.com> wrote in message
> news:3f76a771.0408070018.29eb85ae@.posting.google.com...
> > I created a CustomerReport.rdl from VS.NET. I previewed the report in
> > the SQLServer Report Manager and it shows the report. that is perfect.
> >
> > Now what i did is, I opened the CustomerReport.rdl in Notedpad.
> > Obviously it shows me the XML format of the report design. I copied
> > all XML content of the report (Ctrl+A/paste) and copied into a new
> > notepad window and saved the new file as test.rdl.
> >
> >
> > Now when I open the test.rdl report from Report Manager, I see that
> > Iam asked to enter the SQLServer authentication (sa/password). Only
> > after I do the SQLServer authentication, Iam able to view the report
> > in the Report Manager. Why does it ask me so.
> >
> >
> > The thing is Iam playing with the rdl because I need to create reports
> > on the fly (at runtime) in my project requirement. Please share your
> > experiences if you've done something simialar.
> >
> > thanks,
> > Anand Sagar
>

Creating RDL Files - Software Requirements

I have a copy of SQL Server Express running, but am not sure how to create
reports. Does this require a full/regular copy of Visual Studio or is there
an 'express' (read:free) solution to create reports.
Thanks,
MatthewThere is another version called SQL Server 2005 Express Edition with
Advanced Services SP1 which comes with everything you need to develop
reports. Note that the data for your reports need to be local (in your SQL
Server Express database is what I believe that means).
Download here: http://msdn.microsoft.com/vstudio/express/sql/download/
--
Bruce Loehle-Conger
MVP SQL Server Reporting Services
"matthew gibson" <matthewgibson@.discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:9D74D31A-EFB3-492F-8D23-C2D9B51CEADD@.microsoft.com...
>I have a copy of SQL Server Express running, but am not sure how to create
> reports. Does this require a full/regular copy of Visual Studio or is
> there
> an 'express' (read:free) solution to create reports.
> Thanks,
> Matthew|||yes, I think. I have that. Here is a select @.@.version to clarify...
Microsoft SQL Server 2005 - 9.00.2047.00 (Intel X86)
Apr 14 2006 01:12:25
Copyright (c) 1988-2005 Microsoft Corporation
Express Edition with Advanced Services on Windows NT 5.2 (Build 3790:
Service Pack 1)
I have seen references to Business Intelligence Designer. I have the
virtual directory for reports. I can go out to it and there is an option to
upload RDL files; however, I am not sure what tool is necessary to create RDL
files. I know Visual Studio (for pay ones) can do it, but I don't know if
there is a free version. I don't see anything in the SQL MGMT tool or in the
Start Menu which allow me to create reports. I do see the Report SErver
configuration tool... and it shows it to be setup correctly.
Thanks!
Matthew
"Bruce L-C [MVP]" wrote:
> There is another version called SQL Server 2005 Express Edition with
> Advanced Services SP1 which comes with everything you need to develop
> reports. Note that the data for your reports need to be local (in your SQL
> Server Express database is what I believe that means).
> Download here: http://msdn.microsoft.com/vstudio/express/sql/download/
> --
> Bruce Loehle-Conger
> MVP SQL Server Reporting Services
> "matthew gibson" <matthewgibson@.discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
> news:9D74D31A-EFB3-492F-8D23-C2D9B51CEADD@.microsoft.com...
> >I have a copy of SQL Server Express running, but am not sure how to create
> > reports. Does this require a full/regular copy of Visual Studio or is
> > there
> > an 'express' (read:free) solution to create reports.
> > Thanks,
> > Matthew
>
>|||I don't know about the setup but it shouldn't be any difference. You need to
install the Business Intelligence tools. It will install a version of VS to
host the report designer. Run setup and see about a choice to install. Once
installed you should be have something in your program files called SQL
Server Business Intelligence Development Studio.
Bruce Loehle-Conger
MVP SQL Server Reporting Services
"matthew gibson" <matthewgibson@.discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:81305E18-ABEF-449E-AA63-76CEF9583387@.microsoft.com...
> yes, I think. I have that. Here is a select @.@.version to clarify...
> Microsoft SQL Server 2005 - 9.00.2047.00 (Intel X86)
> Apr 14 2006 01:12:25
> Copyright (c) 1988-2005 Microsoft Corporation
> Express Edition with Advanced Services on Windows NT 5.2 (Build 3790:
> Service Pack 1)
> I have seen references to Business Intelligence Designer. I have the
> virtual directory for reports. I can go out to it and there is an option
> to
> upload RDL files; however, I am not sure what tool is necessary to create
> RDL
> files. I know Visual Studio (for pay ones) can do it, but I don't know if
> there is a free version. I don't see anything in the SQL MGMT tool or in
> the
> Start Menu which allow me to create reports. I do see the Report SErver
> configuration tool... and it shows it to be setup correctly.
> Thanks!
> Matthew
>
> "Bruce L-C [MVP]" wrote:
>> There is another version called SQL Server 2005 Express Edition with
>> Advanced Services SP1 which comes with everything you need to develop
>> reports. Note that the data for your reports need to be local (in your
>> SQL
>> Server Express database is what I believe that means).
>> Download here: http://msdn.microsoft.com/vstudio/express/sql/download/
>> --
>> Bruce Loehle-Conger
>> MVP SQL Server Reporting Services
>> "matthew gibson" <matthewgibson@.discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in
>> message
>> news:9D74D31A-EFB3-492F-8D23-C2D9B51CEADD@.microsoft.com...
>> >I have a copy of SQL Server Express running, but am not sure how to
>> >create
>> > reports. Does this require a full/regular copy of Visual Studio or is
>> > there
>> > an 'express' (read:free) solution to create reports.
>> > Thanks,
>> > Matthew
>>

Creating datasource on server from *.rds file

Hello
I would like to create a datasource (using the rs.exe utility and the actual
*.rds file) in the same way reports (*.rdl) can be created, as described in
this link
http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/default.asp?url=/library/en-us/rsprog/htm/rsp_ref_soapapi_service_ak_9n79.asp. I
know you can create a datasource using CreateDataSource method, though I
want to be able to have the report files (*.rdl) in one folder and the
associated datasources (*.rds) in another and have the script automatically
pick up these files (GetFiles() etc.) and create them on the report server.
This will prevent the script from needing changing again...
I have also tried CreateResource, though that merely creates an rds file on
the server.
Does anyone know whether this is possible?
Thanks,
MarkYes, this is totally possible with the script host and the scripting
utility. You will have to set your reference to the shared data source for
your report after you upload the rdl files.
--
Bryan Keller
Developer Documentation
SQL Server Reporting Services
A friendly reminder that this posting is provided "AS IS" with no
warranties, and confers no rights.
"MCC" <cmc_za@.hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:uVGMNPUeEHA.2532@.TK2MSFTNGP09.phx.gbl...
> Hello
> I would like to create a datasource (using the rs.exe utility and the
actual
> *.rds file) in the same way reports (*.rdl) can be created, as described
in
> this link
>
http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/default.asp?url=/library/en-us/rsprog/htm/rsp_ref_soapapi_service_ak_9n79.asp. I
> know you can create a datasource using CreateDataSource method, though I
> want to be able to have the report files (*.rdl) in one folder and the
> associated datasources (*.rds) in another and have the script
automatically
> pick up these files (GetFiles() etc.) and create them on the report
server.
> This will prevent the script from needing changing again...
> I have also tried CreateResource, though that merely creates an rds file
on
> the server.
> Does anyone know whether this is possible?
> Thanks,
> Mark
>
>