SQL Server Chat: Reporting Services
June 7, 2004
Please note: Portions of this transcript have been edited for clarity
Introduction
Host: Stephen_D (Microsoft)
Welcome to today's SQL Server Chat: Reporting Services. I will ask the hosts to introduce themselves.
Host: SWynkoop (SSWUG)
Hi I'm Stephen Wynkoop, e-Editor with SSWUG.ORG and Microsoft SQL Server MVP.
Host: Lukasz (Microsoft)
Hi, I am Lukasz Pawlowski, Program Manager on the Reporting Services team. I am responsible for the server components of the product.
Host: Rajeev (Microsoft)
Hi, I am Rajeev Karunakaran, I am a program manager in the Reporting Services group.
Host: Brian (Microsoft)
I'm Brian Welcker, Group Program Manager for SQL Server Reporting Services. Hi, yall!
Host: Jason (Microsoft)
I'm Jason Carlson, Product Unit Manager for SQL Server reporting Services
Host: Robert (Microsoft)
Hi! I am Robert Bruckner, developer on the Reporting Services team.
Host: Albert (Microsoft)
Hi, I'm Albert Yen, Software Development Lead for Reporting Services.
Host: Stephen_D (Microsoft)
And... I am Stephen Dybing, SQL Server MVP Lead. Glad you all could make it today!The bottom window is where you can enter questions for our hosts today. We will read them and select questions to answer. The questions and answers will be posted in the upper window.
Fire away!
Start of Chat
Host: Jason (Microsoft)
Q: Is there a way using Web Services to create a document map similar to that displayed by the HTML Viewer? Document Ids do not appear to be in the returned HTML stream.
A: No. We will fix this in Yukon
Host: Brian (Microsoft)
Q: What's the best way to install Reporting Services if our web server and SQL server are on different machines?
A: This is supported natively in setup. You can install Reporting Services on any machine with IIS. Installing on another machine requires a second license of SQL Server.
Host: Brian (Microsoft)
Q: When is SP1 due out?
A: Very soon now. :) Goal is before the end of this month.
Host: Jason (Microsoft)
Q: Is there an upgrade path or utility to go from Crystal Reports to RS solutions?
A: MS does not provide one, there are 3rd party solutions
Host: Lukasz (Microsoft)
Q: Can anyone recommend a way of incorporating groups into Reporting Services when using the Forms-based authentication sample from Microsoft or know of any examples that might be out there that I have missed, or am I just completely missing something here. A: The grouping is should be done by your auth system. We don’t create/manage groups in report server itself.
Host: Bob (Microsoft)
Q: Is there an easy way to provide column sorting in HTML reports (preferably by clicking the column title)?
A: Easy, no. But you can create report parameters and use them in your sort expressions in the RDL to toggle sorting on various columns.
Host: Jason (Microsoft)
Q: What is the plan for more robust tools in support of developing reports running against Analysis Services cubes?
A: In Yukon we will include complete visual tools
Host: Lukasz (Microsoft)
Q: When will printing be available in the viewer
A: It is currently planned for SQL Server 2005.
Host: Brian (Microsoft)
Q: Are there any examples on setting up custom authentication besides the documentation on the MSDN site?
A: The APIs are documented in the Books Online update and the white paper http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/?url=/library/en-us/dnsql2k/html/ufairs.asp?frame=true#ufairs_topic3.
Host: Lukasz (Microsoft)
Q: So in order to install Reporting Services, we would need to install IIS on the SQL Server?
A: No. You can install reporting services configured to use a remote SQL Server database.
Host: Rajeev (Microsoft)
Q: anyway to write MDX in the RS?
A: The Yukon version of Reporting Services will have better integration with Analysis Services.
Host: Bruce (Microsoft)
Q: Are there any plans to get away from VS.net as the report development tool?
A: No. Report Designer will continue to be hosted in VS .NET.
Host: Jason (Microsoft)
Q: Is there a way to query one database, use the values from that query to query a second database and use the combined information to build a report? In other words, select a data item from a local database, then use that item to do a lookup against ... A: You can do something like this using subreports, but it will be slow. You can also us distributed query in SQL Server
Host: Susie (Microsoft)
Q: Are there any good case examples out there for data driven subscriptions?
A: Jess, you can check the Books Online for a good example in a walkthrough called "Creating a Data-driven Subscription."
Host: Lukasz (Microsoft)
Q: Reminder about the Web Archive export question...some of my users in my corp receive a blank page when exporting to Web Archive. How can I fix this?
A: We don’t know. We have seen this in isolated incidents but have not been able to have a produce consistent repro case.
Host: Rajeev (Microsoft)
Q: Will there be a "light weight" VS 2003 for RS only?
A: No, you will need to have Visual Studio or Visual Basic/C#/C++/J#.
Host: Jason (Microsoft)
Q: Do you know of any good menuing systems that have been developed as a front end to MSRS?
A: Many have been built, the most common solution is to write a custom one in VS.
Host: Lukasz (Microsoft)
Q: When I bring up http://localhost/ReportServer, I get the site in directory browsing mode instead of the nicely formatted view that I get in Report Manager. This used to work right-any ideas why it changed?
A: You’ll need to use <http://localhost/Reports>. The /reportserver virtual root shows a simple directory view. The /Reports virtual root lets you access our Report Manager view.
Host: Susie (Microsoft)
Q:. Can you install Report Server on an Application Center 2000 NLB CLuster?
A: Yes, you can use Appl. Center for your NLB. But be careful not to replicate our config files.
Host: Brian (Microsoft)
Q: What are some of the highlights for SP1?
A: Some of the highlights include:
Native Excel format rendering (Excel 2K compatible, 70-90% smaller)
More control over charts styles
Performance improvements, including PDF and matrix reports
Report Designer caches data between previews
Remote URLs supported for image
Host: Bruce (Microsoft)
Q: Any chance on a Crystal reports conversion utility?
A: One of our partners is developing such a utility. Please see our Partner home page at http://www.microsoft.com/sql/reporting
Host: Susie (Microsoft)
Q: Is there a recommended training material for RS?
A: Right now, there is no formal training. But the Books Online have some good tutorials (walk-throughs) and How-to's.
Host: Jason (Microsoft)
Q: Will the next version run faster?
A: Yes, we are trying to qualify for the 100M dash in the Olympics.
Host: Brian (Microsoft)
Q: When I try to shell out to the RSReportHost.exe, I get an "error while loading and setting security policy". How do you set the proper security policy?
A: I don't understand what you mean "shell out". Are you trying to launch this from your own application? If so, this is not really supported.
Host: Rajeev (Microsoft)
Q: Do you foresee the Report Designer being more of a drag-n-drop templates in Whidbey?
A: No, there are no plans to provide drag-n-drop templates in Whidbey.
Host: Lukasz (Microsoft)
Q: Re: Answer to grouping of user’s question: does that answer apply to forms based authentication, surely that is only for the default Windows based authentication. How do users map to groups using the Web Service? Cheers
A: Report server does not provide support for grouping users in and of itself. When using the default Windows security scheme you need to configure your groups either at the machine or at the domain level and then assign policies to them using the RS SetPolicies API. Report Server does not manage/provide interfaces for managing windows groups. Same thing applies if you’re using a custom security extension. The underlying security mechanism needs to provide support for groups and the ability to assign users to groups. Once this is done, it is possible for you to assign policies to these groups just as in the windows security case.
Host: Brian (Microsoft)
Q: If you have a complex process behind a report, and it hammers the server while running, is there a way (it would be cool for the future if not...) to throttle the RS process or even for a given report process?
A: No, but it is something we will consider for future versions.
Host: Susie (Microsoft)
Q: What about examples for RS Standard?
A: There isn't currently a walkthrough, but there is a How-to topic in the BOL (books online).
Host: Jason (Microsoft)
Q: Will the RS report generation from Analysis Services in Yukon, also allow creation of reports where the data source is not a cube (AKA use this as the report writer instead of VS.NET
A: RS currently support both cube and non cube reports. We definitely want RS to be used as a report writer instead of writing from scratch in VS.
Host: Bruce (Microsoft)
Q: Any comparison study done between COGNOS Report Net and RS?
A: I am not aware of any comparisons between COGNOS and Reporting Services.
Host: Lukasz (Microsoft)
Q: We have a third party job scheduling system. is possible to trigger a subscription with a web service? We donīt like to use the builtin scheduler.
A: Yes. The workaround is somewhat complex, but manageable. You need to create a shared schedule that never fires ( choose once and pick a time before the current time). This will give you a schedule id. Now, when you schedule/or subscribe to reports, have choose the shared schedule you created as the trigger. Finally, have your own scheduler submit the particular schedule id in the FireEvent API when it’s time to perform the action. You can repeat the process for as many schedules as you need.
Host: Brian (Microsoft)
Q: I want to show a page associated with a URL (e.g. localhost/mysite/mypage.html) within my report. Can I?
A: So you want to embed an HTML page inside your report? This is not currently supported.
Host: Jason (Microsoft)
Q: How will the release of RS effect Analysis Services. Is AS still needed?
A: RS is a report writing tool while AS is an OLAP engine. They meet very different needs, in fact using both together is a great solution for very fast easy to build reports.
Host: Susie (Microsoft)
Q: Do you have any recommendations on books for RS? What about MS Press?
A: Check http://www.microsoft.com/sql/reporting/techinfo/default.aspx for books and other resources.
Host: Jason (Microsoft)
Q: Will the new R.S. form based controls be included in this summer's Beta 2 release so we can check it out? ( thx )
A: No, the control will not be available until VS beta 2.
Host: Lukasz (Microsoft)
Q: I can execute the RSReportHost.exe program from the command line (shortcut) with the correct parameters and it will preview an RDL file. But when I try to shell out to the RSReportHost.exe from code (using System.Diagnostics.Process.Start) I get error
A: Sorry, don’t know off the top of our heads. If you post this question to the newsgroup with more details of what it is you’re trying to do, we might be able to diagnose your issue.
Host: Rajeev (Microsoft)
Q: Yes, I want to show a small web page inside a pane, display box, subreport, or whatever.
A: No, this is not supported.
Host: Jason (Microsoft)
Q: When will expressions in subreport names be supported to dynamically render a subreport?
A: There are no plans for this currently.
Host: Rajeev (Microsoft)
Q: How do I incorporate the use of a java applet into reporting services? I need to draw a signature based on x,y cords.
A: Reporting Services does not support Java applets.
Host: Susie (Microsoft)
Q: Is there any documentation on installing RS with App Center? Specifically, do you have to run rsactivate on each member? Will Reports Synch across the cluster?
A: No, there is no documentation for using RS with a specific NLB solution. Yes, you do need to run Rsactivate on each node. See the "Rsactivate Utility" topic in the BOL for more info. And check the deployment guide at http://www.microsoft.com/technet/prodtechnol/sql/2000/deploy/rsdepgd.mspx for more info about clustering.
Host: Lukasz (Microsoft)
Q: Is there a way to pass auth through a session variable (without Windows Auth)?
A: You need to use the LogonUser method when using a custom auth credential. This will get you a cookie that is used to maintain the user auth.
Host: Brian (Microsoft)
Q: Is it better to develop a custom .net Data Processing Extension or use stored procedures as data source for RS DataSets? All data resides in linked SQL servers. Please give a few reasons for selecting your choice method.
A: I don't understand why you would build an extension if you can do what you want through the standard SQL extension.
Host: Jason (Microsoft)
Q: Is the current plan to roll MSRS into SQL Server 2005, or will it remain an add-on, distinct product?
A: Yes, it will ship with SQL Server 2005
Host: Bruce (Microsoft)
Q: When deploying a project, I get the message "Cannot deploy report /SQL Projects/Test_Proj to the server because a data source named Test_Proj already exists. But I want to *replace* that data source. How can I?
A: You explicitly allow overwriting data sources. This can be done using report designer or the server. See BOL for more information.
Host: Albert (Microsoft)
Q: When deploying a project, I get the message "Cannot deploy report /SQL Projects/Test_Proj to the server because a data source named Test_Proj already exists. But I want to *replace* that data source. How can I?
A: In the properties for the report project set the OverwriteDataSources property to True.
Host: Brian (Microsoft)
Q: Why is there no render to MS Word? Any plans for one?
A: We have plans to eventually provide this functionality but not sure about timeframe.
Host: Jason (Microsoft)
Q: Thanks Jason - does that mean it will no longer be a separate product?
A: It will not ship separately; it was never a separate product from a licensing point of view.
Host: Lukasz (Microsoft)
Q: Is it possible to modify a query for a dataset at runtime?
A: Yes. The query can be an expression. So if you use an expression like: =”select * from tableFoo where column in (“ + Code.BuildList(@parameter1, @parameter2) + “)” you’ll get a dynamic query.
Host: Albert (Microsoft)
Q: I have already set OverwriteDataSources property to True, but I still can't overwrite the data source (see previous question). Any idea why not?
A: The error message you got seems to indicate that there is a data source with the same name as the report you are trying to deploy. If so, you need to delete the data source using Report manager.
Host: Jason (Microsoft)
Q: I may have missed it earlier, but when is SP1 or the next release due?
A: SP1 is planed for June 2004, the next release will be with SQL Server 2005.
Host: Jason (Microsoft)
Q: The service pack 1 that will be released in June will be in English only or will include all localized versions?
A: All languages
Host: Rajeev (Microsoft)
Q: Will there be any more enhancements with RS before it is released with SQL 2005 and any hints on 2005?
A: Yes, there will be enhancements, but the exact list of enhancements has not been announced. We have however announced WinForms and WebForms Report controls.
Host: Brian (Microsoft)
Q: Follow-up: Is there anything to be gained by using a custom extension? I have recommended using stored procs / standard SQL extension... I want to make sure there is nothing to be gained with a custom .net data provider.
A: The difference is where the code runs. In a SP, it runs in SQL Server. In a data extension, it runs inside the Report Server.
Host: Lukasz (Microsoft)
Q: Is it possible to modify a query for a dataset at runtime?
A: Oops, syntax was wrong. This will work better: Yes. The query can be an expression. So if you use an expression like: =”select * from tableFoo where column in (“ + Code.BuildList(Parameters!Parameter1.Value, Parameters!Parameter2.Value) + “)” you’ll get a dynamic query.
Host: Bruce (Microsoft)
Q: What is the long term plan for RS? Am I safe to begin developing reports with the peace of mind that they will be supported?
A: Any potential modifications to the RDL grammar will be backwardly compatible. So yes you are safe, in fact encouraged, to start writing reports using reporting services.
Host: SWynkoop (SSWUG)
Q: Matt: What are some highlights expected for SP1?
A: Answered above from Brian_MS:Native Excel format rendering (Excel 2K compatible, 70-90% smaller)
More control over charts styles
A: Performance improvements, including PDF and matrix reports
Report Designer caches data between previews
Remote URLs
Host: Lukasz (Microsoft)
Q: I have a RS report with a document map. When exporting to a PDF the bookmarks only appear at the top level. Any clues as to why?
A: We don’t know. If you post your question to the newsgroup with more information, we might be able to diagnose the issue. Especially useful would be a repro on the AdventureWorks/Northwind databases.
Host: Jason (Microsoft)
Q: Is there a way to modify the report fields at runtime, (IE. can you add an additional field when and modify where it gets its data from)
A: No, but 3rd parties have written thin design tools that allow this.
Host: Albert (Microsoft)
Q: Thanks, but ... that makes the OverwriteDataSources property seem silly, if it doesn't actually allow you to overwrite data sources! Maybe I'm missing something here, but I will do as you suggest and delete the data source using ReptMgr/Thx!
A: The OverwriteDataSources property will only let you overwrite a data source with another data source. In general, deployment will not let you replace an object with a different type of object.
Host: Jason (Microsoft)
Q: You mentioned earlier that in Yukon there will be a new report writer added into Analysis Services. Will you be able to use this new Analysis Services feature to write reports connected to other data sources?
A: Yes
Host: Bruce (Microsoft)
Q: Is there a chart type that can draw a series of line segments x1,y1 to x2,y2 followed by x2,y2 to x3,y3, etc.
A: I think what you are looking for is a line chart that uses multiple series groups.
Host: Robert (Microsoft)
Q: Is there a chart type that can draw a series of line segments x1,y1 to x2,y2 followed by x2,y2 to x3,y3, etc.
A: You might look into scatter line charts and make sure you are using a numeric X-axis. In SP1 you can also control the color (visibility) of every single line segment.
Host: Lukasz (Microsoft)
Q: Other than WebPart to contain an RS report, is there any additional integration planed with Share Point?
A: No firm commitment at this time. If we have additional resources we might get some more end user features done.
Host: Susie (Microsoft)
Q: I try to setup a subscription but get the following error..subscriptions cannot be created because credentials used to run report are not stored, the report is using user defined parameter values. How do I resolve?
A: Subscription requirement: you have to go into the report's credentials settings and set it to store the credentials in the report. See the How-to topic in BOL for setting credentials.
Host: Jason (Microsoft)
Q: Will rs be incorporated with other Microsoft apps i.e. Solomon?
A: RS is being incorporated into many MS products. We can not speak specifically about other product plan and dates.
Host: Rajeev (Microsoft)
Q: You caught my interest. Is any additional information available on the Webforms report control?
A: The webforms control will be able to connect to a report server but will also be able to process and render reports locally without connection to a report server.
Host: Brian (Microsoft)
Q: When will the newly aquired ActiveViews get included with R.S.? Is that planned for SQL 2005 or earlier?
A: Some part of the ActiveViews technology will be incorporated into SQL 2005. Specifics to be described later.
Host: Bruce (Microsoft)
Q: Some users are experiencing difficulty printing reports intended for landscape because they are not changing their page setup. Is there any plans to accommodate this scenario?
A: Enhancing this portion of the UI is currently under consideration.
Host: Jason (Microsoft)
Q: Are there any plans to incorporate a data field into the report header?
A: Yes, this may be supported in SQL Server 2005, no guarantees.
Host: Lukasz (Microsoft)
Q: Will a future release support printing a report with a web services call?
A: Yes. We’re planning on supporting printer as a delivery extension.
Host: Brian (Microsoft)
Q: Are there any other methods to authenticate a user not using Windows Authentication or Forms Authentication (white paper from MSDN)?
A: With custom authentication, you can use any method you want to authenticate. Forms is just an example of one way. Replace the forms-based code in the sample with your own code.
Host: Lukasz (Microsoft)
Q: What is the LogonUser method's signature?
A: It is described in detail here: http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/default.asp?url=/library/en-us/rsprog/htm/rsp_ref_soapapi_service_lz_3d7q.asp
Host: Jason (Microsoft)
Q: Is there an estimate on how many people have got Reporting Services since it was released in Jan?
A: No we do not track RS separately from SQL Server?
Host: Jason (Microsoft)
Q: Is there an estimate on how many people have got Reporting Services since it was released in Jan?
A: We have had over 80K downloads of the Evaluation Edition.
Host: Brian (Microsoft)
Q: I have a matrix with a column retrieved from the db. If the detail is null, the heading is blank. Anyway around this besides forcing values from the stored proc?
A: Have you tried the IsNothing() function? You can replace the null with whatever you want.
Host: Brian (Microsoft)
Q: Correct landscape reports would help us the most.
A: Landscape is possible today (make page width > page height or deviceinfo) but it will be easier in Yukon.
Host: Rajeev (Microsoft)
Q: Will a future release support some sort of RTF text field for nicer text formatting?
A: This is on our wishlist for Yukon. No decision has been made.
Host: Brian (Microsoft)
Q: A three tier control that provides the functionality of the HTML viewer without the need to directly access Reporting services.
A: This is exactly what the ASP.NET Viewer control will provide
Host: Bruce (Microsoft)
Q: As mentioned earlier, there is going to be a Report Writer from within Analysis Services in Yukon for RS. Is there also going to be an add in report writer at the Enterprise Manager level?
A: Report Authoring is on supported in VS .NET. The AS query designer is part of the Report Designer.
Host: Brian (Microsoft)
Q: What ASP.NET viewer control?
A: Visual Studio 2005 / SQL Server 2005 will include WinForms and WebForms controls that make it easy to embed reports in your apps. Both will support local and server-based modes.
Host: Brian (Microsoft)
Q: Will the next version allow adding custom controls to the Toolbox for adding to a Report?
A: SQL Server 2005 will enable you to build custom report items (server controls) for embedding in your reports.
Host: Bruce (Microsoft)
Q: Is there a way to hide (without showing the show arrow graphics) the RS headers containing the parameters and site title through a querystring parameter or config setting?
A: No.
Host: Brian (Microsoft)
Q: How much effort we should be planning to make when upgrading to the RS bits in SS2005.
A: Everything in the SQL2K version should continue to work. But you will want to take advantage of the new stuff!
Host: Stephen_D (Microsoft)
Thanks for joining us today! You've asked some great questions.
Host: Brian (Microsoft)
Thanks for attending!
Host: Rajeev (Microsoft)
Thank you for joining us!
Host: SWynkoop (SSWUG)
Thanks everyone - we'll get the transcripts posted to www.sswug.org as soon as possible (and put a note in the newsletter of course).
Host: Susie (Microsoft)
Thanks everyone. Have a great day!
Host: Jason (Microsoft)
Thank you for your interest and time today. Your feedback is appreciated.
Host: Bruce (Microsoft)
Thanks for the questions. Check out the microsoft.public.sqlserver.reportingsvcs news group.
Host: Bob (Microsoft)
Thanks for your participation!
