Overview
In this 2-day course, students are introduced to the foundations of business intelligence (BI) report writing with SQL Server Data Tools (SSDT) Report Designer and SSRS. The focus will be on report writing by connecting to a database and manipulating the data for presentation including: creating table and matrix reports, formatting reports, grouping report data, creating simple and complex expressions, displaying aggregated data, sorting and filtering data, charting data, and preparing reports for printing and exporting. Report Designer is available for all supported versions of Microsoft SQL Server.
Objectives
At the end of this course, students will be able to:
- Navigate the Report Designer environment.
- Create table reports.
- Format reports.
- Create simple and complex expressions
- Group report data
- Create matrix reports.
- Sort and filter report data.
- Summarize data with charts.
- Print and export reports.
Topics
- The Report Designer environment
- Adding Data to Table Reports
- Formatting Data and Creating Expressions in Reports
- Grouping Report Data
- Matrix Reports
- Charts
- Printing and Exporting Reports
Prerequisites
- Prior to taking this course, students should have the following skills:
- Familiarity with Windows.
- Creating and navigating folders.
- Opening programs.
- Manipulating windows.
- Copying and pasting objects.
- Formatting text.
- Saving files.
- Microsoft Office Access 2013: Level 1 or have equivalent experience with basic database concepts.
Audience
The primary audience for this course is persons who are new to reporting with SQL Server Data Tools Report Designer and SSRS, persons who are transitioning from another reporting software application, and persons who are existing Report Designer and SSRS report authors.
The secondary audience for this course is persons who are using Report Builder.
Course participants may be business analysts, programmer analysts, data analysts, database administrators, or IT professionals and may or may not have experience with Microsoft SQL Server Report Designer and SSRS, programming (Visual Basic), and/or Transact-Structured Query Language (T-SQL) experience.
Course duration
2 Days
Course outline
Module 1: Exploring the Report Designer environment
This module introduces the Report Designer application and its features. You will explore the Menu bar, the Toolbox, and the available Window panes for creating and manipulating reports, and the report design surface using Design and Preview modes.
Lessons:
- SQL Server Reporting Services
- The Report Designer Environment
- Working with Existing Reports
Lab: Exploring the Report Designer Application
- Navigating the Menu bar, Toolbars, Window panes, and the Toolbox
- View Existing Reports in Design and Preview modes
After completing this module, students will be able to:
- Describe the purpose of SQL Server Reporting Services.
- Describe and navigate the graphical elements of the Report Designer application.
- Work with existing reports and navigate between Design and Preview modes.
Module 2: Adding Data to Table Reports
This module introduces report writers to populating a report with data and displaying the data in a table data region on the report. We will begin with defining the data source and continue with query building through data sets to bring data into the report. Next, we will explore the elements of the Tablix including rows, columns, cells, handles, and field choosers.
Lessons:
- Create Data Sources
- Create Datasets
- Create Table Reports
Lab: Creating Table Reports
- Create Queries Using the Report Designer Query Designer
- Create a Table Report using a Single Table
- Create Table Relationships using Query Designer
- Create a Table Report using Multiple Tables
After completing this module, students will be able to:
- Create report data sources.
- Create report datasets.
- Work with the Tablix data region.
- Create a table report.
Module 3: Formatting Data and Creating Expressions in Reports
This module introduces report formatting techniques which allow a report writer to control how and where data displays in the report. Additional data may also be required and this can be accomplished by adding data from a source or adding a calculated field to the dataset. Simple and complex expressions will also be introduced in this topic.
Lessons:
- Format Tablix Columns
- Sorting and Filtering Report Data
- Adding Data to a Dataset
- Creating Simple and Complex Expressions
Lab: Formatting Reports
- Format Tablix Columns
- Format Data in a Tablix Cell using Properties
- Format Data in a Tablix Cell using Simple and Complex Expressions
- Sorting Data using Expressions
- Use Simple and Complex Expressions to Display Data in a Tablix
After completing this module, students will be able to:
- Format data in a report using the Report Designer Properties dialog boxes.
- Add data to a report and make changes to column names in the dataset query.
- Format data in a report using simple and complex expressions.
- Display data in a report using simple and complex expressions.
Module 4: Grouping Report Data
This module introduces data groupings in reports using dataset fields and expressions. This module also discusses group hierarchies and adding aggregates to summarize grouped data.
Lessons:
- Group Data in Reports
- Group Data Using an Expression
- Creating a Grouping Hierarchy and using Group Aggregates
Lab: Creating Reports with Groups and Aggregates
- Display Grouped Data in a Report
- Create a Group Hierarchy in a Report
- Group Data using a Complex Expression
- Add Aggregates to Tablix Rows
After completing this module, students will be able to:
- Group data in reports using fields.
- Group data in reports using expressions.
- Create group hierarchies.
- Aggregate grouped data in a report.
Module 5: Matrix Reports
This module introduces matrix data regions which are used in reports to control how cross tabular data can be used. While table reports rely on rows and columns, matrix reports rely on row groupings, column groupings, and aggregated values.
Lessons:
- Create and Modify Matrix Data Regions
- Create and Modify Column Groups
Lab: Creating Matrix Reports
- Create Matrix Reports
- Create Column Groups
- Use Expressions to Sort Group Data
- Use Expressions to Display Group Names
- Create Matrix Reports with Grouping Hierarchies
After completing this module, students will be able to:
- Describe the key features of using a matrix in a report.
- Create and modify matrix reports.
- Define column group hierarchies.
- Use expressions to define matrix headings and sort orders.
Module 6: Charts
This module introduces charting and the ability to create and add charts to reports. Chart reports allow us to visualize data with or without the details.
Lessons:
- Create Charts in Reports
- Modify Charts in Reports
Lab: Creating Charts and Chart Reports
- Create a Chart Report
- Add a Chart to an Existing Report
- Format Chart Elements
- Use Expressions in Charts
After completing this module, students will be able to:
- Describe the key features of charts.
- Create charts.
- Modify chart data and the format of chart elements.
- Use expressions in charts.
Module 7: Printing and Exporting Reports
This module introduces report printing and exporting. Reports can be created for electronic display, paper display, or display in another application. This module covers the basics of those three scenarios.
Lessons:
- Print Features and Print Options
- Export Reports
Lab: Printing and Exporting Reports
- Explore Page Layout View, Report Formatting, and Page Setup Options
- Export Reports
After completing this module, students will be able to:
- Describe the key features of electronic reporting vs. print reporting.
- Prepare a report for paper printing.
- Export reports in supported formats.
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