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SQL ERROR : Unable to Uninstall – Index was Outside the Bounds of the Array

SQL ERROR : Unable to Uninstall – Index was Outside the Bounds of the Array

YOU WILL GET THE ABOVE ERROR AT TIMES WHEN TRYING TO UNINSTALL SQL
RESOLUTION :

IN COMMAND PROMPT TYPE THE BELOW
C:\Program Files\Microsoft SQL Server\140\Setup Bootstrap\SQL2017
FOR THE ABOVE PATH

SETUP.EXE /ACTION=UNINTSALL.

NOW SELECT THE CONFIGURATION AND PROBLEM SOLVED.

THANKS

How to Shrink All Log Files for SQL Server? – Script to shrink all log files

HOW TO SHRINK ALL  LOG FILES FOR SQL SERVER? – SCRIPT TO SHRINK ALL LOG FILES

DECLARE @Script VARCHAR(MAX);

SET @Script = '';

SELECT

@Script = @Script +

'USE ['+ d.name +']; CHECKPOINT; DBCC SHRINKFILE ('+f.name+');'

FROM sys.master_files f

INNER JOIN sys.databases d ON d.database_id = f.database_id

WHERE f.type = 1 AND d.database_id > 4

-- AND d.name = 'SpecificDabasename'-- in case you want particular db log files to be shrinked

SELECT @Script Script

EXEC (@Script )




Execute it in masters database.

thanks,













SQL ERROR :Msg 15281 – SQL Server Blocked Access to STATEMENT ‘OpenRowset/OpenDatasource’ of Component Ad Hoc Distributed Queries

SQL ERROR :Msg 15281 – SQL Server Blocked Access to STATEMENT ‘OpenRowset/OpenDatasource’ of Component Ad Hoc Distributed Queries

Solution /Resolution :
you will have to wirte a t-sql query to allow access as below sample




EXEC sp_configure 'show advanced options', 1

RECONFIGURE WITH OVERRIDE

GO

EXEC sp_configure 'ad hoc distributed queries', 1

RECONFIGURE WITH OVERRIDE

GO

Thanks.

SSRS INTERVIEW QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS : SSRS BASICS TO ADVANCED QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

SSRS INTERVIEW QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS : ALL BASIC QUESTIONS ON SQL SERVER INTEGRATION SERVICES 

SSRS  Interview questions with Answers

SSRS BASIC TO ADVANCED Questions AND ANSWERS

 1). What is SSRS (Sql Server Reporting Services) ?

Reporting Services is a server-based reporting platform that provides comprehensive reporting functionality for a variety of data sources.Which allow you to create tabular, matrix, rectangle, sub-report,,charts, Gauge, indicator reports in managed environment. Like

a) Development Tool

b) Configuration Tool

c) Administration Tool

d) Report Viewing Tool

2) What is report Manager?

Report Manager is a Web-based report access and management tool that you use to administer a single report server instance from a remote location over an HTTP connection. You can also use Report Manager for its report viewer and navigation features. You can use Report Manager to perform the following tasks:

· View, search, print, and subscribe to reports.

· Create, secure, and maintain the folder hierarchy to organize items on the server.

· Configure role-based security that determines access to items and operations.

· Configure report execution properties, report history, and report parameters.

· Create report models that connect to and retrieve data from a Microsoft SQL Server Analysis Services data source or from a SQL Server relational data source.

· Set model item security to allow access to specific entities in the model, or map entities to predefined click through reports that you create in advance.

· Create shared schedules and shared data sources to make schedules and data source connections more manageable.

· Create data-driven subscriptions that roll out reports to a large recipient list.

· Create linked reports to reuse and repurpose an existing report in different ways.

· Launch Report Builder to create reports that you can save and run on the report server.

3) Different Types of Roles provided by SSRS ?Ans:

    

1) Browsers

2) Content Manager

3) My Reports

4) Publishers

5) Report Builder

4) Describe the different processing mode by SSRS ?Ans: Two types:

1.             Local Processing Mode :- Process Reports In The Client Machine.

2.             Remote Processing Mode :- Render Server Report That Are Processed On SSRS Report Server.

5) Name the few command utilities in SSRS 2008 ?

Ans: 

1.             RSConfig.exe- Configuration of connection properties between report server to repository database.

2.             RSkeyMgmt.exe- Management of encryption key via cmd line

3.             RS.exe- Scripting of Report deployment

6) Name the few Endpoints exposed by SSRS 2008 ?

Ans: 

1.             Management Endpoint

2.             Execution Endpoint

3.             SharePoint Proxy Endpoint

7) What is the role of encryption key in report server configuration Manager?

Ans: To encrypt the credentials, connection string can be taken backup and restore when required from configuration manager.

8) Explain Reporting Lifecycle ? 

Ans: 

1.             Report Designing- It is done in V.S Report Designer.

2.             Report Processing- Bringing the report definition with data from the report datasource. It performs all grouping, sorting & filtering calculation.

3.             Report Rendering- Report rendering start by passing the report instance to a specific rendering extension (HTML or pdf  formats) As a final step, the report is rendered to a specific output document.

9) Ways to Tune Reporting Services?

Ans:

1.             Expand the server or utilizing the report service of the another database.

2.             Replication of data continuously: - Using no-lock, the issue of locking can will be resolved and the performance of the query can be improved. This can be done by using dirty read at the time of duplicating the data is unavailable.

10) What is the extension of SSRS reports?

Ans:

 rdl(RDL stands for Report Definition language). This is an XML file which stores query information, data source information, etc. which are required to generate report.

11) Explain the Architecture of SSRS ?

Ans: 

It is a multi tired, included with application , server, data layers. This  Architecture is scalable and modular. A single installation can be used accross multiple computers .

It include following components -

1) Report Manager

2) Report Designer

3) browsers type supported by Reporting Services

4) Report Server

5) Report Server and Command line utilities

6) Report Server Database

7) Data Sources

SSRS is an optional package which you can select to install while installing SQL Server. SSRS in turn is made up of number of components.

when you install SSRS it creates Report Server Databases in your SQL Server Instance. These databases are ReportServerDB and ReportServerTempDB which are used to store report configurations and other things including Caching, Session, etc. that improvise the overall performance. You have an option of installing other components like Report Manager and Report Server on the same machine where SQL Server instance is running or you can install them on a different server (typical enterprise setup). An important thing to note here is if you opt for latter you would end up paying for 2 or more SQL Server licenses.

As it turns out there are 3 distinguish components of SQL Server Reporting Services:

1) Report Server: It’s an overloaded term. Largely used to indicate a set of components that allow interaction with Report Server database. SSRS provides Web Services (.asmx) which allows LOB applications to interact with Report Server database directly (http://computername/ReportServer/reportservicexxxx.asmx where xxxx is version of SSRS). SSRS 2005 created virtual directories for Report Server & Report Manager (discussed next), but SSRS 2008 leverages the OS level HTTP listener making SSRS independent of IIS. This allows bundling of Report Server & Report Manager within a windows Service ReportingServicesService.exe. The name of this Windows Service is ReportServer. ReportingServicesService.exe functionality also includes report processing, scheduling (auto generated reports), subscriptions (mailers), etc.

2) Report Manager: An ASP.NET web based application (http://computername/Reports) that in turn interacts with Report Server Web Services. As the name indicates Report Manager allows you to manage reports in terms configuring security access, organizing them into folders (non of these folders map to physical directories but are stored as details in Report Server Database), subscribing to them, etc. One can also create reports (see next point as to how) and deploy them to Report Server Database using Report Manager. This is handy for some restricted user / production scenarios, though most developers prefer to do the deploy reports from BI studio. As discussed earlier with SSRS 2008 this component is bundled with ReportServer windows service.

3) Report Designer: There would be few guys in your team whom you may want to designate as Report Designers. Report Designers can design reports using VS.NET Business Intelligence projects (Report Server Project). Report Designers create data sources (normally a shared data source (.rds) that’s used across a set of reports), create the dataset (using queries / stored procedures on top of data source), define relevant report parameters (mapped to datasets for value retrieval via Report data window), field formats (using properties window with pervasive VB expressions – e.g. formatting a textbox to display currency decimals) and create layouts (e.g. Grouping). Once they are done with designing their reports (.rdl files – described later) they can test (preview) them and publish them via Report Server (this is done by providing the Report Server URL in project properties and SSRS there creates a specific folder for your project). Once published these reports are available for end user consumption. Advance scenarios like interacting with Excel may require a third party product like OfficeWriter.

There are few other important aspects of SSRS which one should be familiar with.

Report Builder is a another tool which is targeted at business users who want to generate custom reports on fly. Report Builder is a ClickOnce application, intuitive and easy to use but doesn’t support all the options available with VS.NET. It’s also possible to install ReportBuilder as a standalone application.

Report Model is the base for report creation with Report Builder. It’s a simplified view of relational database targeted at business users for ad hoc report creation. Report models are created using BI Development Studio (Report Model Project – .smdl files). A report model is built on top of a Data Source View (.dsv) that defines a logical model based on one or more data sources. Models generated mainly consist of entities (relational tables), fields (attributes of a relational table) and roles (entity relationships – 1-1, 1-*, *-1). Models also contain other attributes like aggregate values that would help ease the reporting for end users. Post creation report model has to be deployed in similar way as reports. You can also use Report Model as a data source for generating reports via Report Designer. While it’s easy to deploy Report model from BI development studio, to deploy report model manually e.g. in production requires you to merge the .smdl and .dsv files.

RDL – this is another term you would run into while talking about SSRS. RDL stands for Report Definition language. This is an XML file which stores query information, data source information, etc. which are required to generate report. There is another type of report definition – RDLC (Report Definition Language Client-side) which don’t store any of above configurations. RDLC is a client side component (VS.NET Application Projects) to which you can pass data (e.g. via DataSet) coming from any of data sources. RDLC can be useful for scenarios like implementing custom pagination (SSRS 2005 pagination by default is client side pagination).

SSRS Security is primarily windows based. When a user accesses the Report Manager Application or ASMX Web Services he has to authenticate with a valid domain username / password. On successful login SSRS determines the role of the user (custom or built-in ones like Browser / Content Manager, etc.) and displays only those reports / folders to which user has access. 

Drill Down Report- Means navigate the summary level to detail level in the same report.

Drill Through Report- Navigation from one report to another report.

Linked Report- It is a report server item that provides an access point to an existing report.Conceptually it is similar to a program shortcut that you can use to run a program or open file.

Q1. WHAT is SQL Server Reporting Services(SSRS)?

SQL Server Reporting Services is a server-based reporting platform that you can use to create and manage tabular, matrix, graphical, and free-form reports that contain data from relational and multidimensional data sources. The reports that you create can be viewed and managed over a World Wide Web-based connection

Q2. Architecture of SSRS:

 -Admin 

Q3. What are the three stages of Enterprise Reporting Life Cycle ?

a. Authoring

b. Management

c. Access and Delivery

Q4. What are the components included in SSRS?

1. A Complete set of Tools that can be used to create, manage and view reports

2. A Report Server component that hosts and processes reports in a variety of formats. Output formats include HTML, PDF, TIFF, Excel, CSV, and more.

3.An API that allows developers to integrate or extend data and report processing in custom applications, or create custom tools to build and manage reports.

Q5. What is the benefit of using embedded code in a report?

1. Reuseability of Code: function created in embedded code to perform a logic can be then used in multiple expressions

2. Centralized code: helps in better manageability of code.

Q6. Which programming language can be used to code embedded functions in SSRS?

Visual Basic .NET Code.

Q7. Important terms used in the reporting services? 

1. Report definition:  The blueprint for a report before the report is processed or rendered. A report definition contains information about the query and layout for the report.

2. Report snapshot: A report that contains data captured at a specific point in time. A report snapshot is actually a report definition that contains a dataset instead of query instructions.

3. Rendered report: A fully processed report that contains both data and layout information, in a format suitable for viewing (such as HTML).

4. Parameterized report: A published report that accepts input values through parameters.

5. Shared data source: A predefined, standalone item that contains data source connection information.

6. Shared schedule: A predefined, standalone item that contains schedule information.

7. Report-specific data source: Data source information that is defined within a report definition.

8. Report model: A semantic description of business data, used for ac hoc reports created in Report Builder.

9. Linked report: A report that derives its definition through a link to another report.

10. Report server administrator: This term is used in the documentation to describe a user with elevated privileges who can access all settings and content of a report server. If you are using the default roles, a report server administrator is typically a user who is assigned to both the Content Manager role and the System Administrator role. Local administrators can have elevated permission even if role assignments are not defined for them.

11. Folder hierarchy: A bounded namespace that uniquely identifies all reports, folders, report models, shared data source items, and resources that are stored in and managed by a report server.

12. Report Server: Describes the Report Server component, which provides data and report processing, and report delivery. The Report Server component includes several subcomponents that perform specific functions. 

13. Report Manager: Describes the Web application tool used to access and manage the contents of a report server database.

14. Report Builder: Report authoring tool used to create ad hoc reports.

15. Report Designer: Report creation tool included with Reporting Services.

16. Model Designer: Report model creation tool used to build models for ad hoc reporting.

17. Report Server Command Prompt Utilities: Command line utilities that you can use to administer a report server.

a) RsConfig.exe, b) RsKeymgmt.exe, c) Rs.exe

Q8. what are the Command Line Utilities available In Reporting Services?

· Rsconfig Utility (Rsconfig.exe): encrypts and stores connection and account values in the RSReportServer.config file. Encrypted values include report server database connection information and account values used for unattended report processing

· RsKeymgmt Utility: Extracts, restores, creates, and deletes the symmetric key used to protect sensitive report server data against unauthorized access

· RS Utility: this utility is mainly used to automate report server deployment and administration tasks.Processes script you provide in an input file.

  

Q. How to know Report Execution History?

ExecutionLog table in ReportServer database store all the logs from last two months. 

 SELECT * FROM ReportServer.dbo.ExecutionLog

-Development

Q. What is difference between Tablular and Matrix report?

OR What are the different styles of reports?

Tablular report: A tabular report is the most basic type of report. Each column corresponds to a column selected from the database.

Matrix report: A matrix (cross-product) report is a cross-tabulation of four groups of data:

    a. One group of data is displayed across the page.

    b. One group of data is displayed down the page.

    c. One group of data is the cross-product, which determines all possible locations where the across and down data relate and places a cell in those locations.

    d. One group of data is displayed as the "filler" of the cells.

Martix reports can be considered more of a  Pivot table.

Q. How to create Drill-through reports?

Using Navigation property of a cell and setting child report and its parameters in it.

Q. How to create Drill-Down reports?

To cut the story short:  

- By grouping data on required fields

-Then toggle visibility based on the grouped filed 

Question: How do you normally create reports (wizard/manually)?

Comment: If wizard in most cases then you got rather inexperienced person, if manually than it is usually good answer. The best answer is using a template. Generally developers create reports from scratch which is not bad but it is not very efficient either. 

Question: What languages have you used to query data for SSRS Reports?

Comment: Most answers will probably be SQL (TSQL). But T-SQL is not the only query language. If someone build reports based on cubes before than they will say MDX. You can also query data from other sources (not recommended) or use data mining expressions (DMX = advanced). 

Question: Gives examples where you used parameters?

Comment: Typically you use parameters to filter data in datasets (or data on reports) but you can also use them to restrict values like the well-known make->model->year example. You can also have hidden and internal parameters which get very handy for more advanced stuff. 

Question: What types of graphs do you normally use and what effects do you apply to them?

Comment: Good graph are bar, line, scatter, bullet graphs. Bad graphs are pie charts, area graphs, gauges (apart from bullet graph which classified as gauge in SSRS). Effects should be limited to minimum. Developers should avoid 3D effects, "glass" effect, shadows etc

1 :: What can SQL Server Reporting Services do?

SQL Server Reporting Service is one of the server-based software systems that generate reports developed by Microsoft. It is used for preparing and delivering interactive and variety of printed reports. It is administered through an interface that is web based. Reporting services utilizes a web service interface for supporting and developing of customized reporting applicatons. It can be competed with Crystal Reports and other business intelligent tools.

2 :: Explain the architecture of reporting services?

Reporting services architecture is comprises of integrated components. It is multi-tiered, included with application, server and data layers. This architecture is scalable and modular. A single installation can be used across multiple computers. It includes the following components:

- Report Manager, Reporting Designer, Browser Types Supported by Reporting services, Report server, Report server command line utilities, Report Server Database, Reporting Services Extensibility, Data sources that is supported by Reporting Services.

3 :: Describe Reporting Lifecycle?

The Reporting Lifecycle includes

- Report designing – The designing is done in Visual Studio Report Designer. It generates a class which embodies the Report Definition.

- Report processing – The processing includes binging the report definition with data from the report data source. It performs on all grouping, sorting and filtering calculations. The expressions are evaluated except the page header, footer and section items. Later it fires the Binding event and Bound event. As a result of the processing, it produces Report Instance. Report instance may be persisted and stored which can be rendered at a later point of time.

- Report Rendering: Report rendering starts by passing the Report Instance to a specific rendering extension (HTML or PDF formats). The instance of reports is paged if paging supported by output format. The expressions of items are evaluated in the page header and footer sections for every page. As a final step, the report is rendered to the specific output document.

4 :: What are the ways to tune Reporting Services?

To tune-up the Reporting Services, follow the below mentioned ways:

- Expand the Server or utilizing the reporting services of another database server. For better embedding of report contents, report application’s logic and characteristics can have a duplicate copy of data.

- Replication of data continuously. Using nolock, the issues of locking can well be resolved and the performance of the query can be improved. This can be done by using dirty read at the time of duplicating the data is unavailable.

5 :: How to schedule SSAS Database backup.

SQL Server Management Studio is used for taking backup of SQL Server Analysis Services database. SSAS backup option can not perform the SSAS database backup operation. To perform this task, create SQL Server Agent Job and schedule that job as per custom requirement. The following is the process:

► Right click the job folder of the SQL Agent node in SSMS.

► Select the option New job

► Specify the Job name for identification purpose.

► Go to Steps Page and click the New button.

► Select SQL Server Analysis Services command as the type of job after entering the name of the step and enter the server name.

► Enter the following command.

AdventureWorksDW.abf 

true 

password

► Click on OK

► Goto the Schedule page for creating schedule as per the requirements.

SSRS - SQL Server Reporting Services

Q: What is SSRS?
SQL Server Reporting Service is one of the server-based software systems that generate reports developed by Microsoft. It is used for preparing and delivering interactive and variety of printed reports. It is administered through an interface that is web based. Reporting services utilizes a web service interface for supporting and developing of customized reporting applicatons. It can be competed with Crystal Reports and other business intelligent tools.

Q: Explain SSRS Architecture?
Reporting services architecture is comprises of integrated components. It is multi-tiered, included with application, server and data layers. This architecture is scalable and modular. A single installation can be used across multiple computers. It includes the following components: - Report Manager, Reporting Designer, Browser Types Supported by Reporting services, Report server, Report server command line utilities, Report Server Database, Reporting Services Extensibility, Data sources that is supported by Reporting Services.

Q: Explain Reporting Life Cycye?
The Reporting Lifecycle includes - Report designing – The designing is done in Visual Studio Report Designer. It generates a class which embodies the Report Definition. - Report processing – The processing includes binging the report definition with data from the report data source. It performs on all grouping, sorting and filtering calculations. The expressions are evaluated except the page header, footer and section items. Later it fires the Binding event and Bound event. As a result of the processing, it produces Report Instance. Report instance may be persisted and stored which can be rendered at a later point of time. - Report Rendering: Report rendering starts by passing the Report Instance to a specific rendering extension (HTML or PDF formats). The instance of reports is paged if paging supported by output format. The expressions of items are evaluated in the page header and footer sections for every page. As a final step, the report is rendered to the specific output document.

Q: How to finetune Reports?
To tune-up the Reporting Services, follow the below mentioned ways: - Expand the Server or utilizing the reporting services of another database server. For better embedding of report contents, report application’s logic and characteristics can have a duplicate copy of data. - Replication of data continuously. Using nolock, the issues of locking can well be resolved and the performance of the query can be improved. This can be done by using dirty read at the time of duplicating the data is unavailable.

Q: What are Data Driven Subscriptions?
Reporting Services provides data-driven subscriptions so that you can customize the distribution of a report based on dynamic subscriber data. Data-driven subscriptions are intended for the following kinds of scenarios: Distributing reports to a large recipient pool whose membership may change from one distribution to the next. For example distribute a monthly report to all current customers. Distributing reports to a specific group of recipients based on predefined criteria. For example send a sales performance report to the top ten sales managers in an organization.

Q: What is Linked Report?

Q: What are different types of roles provided by SSRS?

Q: Difference between Logical Page an Physical Page in SSRS.
Logical page breaks are page breaks that you insert before or after report items or groups. Page breaks help to determine how the content is fitted to a report page for optimal viewing when rendering or exporting the report. The following rules apply when rendering logical page breaks: Logical page breaks are ignored for report items that are constantly hidden and for report items where the visibility is controlled by clicking another report item. Logical page breaks are applied on conditionally visible items if they are currently visible at the time the report is rendered. Space is preserved between the report item with the logical page break and its peer report items. Logical page breaks that are inserted before a report item push the report item down to the next page. The report item is rendered at the top of the next page. Logical page breaks defined on items in table or matrix cells are not kept. This does not apply to items in lists.

Q: User want only to display only pdf as export option in report Manager. How to acheive this?

Q: Name and Describe few console utilities for SSRS?

Q: Name few Endpoints exposed by SSRS 2012?

Q: Describe different Processing Modes offered by SSRS?

Q: When to Use Null Data driven Subscription?
Create a data-driven subscription that uses the Null Delivery Provider. When you specify the Null Delivery Provider as the method of delivery in the subscription, the report server targets the report server database as the delivery destination and uses a specialized rendering extension called the null rendering extension. In contrast with other delivery extensions, the Null Delivery Provider does not have delivery settings that you can configure through a subscription definition.

Q: How can you monitor the report Usage?

Q: How does the report manager work in SSRS? 
Report manager is a web application. In SSRS it is accessed by a URL. The interface of this Report manager depends on the permissions of the user. This means to access any functionality or perform any task, the user must be assigned a role. A user with a role of full permissions can entire all the features and menus of the report. To configure the report manager, a URL needs to be defined.

Q: What are the Reporting Services components?
Reporting services components assist in development. These processing components include some tools that are used to create, manage and view reports. A report designer is used to create the reports. a report sever is used to execute and distribute reports. a report manager is used to manage the report server.

Q:SQL Server Reporting Services vs Crystal Reports. 
Crystal reports are processed by IIS while SSRS have a report server. Caching in Crystal reports is available through cache server. On the other hand, caching in SSRS is available for Report history snapshots. Crystal reports have standards and user defined field labels. SSRS allows only user defined field labels.

Q: What is Report Builder?
Report Builder is a business-user, ad-hoc report design client that allows users to design reports based on the business terms (Report Builder model) they are familiar with, but without needing to understand database schemas or how to write SQL or MDX queries. Report Builder works with both SQL Server and Analysis Services data sources.

Q: How does Report Builder support Analysis Services cubes?
Report Builder supports relational SQL and Analysis Services data sources in SQL Server 2005. To create a model for Analysis Services cube, go to Report Manager or Management Studio, create a data source for your Analysis Services database, and then select the Generate Model option to create the model.

Q: How do users use Report Builder with SQL Server data sources?
While models that provide access to SQL Server Analysis Services are automatically generated on the report server, the Report Builder Model Designer can be used to generate or modify the models that are built on top of SQL Server relational databases. These model-building projects are a new type of project within a Visual Studio–based development shell.

Q: How do I get Report Builder to generate a parameter that can be set by users viewing the report?
In the filter dialog box, click the name of the criteria that you would like to prompt the user for when viewing the report. For example, for the criteria Order Year=2000, click Order Year. Select the Prompt option in the drop-down list.

Q: What new data source types were added in SSRS 2012?
In addition to the data source types available in SSRS 2005 (SQL Server, Oracle, ODBC, OLE DB), the following have been added in SSRS 2008: SQL Server 2005 Analysis Services SQL Server 2005 Integration Services SQL Server 2005 Report Builder Models XML (through URL and Web services) SAP

Q: How can I add Reporting Services reports to my application?
Visual Studio 2005 (Standard and Enterprise editions) contains a set of freely redistributable Report Viewer controls that make it easy to embed Reporting Services functionality into custom applications. Two versions of the Report Viewer exist, one for rich Windows client applications and one for ASP.NET applications.

Q: Do I need a report server to run reports in my application?
In addition to publishing reports to a report server, you can build reports using the Report Designer that is directly integrated with Visual Studio language projects. You can embed reports directly in any Windows Forms or ASP.NET Web application without access to a report server. The data access in embedded reports is a natural extension of the Visual Studio data facilities. Not only can you use traditional databases as a source of data for your reports, you can use object collections as well.

Q: Can you import Microsoft Excel data to SSRS?
Reporting Services does not import data. It only queries data in whatever format it is stored in their native storage system. I will assume that you're asking whether you can create reports and use Excel spreadsheets as data sources. The answer is Yes, Reporting Services supports a wide variety of data sources, including Excel files. You'll get the best performance with the built-in native .NET providers but you should be able to connect to any ODBC or OLE-DB data source, whether it comes from Microsoft or a third-party company.

Q: Can we deploy SSRS reports on our personal website?
Your reports can only be deployed on a reporting services site. Your only option for viewing them from other sites is an HTTP link. Some tools, like SharePoint offer controls allowing you to view reports in the context of the other websites, but the report is still deployed to and hosted from reporting services.

Q: Can we use datagrids for our report in SSRS?
I've got an ASP.NET project that populates a datagrid. I'd like to use the datagrid as my datasource for my report using SQL Server Reporting Services. Is this possible? The simple answer is no. However, nothing's ever simple. A set of reporting controls was added in Visual Studio 2010 allowing you to report in a dataset, on data that was supplied by you. So, if you retrieved your data into a dataset, bound the datagrid to the dataset so it had data to display, you could then use that dataset as the datasource for the reporting controls. These are then client-side reports, not server reports though.

Q: What are the drawbacks of reporting in SSRS?
For many years, Microsoft had no direct solution for reporting with the SQL Server besides Crystal Reports. Now, they have SQL Server Reporting Services, but it does have several drawbacks. It is still complex to understand the complete functionality and structure of this new component, and many users are still relying on the reporting application they are more familiar with, which is Crystal Reports. Also, components in SSRS like Report Builder and Report Designer are meant for different users for different aspects of the report process, yet complete understanding and exposure to both is important to utilize both functions fully and extensively. There are also issues when exporting very large reports to Microsoft Excel, as it can lead to a loss of data.

Q: Will running SSRS on Windows XP limit the number of users?
Yes, but not because of SSRS. The Internet Information Services (IIS) component of Windows XP only allows a small number of users to connect to the website at once. As SSRS runs via IIS, this would prevent more than a few people from using SSRS at once. Also, the only edition of SSRS that will install on Windows XP is the Developer Edition. This edition can not be used for production use. You need Standard or Enterprise Edition for production use, which requires a Server OS to install on (Windows 2003 Standard, Windows 2008 Standard, etc).

Q: Are there issues when exporting SSRS reports into Microsoft Excel?
When my users are trying to export a SSRS report into Microsoft Excel, one or two columns in the report appear to merge together. Why might this be? Exporting from SSRS is not always perfect, even if you stay within the Microsoft range of products. If you have extra resources, you could splurge for an add-on that offers much better control over exporting to Excel, such as OfficeWriter. From my experience, though, it is usually headers or footers that cause exporting issues. If any of these headers or footers overlap with data columns in your report, you will find that the exported version of the report has merged cells. Also, check columns next to each other to make sure that there is no overlap, as well.

Q: How to send a SSRS report from SSIS?
Often there is a requirement to be able to send a SSRS report in Excel, PDF or another format to different users from a SSIS package one it has finished performing a data load. In order to do this, first you need to create a subscription to the report. You can create a SSRS report subscription from Report Manager. At the report subscription you can mention the report format and the email address of the recipient. When you create a schedule for the SSRS report, a SQL Server Agent Job will be created. From the SSIS, by using sp_start_job and passing the relevant job name you can execute the SSRS report subscription.

=iif(Fields!product.value = 'bikas',false,true) for a field to make it visible or hidden

You want to include an image in a report. How do you display the Image Properties dialog box?
When you drag an image item from the Toolbox window to the Report Designer, the Image Properties dialog box automatically opens.

You want to configure an amount to display the value in a currency format. Which property do you use? 
To configure an amount to display a value in a currency format, select the report item, and then set the format property to C or c.

What are data regions?
Data regions are report items that display repeated rows of summarized information from datasets.

You want to generate a report that is formatted as a chart. Can you use the Report Wizard to create such a report?
No, the Report Wizard lets you create only tabular and matrix reports. you must create the chart report directly by using the Report Designer.

You want to use BIDS to deploy a report to a different server than the one you chose in the Report Wizard. How can you change the server URL?
You can right-click the project in Solution Explorer and then change the Target-Server URL property.

Which rendering formats are affected by the PageSize properties?
Because only the Adobe PDf file, Word, and Image rendering extensions use physical page breaks, they are the only formats that are affected by the PageSize properties.

Can you use a stored procedure to provide data to an SSRS report?
Yes, you can use a stored procedure to provide data to an SSRS report by configuring the dataset to use a stored procedure command type. However, your stored procedure should return only a single result set. If it returns multiple result sets, only the first one is used for the report dataset.

You want to use a perspective in an MDX query. How do you select the perspective?
Use the Cube Selector in the MDX Query Designer to select a perspective.

Can you use data mining models in SSRS?
Yes, you can use the DMX Designer to create data mining queries for SSRS reports. However, do not forget to flatten the result set returned by the DMX query.

You want your report to display a hyperlink that will take users to your intranet. How do you configure such a hyperlink?
Create a text box item, set the action to Go To URL, and then configure the URL.

You want a report to display Sales by Category, SubCategory, and Product. You want users to see only summarized information initially but to be able to display the details as necessary. How would you create the report?
Group the Sales information by Category, SubCategory, and Product. Hide the SubCategory group and set the visibility to toggle based on the Category item. Hide the Product category group and set the visibility to toggle based on the SubCategory item.

You want to create an Excel interactive report from SSRS. In SSRS, can you create the same interactive experience in Excel that you would have on the Web?
No, you cannot create the same experience with SSRS. you can, however, use Excel to create such an experience.

What is the main difference between a Matrix report item and a Table report item?
The main difference between a Matrix and a Table report item is in the initial template. Actually, both report items are just templates for the Tablix data region.

When you do not use report caching, is it better to use parameters to filter information in the query or to use filters in the dataset?
From a performance perspective, it is better to use parameters because they let SSRS pull filtered data from the data source. In contrast, when you use filters, the queries retrieve all data and then filter the information in an additional step.

How do you configure a running aggregate in SSRS?
You can use the RunningValue function to configure a running aggregate.

What is the main purpose of a report parameter?
The main purpose of a report parameter is to add interactivity to your reports, letting users change the report behavior based on options they select.

What is the main purpose of a query parameter?
The main purpose of a query parameter is to filter data in the data source.

You want your users to select a parameter from a list of values in a list box. How should you configure the parameter?
You should create a data source that contains the possible values and then bind the data source to the parameter.

What is the main benefit of using embedded code in a report?
The main benefit of using embedded code in a report is that the code you write at the report level can be reused in any expression in the report.

What programming language would you use to create embedded functions in SSRS?
An SSRS report supports only visual Basic .nET embedded cod

How do you reference an embedded function in a report expression?
Use the Code prefix and the name of the function to reference an embedded function in a report expression.

Which of the following are valid options for deploying a report? (Choose all that apply.)
a. With BIDS
b. With the Computer Management console
c. With the .nET START command
d. With SSMS
e. With Report Manager
The correct answers are a and e, BIDS and Report Manager.

Why should you not overwrite a shared data source in production?
You should not overwrite a production-shared data source because the administrator has probably already changed some connection string properties.

Can you edit a report that an end user created by using Report Builder in BIDS?
Yes, if an end user created a report by using Report Builder in BIDS and saved the report definition file, you can open the file in BIDS and edit it.

How can you manage reports from your application if the report server is deployed in SharePoint integrated mode?
Use the ReportService2006 endpoint of the SSRS Web service if your report server is deployed in SharePoint integrated mode.

In which processing mode of a report viewer control can you use the full functionality of your report server?
You should use the remote processing mode to use the full functionality of your report server.

What types of roles are available in SSRS 2008, and what are their purposes?
Item-level roles and system-level roles are the two types of roles available in SSRS 2008. An item-level role is a collection of tasks related to operations on an object of the report object hierarchy of SSRS 2008. A system-level role is a collection of tasks related to operations on server objects outside the report object hierarchy of SSRS 2008.

Can a user or group belong to more than one item-level or system-level role?
Yes, in SSRS 2008, a user or group can have more than one association to a system-level or an item-level role.

When storing the credentials of a data source in the server, are those credentials safe?
Yes, the data source credentials are safe because Reporting Services encrypts them and stores them in the ReportServer SQL Server database.

What happens if you do not specify a parameter value in a subscription and the parameter does not have a default value?
If you do not specify a parameter value in a subscription and the parameter does not have a default value, the execution of the report will fail.

You want to create a subscription to a report. However, when you right-click the Subscription subfolder of the report, you notice that the new Subscription option is dimmed. What is wrong?
When the new Subscription option is dimmed, the report probably does not use stored credentials for accessing the data. SSRS needs these credentials stored in its own ReportServer database to execute a report on a schedule.

What can you do if your query with properties for a data-driven subscription does not provide values for all of the subscription properties?
If your query with properties for a data-driven subscription does not provide values for all of the subscription properties, you can use text and default values instead. These values are then used for parameters of all subscriptions you get from the query.

What mechanisms do you identify to reduce the overhead of Reporting Services data sources?
Snapshots and cached reports can help reduce the processing pressure on data sources and improve report response time.

Can you always create a cache of a report?
No, you can create a cache of a report only when certain requirements, such as having credentials stored in the Report Server, are met.

Can you edit the .rdl code associated with a linked report?
No, because a linked report has no .rdl code of its own. It refers to the .rdl code of the base report.

Which of the tools and utilities described in this lesson can change or create the virtual directories for the report server and Report Manager after installation?
Only Reporting Services Configuration Manager can enable and name the virtual directories for the report server and Report Manager.

What is the file name extension for an encryption key backup?
Encryption key backups have an .snk file name extension.

What are the three SSRS command-line utilities and their primary functions?
RSConfig.exe is used to define the connection properties from the SSRS instance to the Report Server database; RSKeyMgmt.exe performs encryption key operations and scale-out deployment setup; RS.exe runs Report Server Script files that can perform report deployment and management operations.

If you want to disable one of the rendering options in the Save As drop-down list when viewing a report through Report Manager, where do you do that?
The visibility property for any of the rendering devices can be changed by modifying the RSReportServer.config file and locating the  tag for the specific device.