Reporting Services courseware and training manuals

Our Reporting Services courseware includes everything from creating basic reports through to advanced topics like custom assemblies:

You can see details of how to license our Reporting Services courseware (including volume requirements) here.

Reporting Services courseware

Here is a list of all of our Reporting Services manual chapters (you can download the ones marked):

Chapter Sections Subsections
Getting Started (7 pages) What is Reporting Services?
Visual Studio and SQL Server Data Tools A Brief History of Version Numbers ; Installing SQL Server Data Tools
Report Server Projects Opening Visual Studio ; Creating a New Project ; Closing a Project ; Opening an Existing Project ; Using the Start Page
The Visual Studio Screen Auto-Hiding Windows ; Opening and Closing Windows ; The Main Windows ; Repositioning Windows ; Resetting the Window Layout
Working with Reports (5 pages) Creating Reports
Report Views Design View and Report Preview ; Code View
Managing Reports Opening and Closing Reports ; Saving Reports ; Renaming Reports ; Deleting and Removing Reports ; Importing Reports
Report Templates Creating a Report Template ; Using a Report Template
Basic Report Items (7 pages) Report Items Adding Items to a Report
Selecting Report Items Selecting Single Report Items ; Selecting Multiple Items
Manipulating Report Items Moving Report Items ; Resizing Items ; Using the Properties Window ; Deleting Items ; Aligning Items ; Distributing Items
Images, Rectangles and Textboxes Images ; Rectangles ; Textboxes
Formatting (6 pages)

Download this chapter 		Three Ways to Format an Item Toolbars ; The Properties Window ; The Properties Dialog Box
Changing Colours Choosing Basic Colours ; Custom Colours ; Colour Gradients and Patterns
Formatting Text Formatting All or Part of a Textbox ; Basic Font Formatting Options ; Text Alignment
Formatting Borders The Borders Toolbar ; The Borders Dialog
Formatting Numbers and Dates Using Built-In Formats ; Creating Custom Formats
Getting Data (8 pages) Data Sources and Datasets The Wise Owl Movies Database
Data Sources Shared and Embedded Data Sources ; Creating a Shared Data Source ; Using a Shared Data Source ; Creating an Embedded Data Source
Datasets Shared and Embedded Datasets ; Creating a Shared Dataset ; Using a Shared Dataset ; Creating an Embedded Dataset
The Query Designer Building a Query
Editing Data Sources and Datasets Editing Data Sources ; Editing a Dataset
Basic Tables (12 pages) Creating Tables Inserting a Table ; Tables and Datasets ; Using the Field Selector ; Dragging Fields into a Table
Views of a Table Tables in Design View ; Tables in Report View
Selecting in Tables Selecting the Table ; Selecting Cells
Table Properties The Tablix Properties Dialog Box ; The Text Box Properties Dialog Box
Rows and Columns Selecting Rows and Columns ; Changing Column Widths ; Changing Row Heights ; Preventing Row Height Changes ; Inserting and Deleting Columns ; Inserting and Deleting Rows
Merging and Splitting Cells Merging Cells ; Splitting Cells
Controlling Column Headers How Not to Make Column Headers Repeat ; Repeating Column Headers on Each Page ; Making Column Headers Scroll
Sorting and Filtering (6 pages) Sorting Sorting in the Query of a Dataset ; Sorting in a Table ; Sorting in a Group ; Interactive Sorting
Filtering Filtering in the Query of a Dataset ; Filtering in the Dataset Properties Dialog Box ; Filtering a Table ; Filtering in a Group
Grouping in Tables (11 pages) Grouping Basics
Grouping Rows in a Table Step 1 – Build a Basic Table ; Step 2 – Apply Grouping to the Detail Row ; Step 3 – Choose Which Field to Group By ; The End Result
Removing Groups Deleting Groups in the Grouping Pane ; Deleting Groups in a Table
Formatting a Grouped Table Adding Group Headers and Footers ; Rearranging Group Titles ; Adding Group Totals
Multiple Groups Adding a New Parent Group ; Adding a Child Group
Page Breaks Inserting Page Breaks between Groups
Collapsible Groups Step 1 - Hiding Detail Rows ; Step 2 - Setting Toggle Items
Expressions (17 pages) Overview of Expressions Choosing to Create an Expression ; The Expression Builder Dialog Box ; Referring to Dataset Fields ; Referring to Report Items ; Inserting Functions
Ad-Hoc Table Columns Creating an Ad-Hoc Column Expression
Calculated Fields Adding a Calculated Field to a Dataset ; Using a Calculated Field ; Adding Calculated Fields to a Query
Working with Numbers Basic Arithmetic ; Numeric Functions
Conditional Functions The IIf Function ; The Switch Function ; Comparison Operators ; Logical Operators
Working with Text Concatenating Text ; Text Functions
Working with Dates Returning the Current Date ; Date Functions ; Intervals for Date Functions ; Formatting Dates
Aggregating Data Aggregate Functions ; Adding Aggregates the Quick Way ; Changing the Aggregate Function ; Specifying the Scope
Lookup Functions The Lookup Function ; The LookupSet Function
Built-In Fields Built-In Fields in the Expression Builder ; Built-In Fields in the Report Data Window
Placeholders Creating a Placeholder
Dynamic Formatting (5 pages) Formatting with Expressions Which Properties can be Calculated?
Calculating Colours Using Named Colours ; Using Custom Colours ; Converting RGB to Hexadecimal Values
Calculating Font Properties Dynamic Font Sizes ; Decorating Text ; Other Font Properties
Dynamically Hiding Report Items The Hidden Property ; Calculating the Visibility of Report Items
Printing and Exporting (7 pages) Printing Reports Print Layout View ; Choosing to Print a Report
Page Setup Page Setup Options in Preview ; Page Setup Options in Design View ; Controlling the Page Size
Headers and Footers Adding and Removing Headers and Footers ; Adding Items to Headers and Footers ; Expressions for Headers and Footers ; Controlling Page Numbers in Groups
Exporting Reports Choosing to Export a Report ; Creating Worksheet Names in Excel
Testing the Render Format Displaying a Title Page in Excel Only ; A List of Render Formats
Parameters (17 pages) Introduction to Parameters Displaying the Parameters Pane
Report Parameters Creating a Report Parameter ; Using a Report Parameter in a Filter ; Parameter Data Types ; Dealing with No Rows ; Displaying Parameter Values in the Report
Query Parameters Writing a Query using Parameters
Organising Parameters Changing the Order of Parameters ; Using the Parameters Pane
Default Values Typing in a Default Value ; Calculating Default Values ; Getting Default Values from a Dataset
Null Values Allowing Null Values ; Dealing with Nulls in Filters
Drop Down Lists Manually Entering Available Values ; Using a Dataset to Populate a List
Multi-Value Drop Down Lists Allowing Multiple Values ; Using Multiple Values in Filters ; Using Multiple Values in Queries ; Displaying Multiple Values in a Report
Cascading Drop Down Lists Creating Cascading Drop Down Lists ; Using Cascading Drop Down Lists
Conditional Formatting with Parameters Parameters in Formatting Expressions
Indicators (6 pages) Creating Indicators Adding an Indicator to a Table ; Assigning a Field to an Indicator
Editing Indicators Changing the Indicator ; Changing the Indicator’s Field ; Changing the Aggregate Function
Formatting Indicators Changing Indicator Colours and Icons ; Formatting the Background of an Indicator
Indicator Size and Position Controlling the Size of an Indicator ; Preventing an Indicator from Stretching
Scaling and Measurement Units Changing the Scope of Scaling ; Changing the Measurement Units ; Adding and Removing Bands
Gauges (12 pages) What are Gauges? Anatomy of a Gauge
Creating Gauges Inserting a Gauge into a Table ; Assigning a Field to a Gauge
Editing Gauges Selecting Part of a Gauge ; Adding and Deleting Items in a Gauge
Editing a Scale Changing the Limits of the Scale ; Formatting Tick Marks ; Changing the Scale’s Dimensions
Editing a Pointer Changing the Pointer Type ; Setting the Pointer Size and Position ; Changing the Pointer Fill Colour
Editing a Range Setting the Start and End Position ; Changing the Size and Position ; Changing the Fill Colour
Editing the Gauge Choosing a Frame ; Formatting the Frame ; Setting the Size and Position
Editing a Label Setting the Value Displayed ; Anchoring a Label
Multiple Items Multiple Pointers ; Multiple Scales ; Multiple Gauges ; Creating Child Gauges
Charts (10 pages) Creating Charts Inserting a Chart into a Report ; Inserting a Chart into a Tablix Item ; Assigning Fields to a Chart ; Previewing a Chart
Editing Charts Parts of a Chart ; Changing Chart Properties ; Adding and Removing Elements in a Chart
Chart Colours Choosing a Colour Palette ; Creating a Custom Palette ; Calculating Colours ; Synchronising Colours in a Table
Using Multiple Value Fields Adding Multiple Value Fields to a Chart ; Multiple Value Axes ; Using Different Chart Types
Sparklines Adding a Sparkline to a Report or Tablix Item ; Editing Sparklines
Databars Adding a Data Bar to a Report or Tablix Item ; Editing Data Bars
Matrices (7 pages) Overview of Matrices Adding a Matrix to a Report ; Assigning Fields to a Matrix
Editing a Matrix Changing the Aggregate Function ; Replacing Empty Cells ; Displaying Row and Column Totals
Sorting a Matrix Sorting by Row and Column Fields ; Sorting by Values
Matrix Headers and Titles Inserting the Extra Row ; Controlling the Height of the Header Row
Repeating and Scrolling Headers Making Row and Column Headers Repeat
Multiple Grouping Levels Creating Multiple Grouping Levels
Lists (4 pages) Introduction to Lists What a List Really Is
Creating a List Inserting a List into a Report ; Adding Fields to a List ; Adding Labels to Fields
Grouped Lists Adding a Group to a List
Subreports (6 pages) An Overview of Subreports
Creating the Child Report Step 1 - Create the Dataset ; Step 2 - Create a Parameter ; Step 3 - Filter the Dataset ; Step 4 - Design the Report
Creating the Parent Report Step 1 - Create the Dataset ; Step 2 - Design the Report
Combining the Parent and Child Reports Step 1 - Insert a Subreport into the Parent Report ; Step 2 – Assign a Report to the Subreport ; Step 3 - Pass a Value to the Child Report’s Parameter ; Running the Report
Drillthrough Reports (6 pages)

Download this chapter 		Overview of Drillthrough Reports The Example for this Chapter
Creating the Child Report Step 1 - Create the Dataset ; Step 2 - Hide the Parameter ; Step 3 - Design the Report
Creating the Parent Report Step 1 - Create the Dataset ; Step 2 - Design the Report
Creating Report Actions Step 1 - View the Action Properties ; Step 2 - Configure the Action to Open a Report
Using Drillthrough Reports Running the Parent Report ; Returning to the Parent Report
Multiple Parameters Creating Child Reports with Multiple Parameters ; Creating the Parent Report
Maps (8 pages) Maps in SSRS Map Data
Creating a Map Report Creating a Dataset ; Inserting a Map into a Report
The Map Wizard Step 1 – Choosing a Map Source ; Step 2 – Cropping and Resizing the Map ; Step 3 – Choosing a Type of Visualisation ; Step 4 – Selecting a Dataset ; Step 5 – Linking the Dataset to the Map ; Step 6 – Choosing Which Field to Display
Editing Maps Map Options and Properties ; Map Layers
Colour Rules Controlling Colour Bands ; Types of Colour Rules
Deploying Report Projects (4 pages) What is Deployment?
Preparing for Deployment Finding the URL of the Report Server ; Setting the Target Server for a Report Project ; Choosing Whether to Overwrite Data Sources
Deploying the Project Deploying a Report Project
The Reporting Services Web Portal (13 pages) Overview of the Web Portal
Getting to the Web Portal Finding the Web Portal URL ; Browsing to the Web Portal
Using the Web Portal The Web Portal Menu ; Viewing Item Options ; Finding Items ; Using Favourites
Working with Reports Viewing and Exporting Reports ; Downloading Reports ; Moving and Deleting Reports ; Managing Reports
Report Builder Editing Reports in Report Builder ; Viewing Windows in Report Builder ; Inserting New Items in Report Builder ; Saving the Report
Uploading Items Uploading Files in the Web Portal
Security in Reporting Services Users, Groups and Roles ; Assigning Users to System-Level Roles ; Assigning Users to Item-Level Roles ; Creating New Roles
Managing Data Sources and Datasets (7 pages) Deployed Data Sources and Datasets Viewing Shared Data Sources and Datasets
Managing Data Sources Editing Data Sources ; Creating a New Data Source
Data Source Credentials Viewing Credential Options ; Storing Credentials in a Data Source ; Prompting for Credentials
Managing Datasets Creating a New Dataset ; Viewing a Dataset’s Data ; Editing a Dataset
Schedules, Snapshots and Subscriptions (11 pages) Alternative Ways to Run Reports
Schedules Running the SQL Server Agent ; Managing Shared Schedules ; Configuring a Schedule
Caching Reports and Datasets Enabling Caching ; Cache Expiration Settings ; Cache Refresh Plans ; Setting Parameter Values ; Running a Report from a Cache Snapshot
Report History Snapshots Creating a History Snapshot Manually ; Creating Scheduled History Snapshots ; Retaining History Snapshots
Subscriptions Types of Subscription ; Creating a Subscription ; Using a Windows File Share Destination ; Using an Email Destination ; Assigning Parameter Values ; Managing Subscriptions
KPIs and Mobile Reports (10 pages) Other Types of Report
KPIs An Example KPI ; Creating a KPI Dataset ; Creating a KPI ; Setting the Value Field ; Setting the Goal Field ; Setting the Status Field ; Setting the Trend Set Field ; Related Content
Mobile Reports Choosing to Create a Mobile Report ; Adding and Editing Visualisations ; Formatting Visualisations ; Viewing a Visualisation’s Data ; Adding Data to a Mobile Report ; Changing Report Settings ; Saving a Mobile Report

Advanced SSRS courseware

Here is a list of all of our Advanced SSRS manual chapters (you can download the ones marked):

Chapter Sections Subsections
Advanced Expressions (7 pages) Scope Dataset Scope ; Data Region Scope ; Row and Group Scope ; Entering Aggregate Formulae
Row Numbers The RowNumber Function ; Numbering over Groups ; The Nothing Scope ; Alternate Row Colouring
Running Totals
Extra Functions
Variables (5 pages) Using Variables The Need for Variables ; Creating a Variable ; Referencing Variables
How Variables are Calculated
Group Variables Creating a Group Variable ; Referring to Group Variables in Expressions
Embedding Code (7 pages) Overview – Ways to Reuse Code Our Example ; Strategies to Use ; Writing your Expression in SQL ; Writing an Expression in SSRS
Creating an Embedded Function Step 1 - Designing your Function (Data Types) ; Step 2 – Writing your Function ; Step 3 – Embedding your Code in a Report ; Step 4 – Referencing your Code
Other Ways to Write Code Writing Code within RDL ; Writing Code within a Class Library
SQL Server Database Access (4 pages) Server Explorer / Management Studio Comparison of SSMS and Server Explorer
Accessing Server Explorer
Accessing Management Studio (SSMS) Starting to Use Management Studio ; Object Explorer ; Useful Start-up Options
Views (12 pages) The Need for Views
Creating Views using the Designer Starting the Designer ; Choosing Columns ; Sorting and Filtering ; Adding Grouping ; Executing a View ; Saving and Closing Views ; Seeing your View in Object Explorer ; Running a View ; Changing a View
Scripting Views Creating a New View ; Changing an Open View in Script ; Changing a View’s Script from Object Explorer
Switching between the Designer and Scripting
Using Views in Datasets
Using Views to Rename Columns
Pros and Cons of Views Advantages of Views ; Disadvantages of Views
Stored Procedures (9 pages) Introduction to Stored Procedures
Creating Stored Procedures Typing in a Stored Procedure ; Executing the Script to Create your Stored Procedure ; Viewing your Stored Procedure ; Basing a Report on your Stored Procedure
Altering a Stored Procedure Altering an Open Stored Procedure ; Altering a Procedure in a Database ; The Need to Refresh Fields
Executing Stored Procedures Refreshing your Local Cache ; Altering and Executing a Stored Procedure Together ; Selecting a Stored Procedure Name to Run It
Renaming and Deleting Stored Procedures Renaming/Deleting a Procedure with the Menu ; Deleting a Procedure in Script ; Renaming a Procedure in Script
The Cheat’s Stored Procedure
Parameters in Stored Procedures (11 pages) Overview Syntax of Parameters ; Parameters and SSRS Reports
Creating Procedures with Parameters Step 1 – Specifying the Parameters ; Step 2 – Coding the Parameters ; Step 3 – Referencing the Parameters ; Using Text Wildcards with Parameters
Testing Procedures using Parameters Passing Values to Parameters in Order ; Testing a Procedure using Parameter Names ; Right-clicking to Test a Procedure
Stored Procedure Parameters in SSRS Reports
Allowing Null Values How Null Values are Passed from SSRS ; The Workaround – Trap Nulls in your WHERE Condition
Parameter Data Types (Numbers) Integer Data Types ; Decimal and Numeric Types ; The Float Type
Parameter Data Types (Text) Types of Character Storage ; Variable Length Data Types ; Fixed Length Data Types
Parameter Data Types (Dates/Times)
Stored Procedures and Dropdowns (6 pages) Basic Dropdowns using Stored Procedures Step 1 – Creating the Two Datasets Needed ; Step 2 – Adding the Datasets ; Step 3 – Configuring the Dropdown Parameter
Cascading Dropdowns The Datasets and Parameters Needed ; The Three Stored Procedures Needed
Removing SELECT A VALUE How Dropdowns Look by Default ; How the Solution will Work ; Creating the Dataset with Additional Top Row ; Setting the Default Parameter Value
Multivalue Dropdowns and Procedures (8 pages) Multivalue Parameters How Multivalue Parameters are Stored
Splitting Comma-Delimited Strings Creating a Table-Valued Function to Split the Parameter String ; Testing the Table-Valued Function
Creating a Multivalue Parameter Step 1 - Creating the Dropdown Dataset ; Step 2 - Creating the Main Report Dataset ; Step 3 – Adding the Datasets to the Report ; Step 4 – Configuring the Parameter Created ; Step 5 – Showing the Values Chosen
Coping with Multivalue Choices Intercepting SELECT ALL ; Setting a Maximum Number of Choices
Improving Report Navigation (7 pages) Bookmarks Step 1 - Creating the Report ; Step 2 – Creating the Bookmarks to Jump to ; Step 3 - Creating the Links to Each Row ; Step 4 - Creating the Link Back to the Top ; Step 5 – Creating Tooltips
Navigation Maps Creating a Document Map ; Nested Document Maps ; Exporting Document Map Reports to Excel ; Setting Titles
Dynamic Reports (Data) (4 pages) Dynamic Data Sources
Dynamic Datasets Step 1 - Creating the Base Report ; Step 2 - Creating the Parameter ; Step 3 – Make the Report Variable
Dynamic Stored Procedures Vary the Name of the Stored Procedure ; Passing a Value to a Stored Procedure Parameter
Dynamic Reports (Design) (11 pages) Examples in this Chapter
The Underlying Principle
Example – Choosing the Grouping Field Step 1 – Create the Report Template ; Step 2 – Create the Parameter ; Step 3 - Choose the Grouping Field ; Step 4 – Make any References to the Fixed Field Dynamic
Example – Choosing the Row and Column Field for a Matrix Step 1 – Create the Report Template ; Step 2 – Create the First Dropdown Parameter ; Step 3 – Creating the Second Dropdown Parameter ; Step 4 – Showing the Second Parameter ; Step 4 – Changing the Grouping Fields ; Step 5 – Update other References
Example – Choosing the Data Field Creating the Dropdown Parameter ; The Data Field and Title Expressions ; The Number Formatting

Notes:

  1. Since Wise Owl print courseware double-sided to save trees, the number of physical pages in each chapter is roughly half of the number of sides quoted.
  2. Downloads are provided as examples only, and should not be used or distributed in any way or form without the prior written permission of Wise Owl.
This page has 0 threads Add post