Lesson 1: Creating a Report Server Project (Reporting Services)
To create a report in SQL Server, you must first create a report server project where you will save your report definition (.rdl) file and any other resource files that you need for your report. Then you will create the actual report definition file, define a data source for your report, define a dataset, and define the report layout. When you run the report, the actual data is retrieved and combined with the layout, and then rendered on your screen, from where you can export it, print it, or save it.
In this lesson, you will learn how to create a report server project in SQL Server Data Tools (SSDT). A report server project is used to create reports that run on a report server.
To create a report server project
Click Start, point to All Programs, point to Microsoft SQL Server 2012 , and then click SQL Server Data Tools. If this is the first time you have opened SQL Server Data Tools, click Business Intelligence Settings for the default environment settings.
On the File menu, point to New, and then click Project.
In the Installed Templates list, click Business Intelligence.
Click Report Server Project.
In Name, type Tutorial.
Click OK to create the project.
The Tutorial project is displayed in Solution Explorer.
To create a new report definition file
In Solution Explorer, right-click Reports, point to Add, and click New Item.
Note
If the Solution Explorer window is not visible, from the View menu, click Solution Explorer.
In the Add New Item dialog box, under Templates, click Report.
In Name, type Sales Orders.rdl and then click Add.
Report Designer opens and displays the new .rdl file in Design view.
Report Designer is a Reporting Services component that runs in SQL Server Data Tools (SSDT). It has two views: Design and Preview. Click each tab to change views.
You define your data in the Report Data pane. You define your report layout in Design view. You can run the report and see what it looks like in Preview view.
Next Task
You have successfully created a report project called "Tutorial" and added a report definition (.rdl) file to the report project. Next, you will specify a data source to use for the report. See Lesson 2: Specifying Connection Information (Reporting Services).