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Setting Data Source Properties in Reporting Services

In Reporting Services, reports, report models, and data-driven subscriptions retrieve data from external data sources. To connect to an external data source, a report server uses data source connection information that is defined in or referenced from the report, model, or subscription. The properties that are defined on a data source include the following parts:

  • Data source type
  • Connection string
  • Credentials

You can set data source properties at design time (for example, when you create a report or model), or after the report or model is published to a report server. For more information about setting data source properties at design time, see How to: Create or Edit a Report-Specific Data Source (Report Designer), How to: Create or Edit a Shared Data Source (Report Designer) and How to: Create a Report Model Using Model Designer.

Setting Data Source Properties on a Report Server

Data source properties can be managed independently of the items that use them. Although all reports, models, and subscriptions include data source connection information when they are defined, anyone who has permission to manage these items can modify its data source configuration after it is published to a report server.

To manage a data source connection for a published item, you can use SQL Server Management Studio or Report Manager to modify settings on a properties page. You can change data source properties as follows:

  • Configure a report to use a shared rather than a report-specific data source. You can switch between report-specific data sources and shared data sources; they are interchangeable and provide identical connection information.
    Note that report models always use shared data sources. You cannot embed data source connection information within the model itself.
  • Change how credentials are obtained or choose a different authentication mode. For example, you might configure a report to prompt for user credentials rather than use integrated security. How you specify credentials determines whether additional functionality is available.
    Any report that runs on a schedule must use stored credentials. When you specify stored credentials, the credentials will be used by all users who access a report. In most cases, an account that has read-only permissions is sufficient. Be sure to avoid using accounts that have more permissions than are required for the task. For more information, see Specifying Credential and Connection Information.
  • Modify the connection string. As long as the data structures are identical, you can configure a report to use a completely different database (for example, to switch from a test database to a production server database).
  • For shared data sources only, make the data source unavailable.

Note

Managing data source connections to report data sources is not the same as managing the report server connection to the report server database. For more information about a report server connection to its internal data store, see Configuring a Report Server Database Connection.

See Also

Tasks

How to: Configure a Report-Specific Data Source (Report Manager)
How to: Create, Delete, or Modify a Shared Data Source (Report Manager)
How to: Specify Stored Credentials for a Data Source (Report Manager)
How to: Create, Delete, or Modify a Shared Data Source (Management Studio)
How to: Configure a Report-Specific Data Source (Management Studio)
How to: Specify Stored Credentials for a Data Source (Management Studio)

Concepts

Connecting to a Data Source
Data Sources Supported by Reporting Services
Working with Data in Reporting Services
Shared Data Sources and Report-Specific Data Sources

Other Resources

Managing and Working With Published Reports

Help and Information

Getting SQL Server 2005 Assistance