Managing Resources
A resource is an item on a report server that provides external content to report users. Although resources may be associated with a report (for example, a resource may contain image data that is referenced in a report), they may also be completely independent of any report. Typically, a resource is used to keep collateral or supporting documents alongside published reports. The following examples illustrate some of the ways in which you can use resources:
- Upload an HTML document that contains information of interest to report users (for example, links to corporate portals or other report server Web sites).
- Publish Microsoft Word or Microsoft Excel documents that supplement or provide information about a report.
- Store a text file that contains a readme or policy information for accessing content over an extranet connection.
- Upload JPEG files or other images that contain charts or graphical content.
All resources originate as files on a file system that are subsequently uploaded to a report server. There are no restrictions on the kinds of files you can upload. However, when published to a report server as a resource, some file types are more optimal than others. For example, resources that are based on HTML and JPG files will open in a browser window when the user clicks the resource, rendering the HTML as a Web page and the JPG as an image that the user can see. In contrast, resources that are based on desktop application files, for example, may not be rendered in any way in the browser window.
Whether a resource can be viewed by report users depends on the viewing capabilities of the browser. Resources are never processed by a report server. Instead, they are passed directly to the browser. If the browser has the viewing capability to render a specific Multipurpose Internet Mail Extension (MIME) type, any resources that correspond to that MIME type will be rendered in a browser window, or in the View page of Report Manager or in the viewing pane of Management Studio. If the browser cannot render the content, users who view the resource see only the general properties of the resource.
Resources exist alongside reports, shared data sources, shared schedules, and folders in the report server folder hierarchy. You can search for, view, secure, and manage resources just as you would any item stored on a report server.
To create and manage resources, you can use Report Manager or Management Studio. To use an image resource from within a report, add the image to the project and publish it along with the report. Once the image is published as a resource, you can subsequently update the image by republishing it or by replacing the resource. The report uses the most current version of the image. For more information, see Adding an Image to a Report and How to: Update a Resource (Report Manager).
See Also
Tasks
How to: Upload a File or Report (Report Manager)
How to: Upload a File or Report (Management Studio)
How to: Delete a Report or Item (Report Manager)
How to: Delete an Item (Management Studio)
How to: Move an Item (Report Manager)
How to: Update a Resource (Report Manager)
Concepts
Other Resources
Managing Report Server Content
General Properties Page (Resources, Report Manager)