Lesson 1: Creating a Report Server Project
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 Business Intelligence Development Studio. 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 Programs, point to Microsoft SQL Server 2005, and then click Business Intelligence Development Studio.
On the File menu, point to New, and then click Project.
In the Project Types list, click Business Intelligence Projects.
In the Templates list, 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 Add New Item, click Report.
The following diagram illustrates the Add New Item dialog box, used for adding reports and other items to a project.
.gif "Add New Item dialog box")
In Name, type Sales Orders.rdl and then click Add.
The Report Designer opens and displays the new .rdl file in the Data view.
Report Designer is a Reporting Services component that runs in Business Intelligence Development Studio. It has three views: Data, Layout, and Preview. Click each tab to change views.
You define your data in the Data view. You define your report layout in the Layout view. You can run the report and see what it looks like in the Preview view.
Next Task
You have successfully created a Tutorial report project 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: Setting Up Connection Information.
See Also
Concepts
Tutorial: Creating a Basic Report
Other Resources
Creating a Report with Report Designer
Report Designer
Report Builder
New Business Intelligence Development Studio