Add, Edit, Refresh Fields in the Report Data Pane (Report Builder and SSRS)

Dataset fields are the built-in collection of field names that represent the data that is returned when a dataset query runs on an external data source.

For an embedded dataset, the dataset fields are the fields that are created after you finish building a query and close the Query Designer pane, and calculated fields that you create.

For a shared dataset, the dataset fields are the fields from the shared dataset definition when you added it to your report. Although the query from the shared dataset on the report server is always used when you run the report, the list of dataset fields in the report is static.

Use Refresh Fields to update the list of fields in the report to match the current list of fields from the shared dataset query. Refreshing the field list does not affect the calculated fields that you define in your report.

Note

You can create and modify paginated report definition (.rdl) files in Microsoft Report Builder, Power BI Report Builder, and in Report Designer in SQL Server Data Tools.

To add a query field

  1. In the Report Data pane, right-click the dataset, and then click Add Query Field.

    Note

    If you cannot see the Report Data pane, from the View menu, click Report Data.

  2. In the Fields page of the Dataset Properties dialog box, click Add, and then click Query Field. A new row is added to the bottom of the grid.

  3. In the Field Name text box, type the name for the field.

    Note

    Names must be unique in the dataset.

  4. In the Field Source text box, type the name of an existing field on the data source.

  5. Select OK.

To add a calculated field

  1. In the Report Data pane, right-click the dataset, and then click Add Calculated Field.

  2. In the Fields page of the Dataset Properties dialog box, click Add, and then click Calculated Field. A new row is added to the bottom of the grid.

  3. In the Field Name text bo, type the name for the field.

    Note

    Names must be unique in the dataset.

  4. In the Field Source text box, type the expression for the field. Click the expression (fx) button to build an expression.

    Note

    The expression for a calculated field cannot contain aggregates or references to report items.

  5. Select OK.

To edit a query field or a dataset field

  1. In the Report Data pane, right-click the field, and then click Field Properties.

  2. In the Fields page of the Dataset Properties dialog box, click an existing field to select the row.

  3. Change the name of the field or the value of the field.

  4. Select OK.

To delete a query field or a calculated field

  1. In the Report Data pane, expand the dataset to display the field collection.

  2. Right-click the field you want to remove, and then click Delete.

To refresh the field collection in the Report Data Pane for a shared dataset

  1. In the Report Data pane, right-click the dataset, and then click Query.

  2. Click Refresh Fields.

    On the report server, the shared dataset query runs and returns the current field collection.