55123 Writing Reports with Report Builder and SSRS Level 1

In this 2-day course, students will continue their learning on the foundations of report writing with Microsoft® SQL Server® Report Builder and SSRS. The focus will be on report writing by connecting to a database and manipulating the data for presentation including: creating table and matrix reports, formatting reports, grouping report data, creating simple and complex expressions, displaying aggregated data, sorting and filtering data, charting data, and preparing reports for printing and exporting. Report Builder 3.0 is available for Microsoft® SQL Server® versions 2014, 2012, and 2008 R2.

Audience Profile

The primary audience for this course are persons who are new to reporting with Microsoft® SQL Server® Report Builder and SSRS, persons who are transitioning from another reporting software application, and persons who are existing Report Builder and SSRS report authors.

The secondary audience for this course are persons who are using Report Designer (SSRS).

Course participants may be business analysts, programmer analysts, data analysts, database administrators, or IT professionals and may or may not have experience with Microsoft® SQL Server® Report Builder and SSRS, programming (Visual Basic), and/or Transact-Structured Query Language (T-SQL) experience.

At Course Completion

Navigate the Report Builder Environment.
Create table reports.
Format reports.
Create basic and complex expressions.
Group report data.
Create matrix reports.
Sort and filter data.
Summarize data with charts.
Print and export reports.

Course Details:

Module 1: Exploring the Report Builder Environment

This module introduces the Report Builder application and its features. You will explore the Ribbon and its Tabs, Command groups, and Commands, the available Window panes for creating and manipulating reports, and the report design surface using Design and Run modes.

Lessons

Introducing the Report Builder Environment
Working with Existing Reports

Lab 1: Exploring the Report Builder Application

Navigating the Ribbon and Window panes
View Existing Reports in Design and Run modes

After completing this module, students will be able to:

Describe and navigate the graphical elements of the Report Builder application.
Work with existing reports and navigate between Design and Run modes.

Module 2: Adding Data to Table Reports

This module introduces how to populate a report with data and display that data in a table data region on the report. We will begin with defining the data source and continue with query building through data sets to bring data into the report. Next, we will explore the elements of the tablix data region including rows, columns, cells, handles, and field choosers, you will use in displaying your data.

Lessons

Create Report Data Sources
Create Report Datasets
Work with the Tablix Data Region
Create a Table Report

Lab 1: Creating Table Reports

Create Queries Using the Report Builder Query Designer
Create a Table Report Using a Single Table
Create Table Relationships Using Query Designer
Create a Table Report Using Multiple Tables

After completing this module, students will be able to:

Create report data sources.
Create report datasets.
Work with the tablix data region.
Create a table report

Module 3: Formatting Data and Creating Expressions in Reports

This module introduces report formatting techniques which allow a report writer to control how and where data displays in the report. Additional data may also be required and this can be accomplished by adding data from a source or adding a calculated field to the dataset. Simple and complex epressions will also be introduced in this topic.

Lessons

Formatting Reports
Sorting and Filtering Report Data
Adding Data to a Dataset
Creating Simple Expressions
Creating Complex Expressions

Lab 1: Formatting Reports

Format Tablix Columns
Format Data in a Tablix Cell Using Properties
Format Data in a Tablix Cell Using Simple and Complex Expressions
Sort Data Using Expressions
Use Simple and Complex Expressions to Display Data in a Tablix

After completing this module, students will be able to:

Format data in a report using the Report Builder Properties dialog boxes.
Add data to a report and make changes to column names in the dataset query.
Format data in a report using simple and complex expressions.
Display data in a report using simple and complex expressions.

Module 4: Grouping Report Data

This module introduces data groupings in reports using dataset fields and using expressions. This module also discusses group hierarchies and adding aggregates to summarize grouped data.

Lessons

Group Data in Reports
Group Data Using an Expression
Creating Subgroups and Group Aggregates

Lab 1: Creating Reports with Groups and Aggregates

Display Grouped Data in a Report
Create a Group Hierarchy in a Report
Group Data Using a Complex Expression
Add Aggregates to Tablix Rows
Configuring a Reference Image

After completing this module, students will be able to:

Group data in reports using fields.
Group data in reports using expressions.
Create group hierarchies.
Aggregate grouped data in a report.

Module 5: Matrix Reports

This module introduces matrix data regions which are used in reports to control how crosstabular data can be used. While table reports rely on rows and columns, matrix reports rely on row groupings, column groupings, and aggregated values.

Lessons

Creating and Modifying Matrix Data Regions
Creating and Modifying Column Groups

Lab 1: Creating Matrix Reports

Create Matrix Reports
Create Column Groups
Use Expressions to Sort Group Data
Use Expressions to Display Group Names
Create Matrix Reports with Group Hierarchies

After completing this module, students will be able to:

Describe the key features of using a matrix in a report.
Create and modify matrix reports.
Define column group hierarchies.
Use expressions to define matrix headings and sort orders.

Module 6: Charts

This module introduces the ability to create and add charts to reports. Whether through wizard or individual effort, chart reports or charts as report components allow us to visualize data with or without the details.

Lessons

Create and Modify Chart Wizard Reports
Add Charts to Existing Reports
Modify Charts in Reports

Lab 1: Creating Charts and Chart Reports

Create a Chart Wizard Report
Add a Chart to an Existing Report
Format Chart Elements
Use Expressions in Charts

After completing this module, students will be able to:

Describe the key features of charts.
Create charts using the Chart Wizard and the Ribbon.
Modify chart data and the formatting of chart elements.
Use expressions in charts.

Module 7: Printing and Exporting Reports

This module introduces report printing and exporting. Reports can be created for electronic display, paper display, or display in another application. This module covers the basics of those three scenarios.

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