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Top 10 sql server reporting services tips
The document provides 15 tips for SQL Server Reporting Services. Some key tips include storing report colors in the database; getting buy-in to export reports to a single format like Excel or PDF; using views instead of tables to decouple datasets from the database; logging report executions; and spending time on report design elements like colors, fonts, and layout.
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Top 10 sql server reporting services tips
- 1. Top 10 SQLServer Reporting Services Tips By Ike Ellis The Monastery @ike_ellis www.the-monastery.com Blog.the-monastery.com http://www.linkedin.com/in/ikeellis
- 2. Tip #1: StoreColors in the Database • Colors = Business Logic • Put it in the database • Use Expressions to read the colors • Include action colors and levels • Demo
- 3. Tip #2: GetBuy-in to Export to Single Format • Build to export to a single format – Excel – Word – Web – PDF • Then get buy-in and make it a standard in the organization • Demo: Build to export to excel
- 4. Tip #3: Alias,Obscure, and De-couple • Use DNS CName Aliases for ConnectionStrings – If you can’t use that, then use the HOSTS file on the report server and on your dev machine – Or alias the client on the server and your dev machine • Use Views instead of tables and don’t hit the views directly in datasets
- 6. Tip #4: Log,Log, Log (and beware of subscriptions) select c.Name , e.InstanceName , e.UserName , e.Parameters , e.TimeStart , e.TimeEnd , e.TimeDataRetrieval , e.TimeProcessing , e.TimeRendering from executionlog e join catalog c on e.reportid = c.ItemID Send a Link, or a file on a shared folder that you can audit. Find someway to audit who opened the link or the file in the folder. Try to avoid sending the PDF without a way to audit it.
- 7. Tip #5: Createa Template • Create an ssrs template • Add execution date • Add execution parameters on report surface • Add who executed it • Create small fonts • Add business owner to the bottom • Add Default Database Connections/Variables Helps with troubleshooting, logging, report modification, and number matching
- 8. Tip #6: UsedLinked Reports to Manage Security • Allows you to use Role assignments and • Not have duplicate reports in folders • Not have users in folders they shouldn’t be in • Not manage security on individual reports • Demo
- 9. Tip #7: KeepReport Quantity Small • Too many reports means that there are more things to keep consistent • Reports that aren’t used, tend to get forgotten, and then used with bad data
- 10. Tip #8: Spend10 Minutes on Design • Spend 10 minutes on design (as opposed to the zero we typically spend) • Choose colors wisely • 99/100 - developers use the default color palette • HTML color picker websites – http://www.lavishbootstrap.com • MorgueFile – http://www.morguefile.com/
- 11. Tip #9: UseMulti-Value Parameter in T-SQL • Demo
- 12. Tip #10: TheMonastery Report Process • Maintain Balance – Form, Fit & Function • Know Your Audience – Give your user the right pictures, numbers & words for their needs – Use appropriate visual metaphors • Communicate Effectively which means Simplify • Use the Right Report Type – Use standard report styles – Keep them interesting • Make Data Actionable – Enable users to act on the information they receive
- 13. Tip #11: T-SQLTips • Use CONCAT instead of "+" • Use Try_cast instead of cast • Use Try_convert instead of convert • Use CTEs to link non-linkable data (like 10 ten employees with top 10 customers) • Demo
- 14. Tip #12: DashboardDesign Tips • "The most important information needs to be consumable in 5 seconds" - Paul • Know your audience - Your users think differently than you do. Some are visual, some textual, some more mathematical • Satisfy everyone in a good report dashboard
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- 16. Tip #13: ReportDesign Tips • Flat, non-bold colors • Avoid 3-D effects • Avoid default, out-of-the box styles • Match corporate color palates • Remember…this is what executives care about. This is how we make money • You don't need to label days of the week or months • You don't need the full year • You don't need a wide variety of colors…just shades of one color • You don't need borders or anything else that distracts the eye • Use darker colors when there's a warning • no fluff • thin fonts (Arial, segoe ui) • dim column headers • dim labels • one accent color • visualize rules • simple icons • Demo
- 17. Tip #14: Choosethe Right Chart • Pie charts don't really give you an action – They let you understand the contribution to a whole, but afterwards, there's really nothing left to understand – START THEM AT THE TOP, NOT THE RIGHT, SO IT LOOKS LIKE A CLOCK • time = spark line = shows changes over time without a comparison to other categories • categories = bars • sequence = lines • Spark lines instead of series – collapse a bunch of yearly data into a sparkline…and then let them see it when you expand • correlation = scatter chart • Look at bullet graphs
- 18. Tip #15: Formatin the database • Store formats in the database and use common formats • Or add them as hidden parameters in the report template
- 19. Ike Ellis • TheMonastery • http://blog.the-monastery.com • http://www.the-monastery.com • YouTube • SQL Pass Book Readers • San Diego Tech Immersion Group • @ike_ellis • 619.922.9801 • Email address is just my first name @the- monastery.com.