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SQL Server Reporting Services (SSRS) reports

What is SSRS?

SSRS stands for SQL Server Reporting Services. It is a reporting tool developed by Microsoft that comes free with the SQL Server. It produces formatted reports with the tables of data, graph, and reports. Reports are hosted on a server and can be configured to run using parameters supplied by users. When we run the reports, the current data appears from the database, XML file or other data source. It provides the security features that controls who can see which reports.

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What is Data visualization?

Data visualization is the virtual access to the data that we have. A well-designed data can be a graph, charts or a report, and visual representation of the data is the simplest and most powerful representation of any data. For example, I am a Business Analyst, so I am used in working with the numbers since I have started, but if I want to show the information with respect to the business to the owner, then I need to provide the visual representation of a data which is easier to understand.

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Why do we need visualization?

Nowadays, we create close to 2.5 Quintillion bytes of data every day, which is a huge set of data. We need to understand what this data means, so we need the data to get into a visual format. Data visualization is preferred as our eyes perceive better than our reading. The main purpose of data visualization is that the human mind understands the data better than reading. A human can analyze the data or information through charts and graphs better than analyzing the data using spreadsheets. Data visualization is a quick and easy way to convey concepts in a universal manner.

Data visualization is useful because of the following reasons:

• It helps you to identify the areas that need more improvement or attention.
• It also helps you to identify the factors that influence customer behavior.
• It is also used to predict sales volumes.

Create and modify reports that use SSRS

Many pre-generated SSRS reports come out of the box with Finance and Operations apps. SSRS reports allow you to print reports to different locations, such as your screen, a printer, a file, or an email. You can use SSRS reports to create parameterized views with drill-down navigation. You can also embed hyperlinks from a report to Finance and Operations apps pages.

Additionally, you can schedule your reports to run periodically by using a batch job. SSRS reports can also help you create precise compliance documents for your local regulatory business. In addition to the out-of-the-box reports, you can create and modify additional reports by using X++ development to suit your organization's needs.

Design SSRS reports

When designing a report, consider the data that you need. SSRS reports can be appropriate if you need a high-volume, transaction-focused report. SSRS is great for documents that are meant for email, print, archive, and bulk distribution.

SSRS report design can use an auto design to determine the report layout, which is useful for simple reports. For more complex reports, you can use the precision designer, which uses a free-form design surface to customize the layout and content of the report. Fields and tables can be inserted and moved around freely, and you can adjust margins and spacing between fields. You can also add expressions to calculate totals, set fonts, add logos, and use labels to automatically translate any text.

After you have determined the report design, you can move on to creating a report.

Create SSRS reports

To create a report, you will need to use Microsoft Visual Studio and a Finance and Operations apps development environment. In Visual Studio, you will first create a new report object. Then, you will need to assign a data set to the report.

A data set defines what data is used in the report. In the data set parameters, you can select the data source for the data set and the data source type. The data source type explains how the data from the data source is retrieved.

The four data source types are:

• Query - Uses an existing Application Object Tree (AOT) query. Using an existing query allows for faster filtering of data in SQL to quickly generate reports and requires limited X++ code to develop. The only X++ code used is for the display methods in the tables.

• Business logic - Is used to get a data source other than Finance and Operations. The Business Logic data source type can only be used with a single report because the name of the class must match the name of the report.

• Report data provider (RDP) - Is used when a query cannot be used alone; additional logic is needed to run the report. This is usually the case when you use dynamic filters, when business classes must be called to use data, or if a parameter is used on the UI that is entered in X++ code.

• AX enum provider - Can be used to filter the report view when the report parameter is an enum type.

After the data set is created, you can set the report design by selecting an auto design (for simple reports) or a precision design (for more customized reports). After your report is finished, you will need to deploy the report. When you have deployed, your report is ready to run in Finance and Operations apps.

Modify SSRS reports

Occasionally, you might not need to create a new report. Instead, you can choose to modify an existing report by using the extensibility of X++ objects in Visual Studio. You can use extensions on tables or report data provider classes to add new columns. Additionally, you can extend menu items and other classes to redirect navigation to your custom designed reports. Extending your reports lets you make changes to existing reports without affecting the standard report solutions. This means that you will still be able to use your modified and standard report.

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