Sql Server Reporting Services (SSRS) is a robust on-premises reporting platform that offers a suite of tools and services designed for creating, deploying, and managing paginated reports. If you are looking to implement SSRS, you can download SQL Server 2022 Reporting Services directly from the Microsoft Download Center and proceed with the installation of Reporting Services.
Note: If you are interested in Power BI Report Server, you can find more information in What is Power BI Report Server?.
Streamline Report Creation, Deployment, and Management with SSRS
SQL Server Reporting Services is engineered to ensure the seamless delivery of pertinent information to the intended recipients. Reports generated within SSRS can be accessed through various mediums, including web browsers on desktops and mobile devices, as well as via email subscriptions.
SSRS provides a comprehensive and updated product set:
- Paginated Reports: SSRS excels at creating pixel-perfect, paginated reports that are ideal for scenarios requiring precise layout control and print-ready outputs.
- Modern Web Portal: The SSRS web portal offers a contemporary interface for organizing and presenting both paginated reports and Key Performance Indicators (KPIs). It is accessible via any modern web browser and can also host Excel workbooks.
- Mobile Reports: Recognizing the shift towards mobile consumption, SSRS includes the capability to create mobile-optimized reports with responsive layouts that adapt dynamically to different screen sizes and orientations.
Delving into Paginated Reports
Paginated reports within SQL Server Reporting Services are specifically designed for documents with fixed layouts, making them highly suitable for formats like PDF and Word files that require precise formatting for printing and distribution. Leveraging tools such as Report Builder or Report Designer within SQL Server Data Tools (SSDT), users can develop sophisticated reports benefiting from recent enhancements:
- Refreshed Styles and Color Palettes: SSRS introduces updated visual styles and color schemes, enabling the creation of reports with a contemporary and minimalist aesthetic right out of the box.
- Enhanced Parameter Pane: The parameter pane has been redesigned to offer greater control over the arrangement of report parameters, improving user interaction and report customization.
- Expanded Export Formats: SSRS now supports exporting reports to PowerPoint, preserving live, editable visualizations, which enhances report sharing and presentation capabilities.
- Hybrid Integration with Power BI: For organizations utilizing both SSRS and Power BI, a hybrid approach is possible. Users can pin visualizations from SSRS reports directly to Power BI dashboards, providing a unified monitoring environment.
Exploring Mobile Reports
The rise of mobile computing has fundamentally changed data consumption habits, necessitating reporting solutions that are adaptable to mobile devices. Traditional fixed-layout reports are often ill-suited for tablets and smartphones due to their design focus on wide desktop screens.
To address this, SQL Server Reporting Services incorporates mobile reports, which feature responsive layouts that automatically adjust to varying device sizes and screen orientations. Built upon Datazen technology, these mobile reports ensure optimal data presentation regardless of the viewing device. Existing Datazen reports can even be migrated to SSRS using the SQL Server Migration Assistant for Datazen.
Mobile reports are created using the Mobile Report Publisher application. Users can access their data, whether it resides in Power BI, cloud platforms, or SSRS itself, through Power BI apps for mobile devices across Windows, iOS, Android, and HTML5 platforms.
The Mobile Report Publisher offers a practical feature: it dynamically generates sample data as visualizations are constructed. This real-time preview allows report designers to immediately assess data presentation and select the most effective visualization types for their specific data.
Navigating the Web Portal
The central access point for SQL Server Reporting Services is its modern web portal, a complete evolution of the traditional Report Manager. This web portal serves as a unified hub for all SSRS reports and KPIs. KPIs are presented directly within the browser, offering immediate insights into key business metrics without requiring users to open individual reports.
The web portal is designed as a streamlined, single-page HTML5 application, ensuring compatibility across major web browsers like Microsoft Edge, Internet Explorer (10 and 11), Chrome, Firefox, and Safari. It provides a centralized location to access and manage all SSRS content, organized by content type:
- Paginated reports
- KPIs
- Excel workbooks
- Shared datasets
- Shared data sources
- Mobile reports
Content within the web portal is securely managed using a familiar folder hierarchy. Users can tag frequently accessed reports as favorites for quick retrieval. With appropriate permissions, users can administer and manage all SSRS content, including scheduling report processing, accessing reports on demand, and subscribing to published reports for automated delivery.
For further details, refer to The web portal of a report server – SSRS Native mode.
SharePoint Integrated Mode in Reporting Services
SQL Server Reporting Services offers the flexibility to publish reports in SharePoint integrated mode. This integration allows leveraging SharePoint’s collaborative environment for report management and distribution. Features supported in this mode include scheduled report processing, on-demand report access, subscriptions to reports, and export capabilities to formats like Microsoft Excel. Furthermore, data alerts can be configured on reports published to SharePoint, enabling email notifications when report data meets predefined conditions.
For comprehensive information, see Reporting Services report server in SharePoint integrated mode.
Programming Capabilities of Reporting Services
SSRS provides extensive programming features that allow developers to extend and customize reporting functionalities. The SSRS APIs facilitate integration with custom applications, enabling programmatic control over data and report processing workflows.
To delve deeper into development aspects, consult the Reporting Services developer documentation.
