The SQL server allows you to perform database reports with its inbuilt SSRS or SQL Server Reporting Services. It is a free service that helps you create reports with charts, images, graphs, and other features. It is a sub-system of the server, and you can make printed, mobile, and graphical reports. Note that the SQL server is an RDBMS (Relational Database Management System) platform. It supports business intelligence, transaction processing, and analytics applications.
You have the option to install SSRS as a stand-alone installation; however, to do so, you should have an account with administrative privileges. Second, you note that from whatever account this SSRS configuration is run after the installation should be granted permission to make a report on the SQL server. The default directories of ReportServer and Reports are virtual, and they are created automatically during the installation process. Besides the above, Port 80 becomes the default port for the SSRS site.
How can you start with SQL reports?
You need database reports for information. This information can only be for you as a database administrator. You might need to share its details with others that are related to the database. First, you should be aware of the SQL server and have some experience under your belt when it comes to starting with database reports.
There is a report builder located in the SQL server. It offers you several options to select from when you are making reports; however, if you receive some key tips on optimizing this tool and the factors you should consider when you are creating the report, it will be of great help. Note that in any report builder, you successfully can make reports that are rich in content with good features that will give you a summary of everything stored in your database. However, before you make the report, you first need to plan on what you want to include in it, so the following practical tips will come in handy to make it better. Read on to know what they are-
1. Report Format
This is the first factor to consider when making a report of the SQL database. Experts in the above state that the way you wish to make the report appear or look is one of the most important concepts that you first need to understand and a later plan. You can make them online with a browser that has a web portal for reporting services, or you can select to export them to different formats of files as you desire. In short, you need to ensure that the format of your report created finally should contain all the salient features you require as you will never find all these features in all of the report formats available to you.
2. Structure of the report
You should know how you want to structure the database report. Do you want the report to be free from any structure? Or, do you prefer having tables, charts, matrix, or a combination of them for presenting the report to the end-users? You also have the choice of highlighting specific information with the aid of objects like lines, images, text boxes, and more. This will make it simpler for the end-user to understand and navigate through your report better.
3. Filters for the report
You can choose the report's data that should be visible to the end-user with the application of specific filters. With filters, you can know the areas of your report that are available at the right time and where. You can select parameters for filtering your reports for the specific area you have chosen for your end-user to view.
4. Calculations
Do you want to use the calculations you make in the report? There are instances where you will not be able to find the precise fields that you wish to use in the database report you are creating. To make sure that your data sources and datasets are in the right fields, you need to deploy the calculated fields created by you. Here, you can add, multiply, divide, or subtract a specific field from another field in the report table. For the option of conditioning formatting, you can use Expressions with advanced features.
5. Delivery of database reports
Experienced professionals from credible database administration companies, RemoteDBA.com, say that you should know how you wish to deliver the server reports that you have made. You can save the report you have created on the local computer, as this works very well if you need to refer to it for information. However, if you wish to share the database report you have created with others, ensure to save it in the report server that you share- the one with the configuration in the native mode. You also have the option of sharing the report you have created in the integrated model of SharePoint. If you share and save the database report on the server, you provide access to others to refer to it as and when needed.
In case you are solely accountable for the SQL database in your company, make sure that you invest in a useful SQL Database Fix Tool. This tool will ensure that your data is wholly saved when there are challenging instances of regular backup and restore method failures in the organization. This tool can save all of your data when the standard procedures are unable to do so. It will also help you identify specific errors and problems that you face in the database.
Therefore, when you create a database report for your SQL server, ensure that you give the above points due consideration. In this way, you can create an accurate report as you want for your information only or share it with others.
This is a Guest Post by Kristen Smith, a web developer and experienced professional in database management and administration. She says you must deploy credible companies like RemoteDBA.com to help you maintain and secure any database system with success!
