Published on

August 21, 2006

SQL Server Concepts: Creating a Simple Report with MS Reporting Services

Are you interested in learning how to create a simple report using MS Reporting Services? In this article, we will guide you through the step-by-step process of creating a report and hosting it with a Smart Client application. Whether you are a beginner or have some experience with report writing, this article will provide you with the necessary information to get started.

Step 1: Create a Windows Application Project

The first step in creating a report is to create a Windows Application (Smart Client) project. This can be done by selecting File -> New -> Project and choosing C# from the Project Types pane. Then, select Windows Application for Visual C# projects and provide a unique name for your project. Once the project is created, you can start working on it using the Forms Designer.

Step 2: Add Report Viewer to the Form

The next step is to add a Report Viewer control to the form. The Report Viewer control is used to preview and generate reports. You can drag and drop the Report Viewer control from the Toolbox onto the form. Set the reportViewer1.Dock property to Fill to make the control fill the entire surface of the form for report display purposes.

Step 3: Add a DataSet to the Project

After adding the Report Viewer control, you need to add a DataSet to the project. The DataSet holds and provides the raw data from the data source to be processed and ready to be outputted on the Smart Client interface. You can add a DataSet by selecting Add -> New Item -> DataSet from the Solution Explorer. Then, add a DataTable to the DataSet by double-clicking on the DataSet and right-clicking on the designer surface to add a DataTable. Add the necessary columns to the DataTable and specify the data types.

Step 4: Add a Report to the Project

Once the foundation is set, it’s time to create the report. You can add a report to the project by selecting Add -> New Item -> Report from the Solution Explorer. Design the report by adding a header, body, and footer section. Use controls like TextBox, Line, and Table to design the report layout. Specify the data source for the report and add expressions to display dynamic data.

Step 5: Write C# Code to Bring the Report to Life

The final step is to write C# code to populate the report with data and display it in the Report Viewer control. This involves establishing a connection to the database, retrieving the data, and binding it to the report. You can use ADO.NET to accomplish this. Finally, refresh the Report Viewer control to display the report.

By following these steps, you can create a simple report using MS Reporting Services and host it with a Smart Client application. This article provides a basic overview of the process, but there are many more advanced features and techniques that you can explore. We encourage you to refer to the MSDN documentation for more detailed information.

Thank you for reading this article. We hope it has provided you with a good understanding of how to create a report using MS Reporting Services. If you have any comments or suggestions, please feel free to reach out to us. Happy reporting!

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