Here’s a short PowerShell script that :
1. Connects to your report server
2. Creates the same folder structure you have in your Report Server
3. Download all the SSRS Report Definition (RDL) files into their respective folders

In addition to backing up your Source Project, your ReportServer database, or good old RSScripter (see http://sqlserver-indo.org/blogs/mca/archive/2009/03/08/extract-and-transfer-rdl-files-from-ssrs.aspx) this is just another way you can “backup” or archive your reports.
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Just a short tidbit on how to list your ReportServer Items using PowerShell

#note this script is tested on PowerShell v2 and SSRS 2008 R2
 
$ReportServerUri = "http://yourserver/ReportServer/ReportService2005.asmx";
$Proxy = New-WebServiceProxy -Uri $ReportServerUri -Namespace SSRS.ReportingService2005 -UseDefaultCredential ;
 
#check out all members of $Proxy
#$Proxy | Get-Member
#http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/aa225878(v=SQL.80).aspx
 
$items = $Proxy.ListChildren("/", $true);
 
$items | select Type, Path, ID, Name | sort-object Type, Name

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Just another handy code snippet for generating dates for date dimensions in your data warehouse.

I am providing just the select statement here, but to generate (massive) date records, just create and set your start and end date variables, and enclose your insert and the code below in your WHILE loop.

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Your report is only as good as your requirements.

When I first worked with reports and reporting services, I was excited and giddy. Beside my plain old text and T-SQL, I now get to work with some shapes and colors! And look ma, no hands, err, it’s drag and drop!

But the fascination with colors, drilldowns, drillthroughs, what-have-yous fade away as quickly as that drag and drop. You realize fast that – although managers typically like the pie charts, the drill downs, the colored legends – if any number, or any minor thing for that matter, is not “right”, the whole report is not right, and all your work really goes down the drain.

Sometimes, it’s not because the report is “completely wrong”.
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Just a few queries against the ReportServer database that might come in handy…
Of course, these are just some sample queries. Tune and modify according to your needs …
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I would like to say a huge and warm thank you to all who attended my sessions for SQLSaturday#43 in Redmond. It was such a great event, and I hope you enjoyed the sessions – and enjoyed the whole day with all the wonderful speakers.

As promised here are the files for my sessions:
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These two books are great, and they almost never leave my desk. I’ve been reading them nonstop.

Prologika Press. Applied Microsoft SQL Server 2008 Reporting Services by Teo Lachev

Microsoft SQL Server Reporting Services Recipes: for Designing Expert Reports by Paul Turley and Robert M. Bruckner

SQL Server Reporting Services 2008 R2 (based on November CTP) has received a makeover! It looks more SharePoint-ish, especially with its new blue theme, contextual dropdowns, and ajaxified operations. I quite like the changes, this definitely feels more “user friendly” to me.

Download document/screenshots: Exploring SQL Server 2008 Reporting Services R2 Report Manager

Report Manager – Home Page

The new theme is easy on the eyes. When you hover over the items, whether it’s a folder or a file, there will be a contextual dropdown. Feels very much like SharePoint (2010).

Report Manager – Site Settings

On the Site Settings page, you have General Properties, Security and Schedule.

Report Manager – Data Source Properties

Data Source Properties page looks familiar, with the exception of Dependent Items. Dependent Items page will list all items (reports, data sets) that use this particular Data Source.

Report Manager – Search

Yes, you can now search in SSRS Report Manager! Type in your keyword, and away you go! It will find your report, your data set, your folder, or even your report part.

Report Manager – Report Contextual Dropdown

If you have worked with SSRS in Integrated Mode in SharePoint, the contextual dropdown in the revamped Report Manager will look familiar. When you hover over a report item and click on the down arrow, you will be able to move, delete, edit in Report Builder 3.0, and explore other properties, to name a few.

Report Manager – Report Properties

If you clicked on “Manage” in the contextual dropdown of a report item, you will be taken to this page. Note that on the left column, you have links for : properties, data sources, shared data sets, subscriptions, processing options, cache refresh options, report history, snapshot, and security.

Report Manager – Shared Data Set Properties

Finally there is a way to share data sets among reports!

Report Manager – Shared Data Set Caching Properties

And yes, you can also cache these shared data sets.

To infinity and beyond

(You can tell I’m waiting for Toy Story 3) .. I’m excited to work with SSRS 2008 R2. Besides changes in the Report Manager, there’s quite a few more exciting additions. In my next few blogs I will post some mini tutorials on creating spark lines, data bars, indicators and map integration.

Download document/screenshots: Exploring SQL Server 2008 Reporting Services R2 Report Manager