Improving the functionality of reports
Designing a report and making it function better relies on getting it fundamentally right. This recipe will cover some simple steps, which when implemented, can help design a better, faster, and more reliable report.
How to do it…
- Use query: Opt to use a query-based report over an RDP-based report wherever possible, and use RDP only if there is a compulsion to use business logic for the query.
- Use SSRS for totals: Use the totals functions in SSRS to run totals, and don't calculate them in the RDP logic.
- Use relations in RDP: Create relations in an RDP table to get automatic drill through in reports.
- Make parameters optional: Remember to set Allow blank to True and Nullable to True for optional report parameters.
- Use Run on property for menu item: In the menu item that invokes a report, make sure the property is set to Called from, otherwise it may not be invoked from a batch process.
- Use SSRSReportStr: When specifying the design in reports, avoid...
