Inventory SQL Servers with CLR Function
In an enterprise with several SQL Server instances it is pivotal that you keep track of each instance and its corresponding properties. Properties such as, name, version, service pack level, is it ...
View ArticleParameterized Report using a Stored Procedure
Download Sample Project: Parameterized Report In a recent forum post on BIDN.com a person asked how to filter the result on the report based on a stored procedure parameter. Since a short ...
View ArticleInsert Unknown Row to Dimension Table
When building a warehouse there is a common practice of adding an Unknown row to the Dimension tables. For me, this is a monotonous task that I hate doing. I was recently on a project that had a ...
View ArticleSSRS R2 - Naming Excel Worksheet Tabs
I was recently asked if it was possible to name an excel tab based on a page in a reporting service report. Honestly, I did not know if it was possible. My initial response was, I don’t think so. ...
View ArticleMDX Puzzle #1
MDX Puzzle #1 Recently, I embarked on a mission to become proficient at writing MDX queries. This is a challenge, as many of you may already know. MDX, though a query language, is very ...
View ArticleMDX Puzzle #1 Solution
OK, are you ready to start the MDX journey. In MDX Puzzle #1 posting I presented you with the challenge of writing an MDX query based on the requirements that I outlined in that posting. In ...
View ArticleMDX Puzzle #2
Now that we have our feet wet, let’s get started with the next puzzle. In this puzzle we will write a query that returns Percentage Growth Year over Year. For example, if sales were $258,056 in ...
View ArticleSQL Server MVP - Are you kidding me?
I received an email today stating that I had been selected as a Microsoft SQL Server MVP for 2010. This is my first MVP award and I am elated to become part of such a distinguished group. What a ...
View ArticleMDX Puzzle #2 Solution
MDX Puzzle #2 Solution Download Script This puzzle was a little more challenging than the first, but it was definitely fun and a good learning experience. It introduced a new method that ...
View ArticleMDX Puzzle #3
The next puzzle comes from a BIDN.com forum post. Here are the requirements: Columns: Internet Order Quantity and Percentage Of Total (Calculation) Rows: Product Filter: Return only the ...
View ArticleMDX Puzzle #3 Solution
Download Script Sorry that it’s taken me so long to write this post, but I have been a little busy with the SQL Lunch . I am back now, so let’s solve this puzzle. This puzzle ...
View ArticleSQL Server 2008 R2 for the DBA Webcast
Tomorrow at 11:00 AM EST I will be giving a talk on SQL Server 2008 R2 for the DBA. Here is the description: Microsoft SQL Server 2008 provides a number of enhancements and new functionality, ...
View ArticleSQL Server 2008 R2 for the DBA Recording and PowerPoint
I recently had the opportunity to do two presentation on SQL Server R2 for the DBA. In the first session there were approximately 150 attendees and at the second there were approximately 400 ...
View ArticleMDX Puzzle #4
This puzzle is rather simple, but it does introduce a few new things. Using T-SQL you typically filter queries with a WHERE clause. You can also do the same with MDX, but just like T-SQL there are ...
View Article2010 3rd Quarter Goals
Now that we are into the third quarter of 2010 I decided to post an update of my 2nd quarter goals and post goals for the 3rd quarter. If you all have been following my blog or me on twitter ...
View ArticleMDX Puzzle #4 - Solution
This puzzle may not have been much of a challenge, but it introduced two new MDX concepts. I have to admit, one of my colleagues and I chatted about this puzzle, and I realized that my requirements ...
View ArticleMDX Puzzle #5
Writing YTD totals and Running totals using T-SQL can take a little effort. However, with MDX it's not too difficult. In this puzzle I will write an MDX statement that produces a monthly YTD or ...
View ArticleMDX Puzzle #5 - Solution
Again I want to apologize for the slow posting of the solution to this puzzle, but I have been hard at work on SQL Saturday #28 . Fortunately, I carved out some time to write it up. The solution ...
View ArticleSQL Reporting Services - Line Graph with a Vertical Bar
So, I was recently asked if you could display a vertical bar on a line graph to denote the last day of the month. Initially, I had no clue how to solve this problem. I talked to a couple of people ...
View ArticleMDX Puzzle #6
As we continue with the puzzles, I will continue to introduce new MDX functions. In this puzzle the requirements are as follows: Columns : Reseller Sales Amount Rows : Product Subcategories ...
View ArticleMDX Puzzle #6 - Solution
Puzzle #6 should not have presented too much of a challenge, it's intentions were to introduction you to the ORDER function that is available in MDX. Ok, so this is what I started with: ...
View ArticleMDX Puzzle #7
I have presented you with a couple of easy puzzles in the last few posts. So, let's step it up a little with one that is a little more challenging. I have to be honest, this puzzle was sent to me ...
View ArticleMDX Puzzle #7 - Solution
Puzzle #7 had an interesting twist. You were required to add a column to the result set that dynamically displayed a currency type based on the existing currency code. As always, there are a ...
View ArticleWhere do you get your motivation and drive?
I was asked by someone the other day, where do you get your drive and motivation? For a second, I was stumped. After giving it a little thought I realized that my drive has several sources. The ...
View ArticleSSIS: Assign a value to Variable using Dataflow Script task
I am not quite sure how many of you have tried to set or change the value of a variable using an SSIS script task, but if you have tried I am sure that you may have ran into a few road blocks. ...
View ArticleMaintain Change Data Capture Configuration when restoring a database
I have been working with a several clients that are leveraging Change Data Capture (CDC) as a tool for incrementally loading their Data Warehouse. In most cases the clients are using database ...
View ArticleSpeaking at the Houston Techfest
I am heading down to Houston, TX to speak at the Houston Techfest this weekend. Being a Houston native makes this trip even more exciting. This is a free event that offers a diverse set of ...
View ArticleWhy do I contribute to the SQL Server Community?
As an active speaker and volunteer in the SQL Server community I am often asked why do I do it? Sometimes, I actually ask myself that question, but when I think about how the community as a whole ...
View ArticleMDX Puzzles (New Author)
Well I am sure most of you noticed that I haven't posted an MDX puzzle in some time. After much consideration I have decided to pass the torch to someone that I feel will devote the time needed to ...
View ArticleTechEd: Session Preference Survey
TechEd has listed some potential sessions for TechEd North America 2011 here: http://northamerica.msteched.com/sessionpreference?fbid=I1Ydc71JM4a. They want to know which sessions you are ...
View Article2011.....So (long pause), what's next for me?
I've actually sat down to write this blog several times. I am never indecisive when it comes to my thoughts or my writings. Most of the time I just write what I feel. For some reason this post ...
View ArticleThe Many Faces of SQL Server
Well, one of my goals this year was to focus on branding myself a little more. So I decided to launch www.patrickdleblanc.com . My wife hates the site. She hates it because she thinks it is ...
View ArticleSecond Book Available for Pre-Order
Over the past six months I have writing chapters for my next book. The book is titled SharePoint 2010 Business Intelligence 24-Hour Trainer . This was a group effort with a bunch of us ...
View ArticleSSIS: Custom Folder in your Package Store
Recently at SQL Saturday #57 – Houston I explained how to add a custom folder to your SSIS package store. I promised to provide the steps in my blog on how to do this. So, here you go. First, ...
View ArticleSpeaking at the Houston SQL Server Users Group
Since I am working at a client this week in Houston, I begged Nancy Hide Wilson (President Houston SQL Server Users Group) to let me speak at her monthly Users Group meeting. Fortunately, she did ...
View ArticlePresentations: Slides and Demos
Over the past couple of weeks I have given several presentations. At each presentation I have promised to post the slides and demos for each. Well finally here they are. I want to apologize for ...
View ArticleI travel, I work, I EAT
As most of you know I am a consultant with Pragmatic Works , which requires me to travel a bit. During my travels I encounter new people, new places and what I realized recently new food. I am ...
View ArticleSSRS: My Filter is not Working!!!
I rarely use filters in my SSRS reports. However, this was a client requirement. When we attempted to use the filter to our surprise it did not work. The actual problem involved using a table ...
View ArticleSSRS: Shared DataSet, Not So Shared!!!
I was really excited about the concept of Shared DataSets when they were introduced. My excitement diminished a little when I ran into a small issue. When you create an embedded data set based on ...
View ArticleReport Builder: Change Report Server Connection
A question that I have been asked quite often is, “How can I change the Report Server that I am connected to in Report Builder?” I never really thought about it until then. To change the connection ...
View ArticleWHERE HAVE YOU BEEN, patrick leblanc????
Ok, so what have I been up to? Well a lot has changed for me over the past couple of months, primarily my job. Initially I wasn’t going to blog about this, but after a couple of ...
View ArticleSSRS 2008 R2: How to dynamically size your INDICATORS
The indicators that are available in SQL 2008R2 adds great visualizations to your reports. I was recently building an SSRS demonstration and I stumbled upon an additional feature that makes the ...
View ArticleSSRS 2008 R2: Show Column Meta-Data in ToolTip
First, I want to apologize to the three people that read my blog. Sorry for going dark for such a long period of time. I am not going to commit to writing on a regular basis just yet, but I will ...
View ArticleSSRS 2008 R2: Implementing Row-level Security
When working at large organizations with several users, managing security using Windows or SQL authentication could be challenging. However, there are a couple of solutions that can be used to ...
View ArticleSQL Server 2012 SSIS – Why is my toolbox empty?
So recently I was doing a demonstration using the new SQL 2012 SSIS running in Visual Studio 2010. I needed to open my toolbox, of course I went to the menu bar selected View > Toolbox. To my ...
View ArticleSSIS 2012: Project Reference
One of the less advertised enhancements of SSIS in SQL Server 2012 is the Project Reference type available when using the Execute Package task. Open the Execute Package Task Editor and ...
View ArticleFree Business Intelligence Workshop
If you are in and around Dallas next week drop by my FREE half-day Business Intelligence workshop. The details are below: Unlock your Data with the Microsoft Business ...
View ArticlePowerView: Coordinating Chart Colors
During a recent customer engagement I was asked if it was possible to ensure that the colors in a Line Graph for a particular value would be the same color for the same value on a Bar Chart. ...
View ArticleAlwaysOn: Configuring Secondary Read-Only Access
Now that you have AlwaysOn configured and your first Availability Group (AG) created, it’s time to start leveraging those secondary replicas. The first step is to set the connection access for ...
View ArticleHow to Create Reporting Services 2012 Report Templates
When I started writing this blog I realized it has been several months since my last post. I guess that is what happens when you try to write two books at the same time. Oh well, on to the ...
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