How to Create a Reporting Services 2005/2008 Template
At most large companies one business requirement is that all reports have the same look and feel. This may vary by department, but there is typically some level of standardization amongst the ...
View ArticleSQL Server 2008: Table-valued parameters
A new feature of SQL Server 2008 is Table-valued parameters (TVP). This feature will allow Developers and DBAs to pass tables as parameters to stored procedures. You cannot pass a variable table ...
View ArticleLinear Gauge Control: A Practical Use
SQL Server Reporting Services 2008 introduced several new features. One key feature was the inclusion of the Gauge Controls. I was recently asked to provide a real-world example of the ...
View ArticleSSIS - Single Package Deployment from BIDs
I have read several articles about deploying SSIS packages. Most focus on using the deployment wizard or simply copying the files and their dependent properties onto the server. For companies ...
View ArticleDeploying Reports on Windows Seven
Recently I tried to deploy a report to a Report Server on my laptop, which is running Windows 7 Ultimate. Unfortunately I received the following error: The permissions granted to user ...
View ArticleIncremental Loads with Change Data Capture – Part 1: Enabling Change Data...
In this series of articles I will show you how to incrementally load a Slowly Changing Dimension with the new SQL Server 2008 feature, Change Data Capture (CDC). Over the next few articles I ...
View Article2010 First Quarter Goals
I have been reading several blog postings about 2010 goals. First, I want to applaud all of you for setting goals for the entire year. Moreover, I would like to say that I admire those that can ...
View ArticleHandling Database Mirror Failover within an SSIS Package
Recently I was asked how to handle a Mirrored Database Failover within an SSIS package. For those of us that don’t write connection strings and simply use Graphical User Interfaces (GUI) to ...
View ArticleSSRS Data Driven Subscriptions Cryptic Job Names
When you create and schedule a Data Driven Subscription for a SQL Server Reporting Services (SSRS) report a job is created with a very meaningless name. The name is actually a uniqueidentifier ...
View ArticleScripting Indexes
I was recently reading a blog posting on BIDN , Scripting Indexes with Filters and schemas . In the posting the author explained the challenges of trying to script only indexes using ...
View ArticleSet your Warehouse Database to Read Only
In most environments new data is added to the data warehouse daily, weekly or even monthly. Even further, these changes typically occur during the ETL process. This means that most of the ...
View ArticleTechnet and MSDN coming to Baton Rouge
On March 4 th Microsoft will be hosting two half-day events in Baton Rouge, LA. These free live learning sessions will explore the latest technologies that you can apply immediately. ...
View ArticleReporting Services - Disable Loop Back Check
I have been installing and configuring SSRS since the initial release. I have always encountered several different caveats when upgrading to a newer version or adding a new server to a scale-out ...
View ArticleReporting Services Switch Function
Recently a client requested to create a Reporting Services expression that emulated the CASE WHEN statement from T-SQL. The expression would use the selected parameter value to dynamically set the ...
View ArticleFree SQL Server Webinar Series
Are you new to SQL Server? Do you want to learn about its many features and capabilities? If so, please join me and many other SQL professionals for a series of SQL Server 101 webinars next ...
View ArticleSQL Server 2008 - Adding Row Totals
During a recent client engagement I was asked if there was a quick way to add a row containing totals for each corresponding column in the details row from a Tablix item. The tablix contained about ...
View ArticleSSRS – KPIs without Analysis Services
During a recent project I was asked if it was possible to simulate Key Performance Indicator (KPI) images in SQL Server Reporting Services (SSRS) without Analysis Services. Off the top of my head I ...
View ArticleUsing a CTE with a T-SQL Pivot Statement
During a T-SQL class that I was recently teaching I was asked if a PIVOT could be performed using a Common Table Expression (CTE). In other words, instead of using the method outlined in SQL ...
View ArticleMinimizing Fragmentation when Moving data using a Switch
Yesterday was the first day of the SQL Server 2008 R2 airlift. I attended a great session on Implementing a Fast Track Data Warehouse. Lots of really interesting information was discussed ...
View ArticleSSRS - Formatting Mutiple Columns
Often when designing reports you are required to apply the same formatting to multiple columns in one table or matrix. Since SSRS 2008 does not allow the developer to change the format of a column ...
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