Reporting Services Authoring Tips and Tricks Part I

Shane Risk Business Intelligence Consultant

Agenda
Time 8:30 9:00 9:00 10:00 Topic Breakfast SSRS Overview New Features Architectural Improvements Scale-out / Scale-up Break SSRS Authoring Tips & Tricks Part I Enhanced Data Visualization Tablix for Flexible Report Layout Chart Types and Recommendations Reporting using Relational vs. Cubes Lunch & Open Discussion Q&A SSRS Authoring Tips & Tricks Part II Microsoft Reporting Options Drill Through Navigation Expression-Based Formatting Report Builder v2.0 Report Delivery & Options Break SSRS and Portals Tips & Tricks Portal Development using SharePoint and Integrated SSRS Report Center - Report Library & Data Connection Library (MOSS e-CAL) Building dashboards (based WSS/MOSS Std CAL vs. MOSS e-CAL (PPS) Combining SSRS w/ other report types (MOSS e-CAL XL Services, PPS ACs/AGs, ProClarity) 10:00 10:15 10:15 11:45

11:45 1:00 1:00 2:30

2:30 2:45 2:45 4:15

4:15 4:30

Wrap-up and Giveaways

SSRS Tips and Tricks

Enhanced Data Visualization
Tablix for Flexible Report Layouts

Chart Types and Recommendations

Visualization Best Practices

Relational vs. OLAP Reporting

Enhanced Data Visualization

Enhanced Data Visualization

Sparkline Chart

Sparkline
Perfect for dashboards
Compact Concise

Provides context Can link to other reports for detail

Bullet Gauge

Bullet Preferred over gauges and thermometers Easier to read Take less space More accurate Similar to a bar chart, but offers more information

SSRS Tips and Tricks

Enhanced Data Visualization

Tablix for Flexible Report Layouts

Chart Types and Recommendations

Visualization Best Practices

Relational vs. OLAP Reporting

Flexible Report Layout

What is Tablix?
The best of Table merged with the best of Matrix Allows for fixed and dynamic columns and rows Enables arbitrary nesting on each axis Enables multiple parallel row/column members at each level Introduces optional omission of row/column headers

Innovative layout capabilities

Support for richly formatted text Innovative grouping capabilities

Table + Matrix
Customer
Retail Acme Nadir, Inc. Wholesale ABC Corp. XYZ, Ltd. Grand Total 19% 322% 56% Grand Total 19% 322% Retail Acme Nadir, Inc. Wholesale ABC Corp.

Growth
2001 1,115 152 1,523 2002 1,331 642 6,421 Total 2,446 794 7,944

11,156 13,312 24,468 13,946 21,706 35,653

XYZ, Ltd.

Inline Chart and Tablix Demo

SSRS Tips and Tricks

Enhanced Data Visualization Tablix for Flexible Report Layouts

Chart Types and Recommendations

Visualization Best Practices

Relational vs. OLAP Reporting

Histogram Charts

Set the series type = Column Custom Attributes
HistogramSegmentInterv alNumber HistogramSegmentInterv alWidth HistogramShowPercentO nSecondaryAxis

Pareto Charts

Commonly used in quality control scenarios. Set the Chart Type = Column Custom Attributes
ShowColumnAs Property = Pareto

Remove the Axis Title on the Secondary Axis by Selecting the Chart Area Value Axis in the Property Grid

Chart Demo

SSRS Tips and Tricks

Enhanced Data Visualization Tablix for Flexible Report Layouts

Chart Types and Recommendations

Visualization Best Practices

Relational vs. OLAP Reporting

Examples of Poor Visualizations

Examples of Good Visualizations

40% 35% 30% 25% 20% 15% 10% 5% 0% IT Power User Business User Casual User Extended Business User

Producer Consumer

The Value of Data Visualization

Good Data Visualization...

Shows the data Represents large quantities of data coherently and efficiently Help the user to discern relationships in the data encourages the eye to compare different pieces of data does not distort what the data has to say

Common Visualization Mistakes

Inappropriate display media
Pie charts, 3-D charts

Poorly designed display media

Using fill patterns, line styles, and fully saturated/bright colors.

Encoding quantitative data inaccurately Crowded charts Variety for the sake of variety Adding visual flair

Tips, Tricks, Best Practices

Part to whole Line Charts Bar Charts Disparate Values Gridlines Sparklines Bullet graphs Small multiples Pareto charts Histograms

Exception highlighting Keywords vs. Expressions Status indicators Drilldown on charts Empty points Coordinate colors across charts w/empty points Custom gauge images Multiple chart areas

SSRS Tips and Tricks

Enhanced Data Visualization Tablix for Flexible Report Layouts

Chart Types and Recommendations

Visualization Best Practices

Relational vs. OLAP Reporting

Relational vs. OLAP Reporting

Relational Benefits
Optimized for processing transactions Data stored at detail level Easily report at the lowest level of data

OLAP Benefits
Data is pre-aggregated Easy drag and drop query builder Optimized for analyzing data Easily used to create a wide range of reports

Relational vs. OLAP Reporting Demo