SSRS interview "narrowed" questions

In this section I will give you fairly long list of short and
narrowed questions:

Question: What does rdl stand for?

Answer: Report Definition Language
Question: How to deploy an SSRS Report?
Answer:
Configure
project
properties
(for
multiple
environments) and deploy from bids, upload manually or use
rs.exe for command line deployment.
Question: What is Report Manager?
Answer: Web based tool that allows to access and run reports.
Question: What is Report Builder?
Answer: Report Builder is a self-service tool for end users.
Question: What permission do you need to give to users to
enable them to use Report Builder?
Answer: "Report Builder" role and "system user". Report builder
should also be enable in report server properties.
Question: What do you need to restore report server database on
another machine?
Answer: SSRS Encryption key
Question: Can
authentication?
Answer: No.

you

create

subscription

using

windows

Question: What caching options do you have for reports on

report server?
Answer: Do no cache, expiry cache after x minute, on schedule.
Question: How to find slow running reports?
Answer: Check Report Execution table
Question: How can you make calendar available in report
parameter?

Answer: Set parameter data type to date.

Question: How to pass multi-valued parameter to stored
procedure in dataset?
Answer: Join function in SSRS and split function in T-SQL
Question: Which functions are used to pass parameter to MDX
query?
Answer: StrToMember and StrToSet
Question: How to create "dependant" parameter "Make, Model,
Year"
Answer: They need to be in correct order, and previous parameter should
filter next parameter dataset. For instance Model dataset should be
filtered using Make parameter

Question: How to create "alternate row colour"?

Answer: use RowNumber and Mod function OR visit our tutorial.
Question: How to create percentile function?
Answer: Custom code is required. Visit our tutorial for more
details.
Question: How to create median function?
Answer: Custom code is required. Visit our tutorial for more
details.
Question: How to make conditional sum in SSRS?
Answer: IIF condition true then SUM else nothing. Visit our
tutorial for more details
Question: How to find a value in another dataset based on
current dataset field (SSRS 2008 R2)?
Answer: Use lookup function.
Question: How to change parameter value inside the report?
Answer: Set action. "Jump to itself" and pass different value for
the parameter.
Question: How to identify current user in SSRS Report?
Answer: User!UserID

 What is Query parameter in SSRS?

Query parameters is mentioned in the query of the datasources that are to be
included into the SQL scripts WHERE clause of the SQL that can accept
parameters. Query parameters begin with the symbol @.The name should not
contain spaces and can not begin with numeral. For clarity, we use only
letters.
What are the Reporting Service Components in SSRS?
Report Designer: A place where we can create report. Report Server: Provides
services for implementation and delivery of reports. Report Manager: A Webbased administration tool for managing the Report Server.
What is a matrix in SSRS?
A matrix is a data region linked to a report set. Matrix allows us to create
crosstab reports with the report variables displaying on rows and columns. It
allows us to drag and drop fields into it.
What are sub reports and how to create them?
A sub report is like any other reports which can be called in main report and
can be generate
through main report. Parameters can be passed from main report to sub
report and basis of
that report can be generated.
What is the report model project?
Report model project is for creating Adhoc reporting. You can create the
adhoc reports
through report builder. Report model project can be created on bids or report
server. This
model can have simple view. And using
What is report server project?
Report Server Project contains the RDL file and it need to be deployed on
report server to
view the report files to application and user.
It a solution where we design our reports. You can add it by going into BIDS
clicking on
new item and then selecting reports server project. Once the solution is

created you can start

creating reports.
What is the report builder?
Report builder is used to create small reports and it a define interface. You
cant change the
report interface in report builder it pre designed. You can just drag columns
in the report.
Report builder creates reports on database objects available with report
model project.
In which SQL Server version report builder introduced?
Report builder introduced in SQL Server 2005. While creating or deploying
report model
project on report server you can get error or it might not get created. For this
you need to
check whether the service pack 22 is installed or not.
How to deploy the Report?
Report can be deployed in three ways.
1. Using visual studio: In visual studio you can directly deploy the report
through
solution explorer by providing the report server URL in project properties at
Target
Server URL. This will deploy entire project or single report as per you
selection.
2. Using report server: Can directly go to the report server and deploy the
report by
browsing the report from the disk location on server.
3. Creating the utility: SQL server provides the utility using that which can be
used to
create a customize utility for your report deployment in bulk.
What is RS.exe utility?
Rs.exe utility is used for deploying the report on report server. It comes with
the report
server and can be customize accordingly.
What is the name of reporting services config file and
whats its used for?

Reporting service config file is used for report configuration details. It

contains the report
format and also the report import types. Report service config reside at ISS.
What are the three different part of RDL file explain
them?
In visual studio RDL files has three parts.
1. Data: It contains the dataset on which we write the query. Data set is
connected with
data source.
2. Design: In design you can design report. Can create tables and matrix
reports. Drag
columns values from source.
3. Preview: to check the preview after the report run.
Which language rdl files made of?
RDL files are written in XML.
What is the chart in report?
Chart reports are for graphical representation. You can get pie charts columns
harts and
various other options.
3d charts are also available in reporting services.
What is Data Set in report?
Data set are the set of data which we want to show in report. Data creates on
data source.
Data source is the source of data from where we are getting this data i.e.
database server and
database name connection string.
What are the different types of data sources in SSRS?
SSRS use different data source. Some of them are listed below.
1. Microsoft SQL Server
2. OLEDB
3. Oracle
4. ODBC
5. SQL Server Analysis Service
6. Report Server Model
7. SAP Net weaver BI

8. Hyperion
9. Teradata
10. XML
What is the web service used for reporting services?
Reporting Service Web Service used in SSRS. By accessing this web service
you can access all
report server component and also get the report deployed on report server.
How to add the custom code in Report?
To add the custom codes in report go to report tab on top then properties and
there you will
find the options for custom code.
What is a cache in SSRS?
Report server can lay up a copy of processed report in a memory and return
the copy when a user opens the report. This server memory is known as cache
and the process is called caching.
What is report snapshot in SSRS?
Report snapshot is a report which contains layout information and a dataset
that is extracted at a particular point of time. When the new snapshot is
created the previous report snapshot will be overwritten.
What is bookmark link in SSRS?
Bookmark is a link which a person clicks to shift to a different area or page in
a report. We can insert bookmarks links only to textboxes and images.
What is Command parameter in SSRS?
A Command parameter is used to forward protocol to the Report Server
regarding the item that has been retrieved. Command parameter is also used
for rearranging a users session information.
What is Format parameter in SSRS?
Format parameter is used to control report output. Every delivering format
on Report Server has to pass through this parameter.
What is Snapshot parameter in SSRS?
When a report is saved in a snapshot history, it is allocated a time or date to
uniquely identify that report. Snapshot parameter is used to get back these
historical reports by passing this time or date to get proper report.
What are the rendering extensions of SSRS?
Rendering extensions manage the category of document produced when a

report is processed. Rendering Extensions are: HTML, MHTML, EXCEL,

CSV, IMAGE, PDF, and XML.
What is a ReportItem in SSRS?
A ReportItem is one of the subsequent types of items: Rectangle, Textbox,
Image, Subreport, Line, CustomReportItem, List, Table, Matrix or Chart.
What is Datasets in SSRS?
Dataset elements have information about the sets of data recovered as a part
of the report.
What are the main components of reporting services?
The main components of Reporting Services are
1. Report designer
2. Report server
3. Report manager
4. Report user.
What is Report Designer?
Report Designer is a collection of graphical query and design tools that are
hosted within the Microsoft Visual Studio environment.
Report Designer provides a Report Data pane to organize data used in your
report, and tabbed views for Design and Preview so that you can design a
report interactively.
Report Designer also provides query designers to help specify data to retrieve
from data sources and the Expression dialog to specify report data to use in
the report layout.
When the report is complete, you can use Report Designer to preview the
report and publish it directly to the report server.
What is Report manager?
Report Manager is a Web-based report access and management tool that you
use to administer a single report server instance from a remote location over
an HTTP connection. You can also use Report Manager for its report viewer
and navigation features.
You can use Report Manager to browse the report server folders or search for
specific reports. You can view a report, its general properties, and past copies
of the report that are captured in report history.

 What is Report Builder?

Web-based tool to create reports
Come free with SQL Server 2005
Launch Report Builder 1.0 to create ad hoc reports that you can save and run
on the report server.
Users build desired reports themselves; can export to Word, Excel, PDF, and
more
What is Report Server?
The report server is the central component of a Reporting Services
installation. It consists of a pair of core processors plus a collection of specialpurpose extensions that handle authentication, data processing, rendering,
and delivery operations.

Q1. WHAT is SQL Server Reporting Services(SSRS)?

SQL Server Reporting Services is a server-based reporting
platform that you can use to create and manage tabular,
matrix, graphical, and free-form reports that contain data

from relational and multidimensional data sources. The

reports that you create can be viewed and managed over a
World Wide Web-based connection

Q2. Architecture of SSRS:

-Admin
Q3. What are the three stages of Enterprise Reporting Life
Cycle ?
a. Authoring
b. Management
c. Access and Delivery
Q4. What are the components included in SSRS?
1. A Complete set of Tools that can be used to create,
manage and view reports
2. A Report Server component that hosts and processes
reports in a variety of formats. Output formats include
HTML, PDF, TIFF, Excel, CSV, and more.
3.An API that allows developers to integrate or extend
data and report processing in custom applications, or
create custom tools to build and manage reports.
Q5. What is the benefit of using embedded code in a
report?

1. Reuseability of Code: function created in embedded code

to perform a logic can be then used in multiple expressions
2. Centralized code: helps in better manageability of code.

Q6. Which programming language can be used to code

embedded functions in SSRS?
Visual Basic .NET Code.
Q7. Important terms used in the reporting services?
1. Report definition: The blueprint for a report before the
report is processed or rendered. A report definition
contains information about the query and layout for the
report.
2. Report snapshot: A report that contains data captured at
a specific point in time. A report snapshot is actually a
report definition that contains a dataset instead of query
instructions.
3. Rendered report: A fully processed report that contains
both data and layout information, in a format suitable for
viewing (such as HTML).
4. Parameterized report: A published report that accepts
input values through parameters.
5. Shared data source: A predefined, standalone item that
contains data source connection information.
6. Shared schedule: A predefined, standalone item that
contains schedule information.

7. Report-specific data source: Data source information

that is defined within a report definition.
8. Report model: A semantic description of business data,
used for ac hoc reports created in Report Builder.
9. Linked report: A report that derives its definition
through a link to another report.
10. Report server administrator: This term is used in the
documentation to describe a user with elevated privileges
who can access all settings and content of a report server.
If you are using the default roles, a report server
administrator is typically a user who is assigned to both
the Content Manager role and the System Administrator
role. Local administrators can have elevated permission
even if role assignments are not defined for them.
11. Folder hierarchy: A bounded namespace that uniquely
identifies all reports, folders, report models, shared data
source items, and resources that are stored in and
managed by a report server.

12. Report Server: Describes the Report Server

component, which provides data and report processing,
and report delivery. The Report Server component includes
several subcomponents that perform specific functions.
13. Report Manager: Describes the Web application tool
used to access and manage the contents of a report server
database.

14. Report Builder: Report authoring tool used to create ad

hoc reports.
15. Report Designer: Report creation tool included with
Reporting Services.
16. Model Designer: Report model creation tool used to
build models for ad hoc reporting.
17. Report Server Command Prompt Utilities: Command
line utilities that you can use to administer a report server.
a) RsConfig.exe, b) RsKeymgmt.exe, c) Rs.exe
Q8. what are the Command Line Utilities available In
Reporting Services?
Rsconfig Utility (Rsconfig.exe): encrypts and stores
connection and account values in the
RSReportServer.config file. Encrypted values include
report server database connection information and
account values used for unattended report processing
RsKeymgmt Utility: Extracts, restores, creates, and
deletes the symmetric key used to protect sensitive report
server data against unauthorized access
RS Utility: this utility is mainly used to automate report
server deployment and administration tasks.Processes
script you provide in an input file.
Q. How to know Report Execution History?
ExecutionLog table in ReportServer database store all the
logs from last two months.
SELECT * FROM ReportServer.dbo.ExecutionLog

-Development
Q. What is difference between Tablular and Matrix report?
OR What are the different styles of reports?
Tablular report: A tabular report is the most basic type of
report. Each column corresponds to a column selected
from the database.
Matrix report: A matrix (cross-product) report is a crosstabulation of four groups of data:
a. One group of data is displayed across the page.
b. One group of data is displayed down the page.
c. One group of data is the cross-product, which
determines all possible locations where the across and
down data relate and places a cell in those locations.
d. One group of data is displayed as the "filler" of the
cells.
Martix reports can be considered more of a Pivot table.
Q. How to create Drill-through reports?
Using Navigation property of a cell and setting child report
and its parameters in it.
Q. How to create Drill-Down reports?
To cut the story short:
- By grouping data on required fields
-Then toggle visibility based on the grouped filed