Manipulating a reports visual appearance

Hi,
we are changing at the moment our reporting system from crystal report to MS
Reporting services. Our reports are highly customizable during display. In
Crystal Reports we were using scripts into the reports to set the text align
and the column back- and foreground color by user decisions. It was also
possible to choose whether the report should be displayed in landscape or
portrait format. Now I need to give the reports with MS Reporting Services
the same abilities but I didn't find any possiblity to that yet. Because our
main application in which the reports are shown is written in good old MFC
we are using URL access to render and display the reports.
Does anyone here knows how to solve one or all of my issues described above?
Thanks in Advance
Markus
P.S. I'm a really newbie in MS Reporting Services.Style properties (like text alignment and color) can be expressions. These
expressions can depend on parameters to the report.
For example:
<TextAlign>=Parameters!TextAlign.Value</TextAlign>
Or:
<Color>=iif(Parameters!ColorScheme.Value="Rainbow","HotPink","LightBrown")</
Color>
For page orientation, you can set the page height and width via parameters
in the URL (something like rc:PageHeight=8.5... Check the documentation for
details)
My employer's lawyers require me to say:
"This posting is provided 'AS IS' with no warranties, and confers no
rights."
"Markus Heid" <markus.heid@.logasys.com> wrote in message
news:efgHn3$YEHA.1448@.TK2MSFTNGP12.phx.gbl...
> Hi,
> we are changing at the moment our reporting system from crystal report to
MS
> Reporting services. Our reports are highly customizable during display. In
> Crystal Reports we were using scripts into the reports to set the text
align
> and the column back- and foreground color by user decisions. It was also
> possible to choose whether the report should be displayed in landscape or
> portrait format. Now I need to give the reports with MS Reporting Services
> the same abilities but I didn't find any possiblity to that yet. Because
our
> main application in which the reports are shown is written in good old MFC
> we are using URL access to render and display the reports.
> Does anyone here knows how to solve one or all of my issues described
above?
> Thanks in Advance
> Markus
> P.S. I'm a really newbie in MS Reporting Services.
>|||TextAlign, BackgroundColor, and ForegroundColor can be expressions, so you
can make them user-driven using user-entered parameters. Check
http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/default.asp?url=/library/en-us/RSCREATE/htm/rcr_creating_expressions_v1_3983.asp
for details.
Ravi Mumulla (Microsoft)
SQL Server Reporting Services
This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights.
"Markus Heid" <markus.heid@.logasys.com> wrote in message
news:efgHn3$YEHA.1448@.TK2MSFTNGP12.phx.gbl...
> Hi,
> we are changing at the moment our reporting system from crystal report to
MS
> Reporting services. Our reports are highly customizable during display. In
> Crystal Reports we were using scripts into the reports to set the text
align
> and the column back- and foreground color by user decisions. It was also
> possible to choose whether the report should be displayed in landscape or
> portrait format. Now I need to give the reports with MS Reporting Services
> the same abilities but I didn't find any possiblity to that yet. Because
our
> main application in which the reports are shown is written in good old MFC
> we are using URL access to render and display the reports.
> Does anyone here knows how to solve one or all of my issues described
above?
> Thanks in Advance
> Markus
> P.S. I'm a really newbie in MS Reporting Services.
>|||Thank you very much. It is much easier than I though!
"Chris Hays [MSFT]" <chays@.online.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:uetiBzFZEHA.2972@.tk2msftngp13.phx.gbl...
> Style properties (like text alignment and color) can be expressions.
These
> expressions can depend on parameters to the report.
> For example:
> <TextAlign>=Parameters!TextAlign.Value</TextAlign>
> Or:
>
<Color>=iif(Parameters!ColorScheme.Value="Rainbow","HotPink","LightBrown")</
> Color>
> For page orientation, you can set the page height and width via parameters
> in the URL (something like rc:PageHeight=8.5... Check the documentation
for
> details)
>
> --
> My employer's lawyers require me to say:
> "This posting is provided 'AS IS' with no warranties, and confers no
> rights."
> "Markus Heid" <markus.heid@.logasys.com> wrote in message
> news:efgHn3$YEHA.1448@.TK2MSFTNGP12.phx.gbl...
> > Hi,
> > we are changing at the moment our reporting system from crystal report
to
> MS
> > Reporting services. Our reports are highly customizable during display.
In
> > Crystal Reports we were using scripts into the reports to set the text
> align
> > and the column back- and foreground color by user decisions. It was also
> > possible to choose whether the report should be displayed in landscape
or
> > portrait format. Now I need to give the reports with MS Reporting
Services
> > the same abilities but I didn't find any possiblity to that yet. Because
> our
> > main application in which the reports are shown is written in good old
MFC
> > we are using URL access to render and display the reports.
> > Does anyone here knows how to solve one or all of my issues described
> above?
> >
> > Thanks in Advance
> >
> > Markus
> >
> > P.S. I'm a really newbie in MS Reporting Services.
> >
> >
>

Managing PK/FK Relationships with the Tools

Ah, why doesn't SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS) or Visual Studio's Server Explorer permit me to set PK/FK constraints on the tables? They're supported in SQL Everywhere (SQL Ev), but I don't see a way to set them up.

Why don't these tools support scripting the database tables to SQL? Is this planned?

Bill,

Obviously Microsoft will have to address the why, but in terms of the how, there is a nice third party tool that might help you out. See www.primeworks.pt.

You are correct though, the degree to which you can manage constraints on SQL Mobile databases in SQL Server 2005 Management Studio is limited unless you write the DDL yourself. VS2005 is even more limited.

Darren

|||I took a quick look at the primeworks utilities. Yes, I think that's probably the best answer. Thankfully, the third-party community can step in where MS falls short. Hopefully the "Data Dude" (I hate that name) code will help, but it's gross overkill for most SQLCE developers--it's like sending a patient to an ICU for a stubbed toe.

managing live and develop database

Hello,

I haven written a Windows program in Visual Studio 2005. This program stores data in and retrieves data from a SQL Express database. The customer is starting to use the program and filling the database with data. However the program is still under construction (new functionality will be added) and so is the database (new tables, views etc. will be added).

Of course I could send the customer the new database, but than all data already entered will be lost.....

I'm thinking about using the SQL Management Studio Express and VS2005 to connect remotely to the database (a VPN connection is availabe) but worry about performance issues.... Or should I use some kind of replication / synchronization and how, because this is new to me.

What is the best way to solve this 'problem' ?

hi,

Silencer#1 wrote:

Hello,

I haven written a Windows program in Visual Studio 2005. This program stores data in and retrieves data from a SQL Express database. The customer is starting to use the program and filling the database with data. However the program is still under construction (new functionality will be added) and so is the database (new tables, views etc. will be added).

Of course I could send the customer the new database, but than all data already entered will be lost.....

I'm thinking about using the SQL Management Studio Express and VS2005 to connect remotely to the database (a VPN connection is availabe) but worry about performance issues.... Or should I use some kind of replication / synchronization and how, because this is new to me.

What is the best way to solve this 'problem' ?

the best article I've read about database versioning and related issue is available at http://msdn.microsoft.com/msdnmag/issues/04/09/customdatabaseinstaller/ ... it support both "original" installation as successive metadata updates..

regards

|||

The short answer is that you should use scripts to update the schema of your deployed database. The article Andrea points to is a good one that discusses ways to deploy and update databases. A new tool to help you manage you database across versions and create scripts for upgrades is Visual Studio Team Systems for Database Professionals.

Mike

|||

After doing some research on the web I found out that InstallShield 12 from Macrovision is able to script SQL 2005 databases.

I have downloaed the trial version and created a sample installer and it worked perfectly !!. You can let the end-user specifiy the server to logon, how to log on (windows authentication or SQL login) and which catalog (database) to use.

|||

After a day of testing I found out that InstallShield works fine but is rather expensive !!
So I googled some more and ran into the products of Red Gate. They have several SQL products and one of them is called SQL Packager.
You can use this software to package your database or upgrade an existing database. You can package the database as a .NET executable or as an C# project.

managing live and develop database

Hello,

I haven written a Windows program in Visual Studio 2005. This program stores data in and retrieves data from a SQL Express database. The customer is starting to use the program and filling the database with data. However the program is still under construction (new functionality will be added) and so is the database (new tables, views etc. will be added).

Of course I could send the customer the new database, but than all data already entered will be lost.....

I'm thinking about using the SQL Management Studio Express and VS2005 to connect remotely to the database (a VPN connection is availabe) but worry about performance issues.... Or should I use some kind of replication / synchronization and how, because this is new to me.

What is the best way to solve this 'problem' ?

hi,

Silencer#1 wrote:

Hello,

I haven written a Windows program in Visual Studio 2005. This program stores data in and retrieves data from a SQL Express database. The customer is starting to use the program and filling the database with data. However the program is still under construction (new functionality will be added) and so is the database (new tables, views etc. will be added).

Of course I could send the customer the new database, but than all data already entered will be lost.....

I'm thinking about using the SQL Management Studio Express and VS2005 to connect remotely to the database (a VPN connection is availabe) but worry about performance issues.... Or should I use some kind of replication / synchronization and how, because this is new to me.

What is the best way to solve this 'problem' ?

the best article I've read about database versioning and related issue is available at http://msdn.microsoft.com/msdnmag/issues/04/09/customdatabaseinstaller/ ... it support both "original" installation as successive metadata updates..

regards

|||

The short answer is that you should use scripts to update the schema of your deployed database. The article Andrea points to is a good one that discusses ways to deploy and update databases. A new tool to help you manage you database across versions and create scripts for upgrades is Visual Studio Team Systems for Database Professionals.

Mike

|||

After doing some research on the web I found out that InstallShield 12 from Macrovision is able to script SQL 2005 databases.

I have downloaed the trial version and created a sample installer and it worked perfectly !!. You can let the end-user specifiy the server to logon, how to log on (windows authentication or SQL login) and which catalog (database) to use.

|||

After a day of testing I found out that InstallShield works fine but is rather expensive !!
So I googled some more and ran into the products of Red Gate. They have several SQL products and one of them is called SQL Packager.
You can use this software to package your database or upgrade an existing database. You can package the database as a .NET executable or as an C# project.

Management tools is installed but i cant find it...

Hello
I just installed Visual Studio 2005 Rc1, after that i installed Sql server
2005 september ctp.
Everything worked out fine and i installed everyprogram and all the tools
from sql server 2005 september ctp.
But when i try to find management studio i cant find it... its not under
Start Menu\Programs\Microsoft SQL Server 2005 CTP
the only thing thats under Microsoft SQL Server 2005 CTP is configuration
tools...
do i need to do some configuration to make management studio works?
On Fri, 7 Oct 2005 05:43:02 -0700, Diffen
<Diffen@.discussions.microsoft.com> wrote:

>Hello
>I just installed Visual Studio 2005 Rc1, after that i installed Sql server
>2005 september ctp.
>Everything worked out fine and i installed everyprogram and all the tools
>from sql server 2005 september ctp.
>But when i try to find management studio i cant find it... its not under
>Start Menu\Programs\Microsoft SQL Server 2005 CTP
>the only thing thats under Microsoft SQL Server 2005 CTP is configuration
>tools...
>do i need to do some configuration to make management studio works?
>
One common cause for not having the SQL Server Management Studio is
that you installed SQL Server Express Edition. It doesn't have SQL
Server Management Studio.
Another possibility is that you didn't choose to install SQL Server
Management Studio during Setup.
If you don't already have it, find a copy of SQL Server 2005 Developer
Edition (or above). Click the Advanced button during setup and study
the options for installation on the Advanced screen carefully.
Then you should be in good shape.
Andrew Watt
MVP - InfoPath
|||Hello Andrew.
When i installed the VS2005 RC1 i choosed to install sql 2005 express. but
after i finished that installation i installed sql server 2005 september ctp
(standard edition) in an new instance.
i have removed the sql 2005 september ctp and installed it again but its
still not there.
when im installing sql server 2005 september ctp im choosing all the
checkbox when i come to the point where i get the question what programs i
want to install.
when i read your answere i wonder if i should remove both vs2005 rc1 and sql
server 2005 september ctp. then install vs 2005 rc1 withour sql 2005 express
and then install sql server 2005 september ctp again.
Best regards
J?rgen
"Andrew Watt [MVP - InfoPath]" wrote:

> On Fri, 7 Oct 2005 05:43:02 -0700, Diffen
> <Diffen@.discussions.microsoft.com> wrote:
> One common cause for not having the SQL Server Management Studio is
> that you installed SQL Server Express Edition. It doesn't have SQL
> Server Management Studio.
> Another possibility is that you didn't choose to install SQL Server
> Management Studio during Setup.
> If you don't already have it, find a copy of SQL Server 2005 Developer
> Edition (or above). Click the Advanced button during setup and study
> the options for installation on the Advanced screen carefully.
> Then you should be in good shape.
> Andrew Watt
> MVP - InfoPath
>
|||Jorgen,
As a first step make sure you click the Advanced button during SQL
Server 2005 setup.
On the advanced screen make sure you notice the visual difference
between the install this component and the install this component and
all its subcomponent options.
It's easy to miss out some desired subcomponents.
If that works, then fine.
But if not ...
The recommended install order is SQL Server 2005 then Visual Studo
2005. So if the simpler approach doesn't work that looks like the way
to go.
Check after installing SQL Server that SQL Server Management Studio
has installed. It should be in Start|All Programs|Microsoft SQL Server
2005 CTP.
Andrew Watt
MVP - InfoPath
On Fri, 7 Oct 2005 14:01:33 -0700, Diffen
<Diffen@.discussions.microsoft.com> wrote:
[vbcol=seagreen]
>Hello Andrew.
>When i installed the VS2005 RC1 i choosed to install sql 2005 express. but
>after i finished that installation i installed sql server 2005 september ctp
>(standard edition) in an new instance.
>i have removed the sql 2005 september ctp and installed it again but its
>still not there.
>when im installing sql server 2005 september ctp im choosing all the
>checkbox when i come to the point where i get the question what programs i
>want to install.
>when i read your answere i wonder if i should remove both vs2005 rc1 and sql
>server 2005 september ctp. then install vs 2005 rc1 withour sql 2005 express
>and then install sql server 2005 september ctp again.
>Best regards
>Jrgen
>"Andrew Watt [MVP - InfoPath]" wrote:
|||Andrew,
Thank you very much for you quick support.
The problem was solved when i choosed advanced options in the setup just as
you suggested.
I reinstalled sql 2005 and vs 2005 rc1 and all worked out really fine.
Thanks allot!
"Andrew Watt [MVP - InfoPath]" wrote:

> Jorgen,
> As a first step make sure you click the Advanced button during SQL
> Server 2005 setup.
> On the advanced screen make sure you notice the visual difference
> between the install this component and the install this component and
> all its subcomponent options.
> It's easy to miss out some desired subcomponents.
> If that works, then fine.
> But if not ...
> The recommended install order is SQL Server 2005 then Visual Studo
> 2005. So if the simpler approach doesn't work that looks like the way
> to go.
> Check after installing SQL Server that SQL Server Management Studio
> has installed. It should be in Start|All Programs|Microsoft SQL Server
> 2005 CTP.
> Andrew Watt
> MVP - InfoPath
> On Fri, 7 Oct 2005 14:01:33 -0700, Diffen
> <Diffen@.discussions.microsoft.com> wrote:
>
>
|||You're welcome.
Andrew Watt
MVP - InfoPath
On Sat, 8 Oct 2005 04:31:02 -0700, Diffen
<Diffen@.discussions.microsoft.com> wrote:
[vbcol=seagreen]
>Andrew,
>Thank you very much for you quick support.
>The problem was solved when i choosed advanced options in the setup just as
>you suggested.
>I reinstalled sql 2005 and vs 2005 rc1 and all worked out really fine.
>Thanks allot!
>"Andrew Watt [MVP - InfoPath]" wrote: