This article explains how to use Microsoft Report Builder to:

  • Create a data source

  • Connect to a database

  • Add a dataset

The process is continued in a companion article: How to create a report with Report Builder (2)

Crows Nest features a robust report system that can be customized with Microsoft Report Builder.

Learn more about Report Builder here: https://crowsnest.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/CNHELP/pages/1165754381/Microsoft+SQL+reports#Report-Builder-authoring-environment-(SSRS)


Create a data source

note

If your user account has permissions to your SQL server, you can choose Use Windows Authentication and skip down to Connect to a database.

If your user account has permissions to your SQL server, you can choose Use Windows Authentication and skip down to Connect to a database.

If your user account does not have permission, select SQL Server Authentication and use the Crows Nest read-only account.

  • Enter CN for the User Name and CN for the password.

  • Make sure to check the Save my password box.


Connect to a database

If you are using Windows Authentication and have entered the correct server name, You can select your database from the Select or enter a database name drop-down box.

If you are using the read-only Crows Nest account, you may have to type it in the drop-down box.

Now, click Test Connection.

If the connection is successful, you will get a popup that tells you the test connection succeeded.

Click OK on the popup window.

After the connection test has succeeded, save your connection settings:

You will now see your data source when you expand the Data Source folder under Report Data (left sidebar)

Make sure to save your the Report Builder file you have now created.

Report builder saves these files as a .rdl file. You will need this file to import to Crows Nest.


Add a dataset

You can also use the Query Designer button in Data Properties to create custom queries in Report Builder.

You'll now see the dataset that was pulled by the query in the Datasets folder in Report Data.

Make sure to save the Report Builder file again.