Create a Template Report
In
this section, we will launch Reporting Services' Report Designer, and
then create a new report, which we will designate as a template for reuse as
often as we find it needful. We will start with the creation of a new report,
upon which we will base our template.
Create
a Blank Report
As most
of us are aware, creating a new report file is easy.
1.
Right-click
the Reports folder in Solutions Explorer.
2.
Select Add
from the context menu that appears.
3.
Click Add
New Item from the cascading menu, as shown in Illustration 5.
4.
Click Report
in the Add New Item dialog.
5.
Type the
following into the Name box, replacing the default of Report1.rdl
(or similar).
Template_DatabaseJournal
The Add
New Item dialog appears, as shown in Illustration 6.
Illustration 6: The Add
New Item Dialog - Initial View
6.
Click the Open
button at the bottom of the Add New Item dialog.
The
design environment opens. We see the Data, Layout and Preview
tabs appear in the Report Designer. (As I have mentioned in other articles within this series, I have docked many of my
toolbars in places I find convenient. Your environment will probably differ
somewhat, and so may not appear, at times, identical to the illustrations that
appear in my articles.
The
report has opened in Data View, as shown in Illustration 7.
Illustration 7: The
Design Environment - Data View Tab (Compacted)
7.
Click the Layout
tab atop the Report Designer, to select it.
8.
Click anywhere
in the Layout area to ensure it is enabled.
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