Report Builder is a specially designed report creation tool by Microsoft that enables the development of simple to complex dashboards and reports based on data coming from a wide variety of sources, ranging from SQL Server, Oracle, Azure, DB2, SAP, ODBC, XML, and Teradata databases. It uses the same Report Designer as development tools like SSRS (SQL Server Reporting Services) and SSDT (SQL Server Data Tools).
Here are ways that you can benefit from and develop your creativity using SSRS Ad Hoc Report Builder:
- One of the best things about SSRS Report Builder is that it is designed so that even non-technical staff can develop reports. Powerful visuals are also enabled through different supported report regions, including maps, gauges, charts, and indicators. An entire library of report items such as tables, charts, matrices, and images can likewise be created and reused by users. Reports can also be published for shared use or generated for personal use.
- Report parts and shared datasets can be pre-configured to give users access to raw data that need to be reported on, without having to learn about complex underlying database structures. This also gives them the ability to generate impressive-looking components to their reports without the need to understand how to customize and configure the same.
- Shared Report Parts can be made available through the SSRS server, so report writers can focus on the data and story being presented and gain access to relevant reports simply by plugging in the appropriate components that are already bound to the needed business data sets.
- Report writers can likewise take advantage of the compete for design capabilities of the Report Builder, build custom data sets, and create and configure their own complex gauges, charts, maps, tables, lists, and matrices, if they so wish and if they are familiar with source data.
