Microsoft Report Builder

The Microsoft Report Builder navigation link in the Actions section lets you access the Microsoft Report Builder application either from FASTER Web application server or Report server. The Microsoft Report Builder is a stand-alone application from Microsoft that helps you create and customize SSRS reports. You can use Microsoft Report Builder to create custom reports from scratch in FASTER Web or modify the existing FASTER Web Standard Reports based on your custom needs.

In the Report Builder Instructions page, the report builder instructions varies based on the hosting scenario of FASTER Web. To know more about report builder instructions for each of the four hosting scenarios, click the following links:

For hosting scenario Internally Hosted, Web accessed via network and Internally hosted, Web accessed via Internet, the following Report Builder Instructions are displayed.

Report Builder Instructions page

Below are instructions that can assist you in accessing this powerful tool that will enable you to take FASTER Web standard reports create a copy and then modify them to your custom needs. Or this tool will permit you to build from scratch your own custom reports.

1. Since Report Builder is a Microsoft product, FASTER is glad to provide advice. But it is not a product FASTER creates or supports. You can find on-line training tools that can teach you how to use Report Builder. If you are already familiar with Crystal Reports, you likely will find MS SQL Report Builder easy to learn and use. Like any sophisticated report building tool, you should have some experience with databases or report building tools to use it effectively.

2. Please note, the first time you click on the below 'Launch Microsoft SQL Report Builder', your computer will attempt to download the MS Report Builder if your MS SQL Server version is SQL 2014 SP 2 or lower. For SQL 2016 and above, Microsoft removed the ability to download the Report Builder directly from the SSRS Server. You will need to follow the Microsoft Download Center link below to download Report Builder. If your IT has blocked your ability to download applications like this, you will need to engage your IT team to grant you the appropriate permission to download and install the Report Builder application. Different versions of MS SQL have different MS Report Builders. MS Report Builder users should be sure to check the System Requirements for the version of MS Report Builder they will use.

Microsoft Download Center

Reporting Service Version 2008 R2

https://www.microsoft.com/en-in/download/details.aspx?id=6116

Reporting Service Version 2012

https://www.microsoft.com/en-in/download/details.aspx?id=29072

Reporting Service Version 2014

https://www.microsoft.com/en-in/download/details.aspx?id=42301

Reporting Service Version 2016

https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=53613

3. Your IT Team Member who setup roles on the database/reports server may not have provided an SSRS security role for you. The below link will take you to the FASTER Web System Requirements Document. Please see Appendix A which provides the recommended MS Report Server role permissions that a FASTER user will need in order to use the MS Report Builder to customize reports. This FASTER recommended role will empower users to have proper access to reports but will limit risk by denying the ability to overwrite all standard and custom reports.

System Requirement Document

4. If you access FASTER Web from outside of your site’s network, you will need VPN to get access to the reports server and will need to store your report server credentials in the windows credential manager in order to allow the Report Builder to be downloaded. Please follow below steps to add your report server credentials in windows credentials manager.

i. Go To Control Panel > User Accounts > Credential Manager

ii. Click on Add a Windows credential link.

iii. Enter the DNS Name or IP of the report server as well as the username and password you would like to connect with, then click the OK button.

5. There are plenty of articles available over internet for usage of MS Report Builder. Though, we recommend you to go through below MSDN article to start with MS Report Builder.

Getting Started with Report Builder

Reporting Service Version 2008 R2

https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/previous-versions/sql/sql-server-2008-r2/dd220460(v=sql.105)

Reporting Service Version 2012

https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/previous-versions/sql/sql-server-2012/hh213578%28v%3dsql.110%29

Reporting Service Version 2014

https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/sql/reporting-services/report-builder/report-builder-in-sql-server-2016?view=sql-server-2014

Reporting Service Version 2016

https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/sql/reporting-services/report-builder/report-builder-in-sql-server-2016?view=sql-server-2016

6. Once you create the custom report you desire in MS Report Builder, you will then be able to deploy the custom report using the FASTER Web, in-product report deployment feature. This link will take you there.

Microsoft Report Builder Hosted Centrally on FASTER Web application server - Custom Report Deployment

Microsoft Report Builder Installed on individual client machines - Custom Report Deployment

7. You likely will want to use FASTER Web's Data Dictionary which you can access through the left navigation pane or via this link. FASTER has also provided report building best practices in Help.

Data Dictionary Report Building Best Practices

For hosting scenario FASTER Hosted the following Report Builder Instructions are displayed.

Report Builder Instructions page

Below are instructions that can assist you in accessing this powerful tool that will enable you to take FASTER Web standard reports, create a copy and then modify them to your custom needs. Or this tool will permit you to build from scratch your own custom reports.

2. As your instance of FASTER Web is hosted in FASTER’s Cloud, FASTER can provide access to the Microsoft Report Builder via a Remote Desktop App that allows you to build and deploy reports in the FASTER cloud environment. You won't be able to access the report server or database directly. This Microsoft Report Builder environment is fully hosted by FASTER. While creating reports, you will be able to save and retrieve your report files on the hosted environment. When it is time to deploy your report, you will use FASTER Web’s in product custom report deployment tool described below.

3. Your IT Team Member will need to ensure you have been provided permission to execute Remote Desktop Apps on your computer. The below link will take you to the FASTER Web System Requirements Document. Please see Appendix A which provides the recommended MS Report Server role permissions that a FASTER user will need in order to use the MS Report Builder to customize reports.

System Requirement Document

4. There are plenty of articles available over internet for usage of MS Report Builder. Though, we recommend you to go through below MSDN article to start with MS Report Builder.

Getting Started with Report Builder

Reporting Service Version 2008 R2

https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/previous-versions/sql/sql-server-2008-r2/dd220460(v=sql.105)

Reporting Service Version 2012

https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/previous-versions/sql/sql-server-2012/hh213578%28v%3dsql.110%29

Reporting Service Version 2014

https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/sql/reporting-services/report-builder/report-builder-in-sql-server-2016?view=sql-server-2014

Reporting Service Version 2016

https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/sql/reporting-services/report-builder/report-builder-in-sql-server-2016?view=sql-server-2016

5. Once you create the custom report you desire in MS Report Builder, you will then be able to deploy the custom report using the FASTER Web, in-product report deployment feature. This link will take you there.

Microsoft Report Builder Hosted Centrally on FASTER Web application server - Custom Report Deployment

Microsoft Report Builder Installed on individual client machines - Custom Report Deployment

6. You likely will want to use FASTER Web's Data Dictionary which you can access through the left navigation pane or via this link. FASTER has also provided report building best practices in Help.

Data Dictionary Report Building Best Practices

For hosting scenario Third Party Hosted, the following Report Builder Instructions are displayed.

Report Builder Instructions page

Below are instructions that can assist you in accessing this powerful tool that will enable you to take FASTER Web standard reports, create a copy, and then modify them to your custom needs. Or this tool will permit you to build from scratch your own custom reports.

2. As you are hosting FASTER Web at a third part hosting environment, your IT Team should determine the best way to provide access to the Report Builder, FASTER Web database, and SSRS (if needed).

3. If you are given access to the database/report server. Your IT Team Member who sets up development environment will need to provide you appropriate roles on the database/report server. The below link will take you to the FASTER Web System Requirements Document. Please see Appendix A which provides the recommended MS Report Server role permissions that a FASTER user will need in order to use the MS Report Builder to customize reports.

System Requirement Document

4. There are plenty of articles available over internet for usage of MS Report Builder. Though, we recommend you to go through below MSDN article to start with MS Report Builder.

Getting Started with Report Builder

Reporting Service Version 2008 R2

https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/previous-versions/sql/sql-server-2008-r2/dd220460(v=sql.105)

Reporting Service Version 2012

https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/previous-versions/sql/sql-server-2012/hh213578%28v%3dsql.110%29

Reporting Service Version 2014

https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/sql/reporting-services/report-builder/report-builder-in-sql-server-2016?view=sql-server-2014

Reporting Service Version 2016

https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/sql/reporting-services/report-builder/report-builder-in-sql-server-2016?view=sql-server-2016

Microsoft Report Builder Hosted Centrally on FASTER Web application server - Custom Report Deployment

Microsoft Report Builder Installed on individual client machines - Custom Report Deployment

6. You likely will want to use FASTER Web's Data Dictionary which you can access through the left navigation pane or via this link. FASTER has also provided report building best practices in Help.

Data Dictionary Report Building Best Practices

To know the access details of Microsoft Report Builder for each of the two hosting scenarios of Microsoft Report Builder application, click the following links:

In the Hosted centrally on the FASTER Web application server hosting scenario, you can access the Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) to launch Microsoft Report Builder hosted on the FASTER Web application server.

Report Builder Instructions page

To launch Microsoft Report Builder from FASTER Web application server

Click the Reports module.
In the Actions menu, click Microsoft Report Builder.

The Report Builder Instructions page opens.

3. Click the Launch Microsoft SQL Report Builder link.

A dialog box to open or save the RDP file opens.

3. Click Open.

Note: Click Save if you want to save the RDP file and then access it.

4. In the Windows Security dialog box, provide the user credentials of the application server to connect to the RDP.

Note: You must have rights to access the Microsoft Report Builder application.

The Microsoft Report Builder application opens.

Note:

If you are not allowed to launch Microsoft Report Builder from the FASTER Web application server, in the Reports Instructions page, the Launch Microsoft SQL Report Builder link is disabled.
When you click the Microsoft Report Builder link in the Actions menu, the Report Builder instructions page opens, by default. To launch Microsoft Report Builder from the Reports > Microsoft Report Builder link directly, select the Do not show this page the next time click on “Microsoft Report Builder” button. You can access this same page also via going to Microsoft Report Builder Help check box, and then click the OK button. A dialog box to open or save the RDP file opens for you to connect to RDP to launch the Microsoft Report Builder instead of opening the Report Builder instructions page.
If you are not allowed to access Microsoft Report Builder from the FASTER Web application server, and if the Do not show this page the next time click on “Microsoft Report Builder” button. You can access this same page also via going to Microsoft Report Builder Help check box is selected, a Warning dialog box with a message is displayed when you click Reports > Microsoft Report Builder link.

Warning dialog box

In the Installed on individual client machine hosting scenario, you can access Microsoft Report Builder based on the following two cases:

· If you are using Microsoft SQL Server 2014 SP 2 version or earlier, you can access Microsoft Report Builder from the Report server.

· If you are using Microsoft SQL Server 2016 or later, one of the following action occurs:

o Microsoft Report Builder is launched if it is already installed on your computer.

o FASTER Web provides the Microsoft link for you to download Microsoft SQL Report Builder and install on your computer.

Report Builder Instructions page

Follow the steps for Microsoft SQL Server 2014 SP 2 version or earlier

Click the Reports module.
In the Actions menu, click Microsoft Report Builder.

The Report Builder Instructions page opens.

Click the Launch Microsoft SQL Report Builder link.
In the Windows Security dialog box, provide the report server credentials.

Note: To access Microsoft Report Builder from the Report server, you must have access to the Report server.

The Microsoft Report Builder opens.

Note: When you click the Microsoft Report Builder link in the Actions menu, the Report Builder Instructions page opens, by default. To launch Microsoft Report Builder from the Reports > Microsoft Report Builder link directly, select the Do not show this page the next time click on “Microsoft Report Builder” button. You can access this same page also via going to Microsoft Report Builder Help check box, and then click the OK button. Microsoft Report Builder is launched from the Report sever.

Follow the steps for Microsoft SQL Server 2016 or later

Click the Reports module.
In the Actions menu, click Microsoft Report Builder.

The Report Builder Instructions page opens.

Click the Launch Microsoft SQL Report Builder link.

The Download Microsoft Report Builder dialog box opens.

3. Click the Download Microsoft SQL Server Report Builder link.

You are redirected to the Microsoft report builder download link.

Download Microsoft Report Builder dialog box

Note:

After you install Microsoft SQL Report Builder on your computer, in the Report Builder Instructions page, click the Launch Microsoft SQL Report Builder link to launch Microsoft Report Builder.
If you are not allowed to launch Microsoft Report Builder from the FASTER Web application server, in the Reports Instructions page, the Launch Microsoft SQL Report Builder link is disabled.
When you click the Microsoft Report Builder link in the Actions menu, a Warning dialog box with the message The ability to launch Microsoft Report Builder from FASTER Web has been turned off in the Setup module is displayed if you are not allowed to launch Microsoft Report Builder from the FASTER Web application server and if Do not show this page the next time click on “Microsoft Report Builder” button. You can access this same page also via going to Microsoft Report Builder Help check box is selected in the Report Builder instructions page.
When you click the Microsoft Report Builder link in the Actions menu, the Report Builder instructions page opens, by default. To launch Microsoft Report Builder from the Reports > Microsoft Report Builder link directly, select the Do not show this page the next time click on “Microsoft Report Builder” button. You can access this same page also via going to Microsoft Report Builder Help check box, and then click the OK button. Microsoft Report Builder is launched from your computer.
If you are using IE 11 on Windows 7 and SQL 2016 SP1 and have not installed the Microsoft Report Builder, when you click the Launch Microsoft SQL Report Builder link, a Microsoft known issue opens a browser page that displays “The webpage cannot be displayed”. You must download and install the Microsoft Report Builder by following the Download link on the Microsoft Report Builder page. After the Microsoft Report Builder is installed, you can click the Launch Microsoft SQL Report Builder link without any error.