Adding a text box for report description before the report executes

Question

Is it possible to add a report description (text) near the parameters area, before the report is run in the Report Builder 3.0. Essentially, when the users click the report and right before they run it, I want to provide them with a small description of what the report does and what the parameters. I can do that in the footer but it wont help, because the footer is only generated after the report has executed. Please let me know.

Thanks.

score 1 · Answer 1 · edited May 23 '17 at 10:25

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This is not possible with the default SSRS interface. You'll have to wrap SSRS with your own interface to add this.

To build your own SSRS interface, you can use a few different methods, such as embedding a ReportViewer control in a Asp.NET application, or using URL access in an iframe. See How to change the SSRS input parameters position in report

Of course, with Javascript and client side DOM manipulation, you probably could sneak your content into place, but it's not a supported option.

edited May 23 '17 at 10:25

Community

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answered Aug 22 '13 at 14:01

Jamie F

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Any idea on how I would do this?? – user2684009 Aug 22 '13 at 14:13
Updated with a little bit more info and a link. – Jamie F Aug 22 '13 at 14:18

score 0 · Answer 2 · answered Aug 22 '13 at 16:51

The main problem is that you can't show a report if parameters are needed for it until those parameters are chosen. If you don't want to provide default parameters another way to solve this problem is by actually having 2 reports.

In report #1 you put the parameters and the text box of instructions, but nothing actually using those parameters.

In report #2 you put the parameters and the actual report.

At the bottom of report #1 have a button, that just goes to report #2 passing the parameters selected.

I've used this technique to provide instructions on parameters when I want a quick-and-dirty solution (as opposed to a proper solution such as what Jamie suggested with embedding)

Adding a text box for report description before the report executes

2 Answers2