Report Snapshots in SSRS

·         A report snapshot provides the ability to run a report at a scheduled time or on demand and save the report in the ReportServer database.

·         You can schedule report snapshots to be run during off-peak hours; this can reduce the load on your database servers

·         When select a report snapshot for viewing, the report server retrieves the stored report from the report server database and shows the data and layout that were current for the report at the time the snapshot was created.

·         Any data source used in the report must store the credentials for connecting to the database

·         Make sure SQL Server Agent is running.

Steps for creating snapshot history report

Step 1 :

Make sure storing the data source credential.

Step 2 :

Step to create Manual snapshot.

Report Name -> Manage -> History Snapshot -> New History Snapshot

It will create new snapshot of the report.

Step 3 :

Step to create using Schedule and setting.

Report Name -> Manage -> History Snapshot -> Schedule and setting

Select both the check box

·         Create History snapshot on a schedule

·         Allow people to create snapshot manually

In Advanced section

          Retain in all history snapshots.

Edit schedule under report specific schedule

Provide the schedule details and click Apply

Click Apply to save your changes

You can see SQL Agent job is created under ob Activity Monitor.

Now you can see reports are created under History Snapshot folders and it ran on scheduled time.

Linked Reports in SSRS

·         Linked report is a report server item that provides an access to existing report, we can say it is customized short cut to existing report.

·         It derived from existing report and retains original report definition like report layout, data set and data source.

·         security, parameters, location, subscriptions, and schedules can be different from original report.

Example:

I have already created a report and deployed in report server.

Below is the steps to create linked report.

Right click on the report -> Manage -> Create Linked report

Enter Name, Description and Location (if required to change)

Under Advanced tab select appropriate option and then Apply.

You can mark the difference from the below image.

We want to make the change in linked report and wanted to display only red color data by changing in the parameter properties.

Right Click on Linked report -> Manage -> Parameter -> Select red -> Apply

Now run the report.