Datasheet

Analytical Reporting
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FIGURE 1-17
Interactive Reports
Reporting is no longer just about printing information on paper. Reports can be used to gather infor-
mation from users, to update records, and to perform actions. A common request in Reporting Services
solutions is to customize the parameter bar and provide a richer prompting interface for report param-
eters and other user input. The best way to prompt a user for report parameters may be to use a report.
Because a report can call a report action when a user clicks text, images, or other report items, an action
may be used to send parameter information back to the same report.
With a little creativity, parameters, and expression code, users can benefit from a customized navigation
experience. Figure 1-18 shows a report that uses checkbox icons to identify selected or related records
with a checkmark. An interactive version of this report allows users to check list items and then click a
button or image to update, delete, or pass the selected items to another report as parameter selections.
Figure 1-19 shows an example of how report items may be used to track a user’s report navigation
history and provide links to each report in a breadcrumb list. Reports can be used to create custom
menus and launch screens for reports and other applications.
Figue 1-20 shows another example of a report with custom navigation. The box on the left acts as a
table of contents for groups in the report body. Links in that list may be used to navigate within the
report.