Types of SSRS Reports

We can create different kind of reports using Reporting Services. This article describes the terminology used for the
various types of reports and the ways reports can be created and then used. A single report can have multiple
characteristics e.g. snapshot reports can be parameterized, ad hoc reports incorporate click through report, and subreports can be linked reports.
With Reporting Services, we can create following types of reports:

Parameterized reports

Linked reports

Snapshot reports

Cached reports

Ad hoc reports

Drilldown reports

Drillthrough reports

Sub-reports

Parameterized reports: A parameterized report uses input parameter to complete report processing. With a
parameterized report, you can filter report data based on the values that are set at run time. Parameterized reports
are frequently used for filtering reports data.
Linked reports: A linked report is a report that provides an access to an existing report. It is similar to a hyperlink that
we use to open a page. A linked report is derived from an existing report and retains the original report definition. We
can create a linked report on the report server when we want to create additional versions of an existing report. We
can create linked reports whenever we want to deploy an existing report with different settings.
Snapshot reports: A snapshot report contains query results that were retrieved at a specific time. Unlike on-demand
reports, which get up-to-date query results when we run the report, snapshots reports are processed on a schedule
and then saved to Report Server. When we select a report snapshot to view, Report Server retrieves the stored report
from the report server database and shows the data and layout that were captured for the report at the time the
snapshot was created.
Report snapshots serve three purposes:
1.

Report history - by creating a series of report snapshots, we can build a history of a report that shows data
changes over time.

2.

Consistency - use report snapshots when you want to provide consistent results for multiple users who must
work with identical sets of data. With volatile data, an on-demand report can produce different results from
one minute to the next.

3.

Performance - by scheduling large reports to run during off-peak hours, we can reduce processing impact on
the Report Server during core business hours.

Cached reports: A cached report is a saved copy of a processed report. These reports are used to improve
performance by reducing the number of processing requests to the report processor and by reducing the time
required to retrieve large reports.

Ad hoc reports: An ad hoc report can be created from an existing Report Model using Report Builder. Ad hoc reports
refer specifically to Report Builder reports. Ad hoc reports leverage report models and pre-defined templates to
enable information workers to quickly and easily explore business data using familiar terminology and data structures
that have been implemented in the report model. Ad hoc reports can be saved and run locally or published to a report
server, just like other Reporting Services reports.
Drilldown reports: Drilldown reports initially hide complexity and enable the user to toggle conditionally hidden report
items to control how much detail data they want to see. Best example of Drilldown report is Sale information for the
Year, then drill down for Quarters followed by Months and week. Other example is Sale by Region then drilldown by
Countries followed by State and Cities.
Drillthrough reports: Drillthrough reports are standard reports that are accessed through a hyperlink on a report
item in the original report. Drillthrough reports work with a main report and are the target of a drill-through action for a
report item such as placeholder text or a chart. The main report displays summary information, for example in a
matrix or chart. Actions defined in the matrix or chart provide drill-through links to reports that display greater details
based on the aggregate in the main report. Drillthrough reports can be filtered by parameters.
Sub-reports: A sub-report displays another report inside the body of a main report. A sub-report is used to embed a
report within another report. Any report can be used as a sub-report. The sub-report can use different data sources
than the main report. We can set up the parent report to pass parameters to the sub-report. Although a sub-report
can be repeated within data regions using a parameter to filter data in each instance of the sub-report, sub-reports
are typically used with a main report as a briefing book or as a container for a collection of related reports.