Data Sources Properties Page (Report Manager)

  • Article

Use the Data Sources properties page to define how the current report connects to an external data source. You can override the data source connection information that was originally published with the report.

If multiple data sources are used with a report, each data source has its own section in the properties page. Data sources are listed in the order in which they are defined in the report.

When specifying a data source to use with the report, you can use a shared data source that is created and managed separately from the reports that use it. If you do not want to use a shared data source item, you can define a data source connection to use with the report.

To open this page, select a report, click the Properties tab at the top of the page, and then click the Data Sources tab at the side of the page.

Options

  • A custom data source
    Specify how the report connects to the data source.

The following options are used to specify a custom data source connection.

  • Connection Type
    Specify the data processing extension that is used to process data from the data source. The report server includes data processing extensions for SQL Server, Analysis Services, Oracle, XML, SQL Server Integration Services (SSIS), SAP, OLE DB, and ODBC. Additional data processing extensions may be available from third-party vendors.

    Note that if you are using SQL Server 2005 Express Edition with Advanced Services, you can only use SQL Server or Analysis Services data sources. For more information, see Reporting Services in SQL Server 2005 Express Edition with Advanced Services.

  • Connection String
    Specify the connection string that the report server uses to connect to the data source. The connection type determines the syntax you should use. For example, a connection string for the XML data processing extension is a URL to an XML document.

    A connection string can be configured as an expression so that you can specify the data source at run time. Data source expressions cannot be defined, viewed, or modified in Report Manager. However, you can replace a data source expression by clicking Override Default to type in a static connection string. If you want to switch back to the expression, click Revert to Default. The report server stores the original connection string in case you need to restore it. In most cases, a typical connection string specifies the database server and a data file.

    The following example illustrates a connection string used to connect to the SQL Server AdventureWorks database:

    data source=<a SQL Server instance>;initial catalog=AdventureWorks

  • Connect Using
    Specifies options that determine how credentials are obtained.

    Important

    If credentials are provided in the connection string, the options and values provided in this section are ignored. Note that if you specify credentials on the connection string, the values are displayed in clear text to all users who view this page.

  • The credentials supplied by the user running the report
    Each user must type in a user name and password to access the data source.

    You can define the prompt text that requests user credentials. The default text string is "Enter a user name and password to access the data source."

    Select Use as Windows credentials when connecting to the data source if the credentials that the user provides are Windows Authentication credentials. Do not select this check box if you are using database authentication (for example, SQL Server Authentication).

  • Credentials stored securely in the report server
    Store an encrypted user name and password in the report server database. Choose this option to run a report unattended (for example, reports that are initiated by schedules or events instead of user action).

    Choose Use as Windows credentials when connecting to the data source if the credentials are Windows Authentication credentials. Do not select this check box if you are using database authentication (for example, SQL Server Authentication).

    Choose Impersonate the authenticated user after a connection has been made to the data source to allow delegation of credentials, but only if a data source supports impersonation. For SQL Server databases, this option sets the SETUSER function.

  • Windows integrated security
    Use the Windows credentials of the current user to access the data source. Choose this option when the credentials that are used to access a data source are the same as those used to log on to the network domain.

    This option works best when Kerberos authentication is enabled for your domain, or when the data source is on the same computer as the report server. If Kerberos is not enabled, Windows credentials can be passed to one other computer. If additional computer connections are required, you will get an error instead of the data you expect.

    Do not use this option to run unattended reports or reports that are available for subscription. The report server initiates the running of unattended reports. The account that the report server runs under cannot be used to access external data sources.

  • Credentials are not required
    Specify that credentials are not required to access the data source. Note that if a data source requires a user logon, choosing this option will have no effect. You should only choose this option if the data source connection does not require user credentials.

    When you configure a data source to use no credentials, you must perform additional steps if the report that uses the data source is to support subscriptions, scheduled report history, or scheduled report execution. Specifically, you must create a low privileged account that the report server uses when running the report. This account is used to connect to external data sources. For more information about this account, see Configuring an Account for Unattended Report Processing.

  • Apply
    Click Apply to save your changes.

See Also

Reference

Report Manager F1 Help

Other Resources

Setting Data Source Properties in Reporting Services
Specifying Credential and Connection Information

Help and Information

Getting SQL Server 2005 Assistance