Working with Tablix Data Regions (Report Builder 2.0)

Use the Tablix data region to display fields from a dataset either as detail data or as grouped data in a grid or free-form layout. Reporting Services provides three templates for a Tablix data region that you can add directly from the Toolbox: table, matrix, and list.

• Table. Use a table to display detail data, organize the data in row groups, or both. The Table template contains three columns with a table header row and a details row for data. The following figure shows the initial table template, selected on the design surface:

  

  For more information, see Adding a Table (Report Builder 2.0).

• Matrix. Use a matrix to display aggregated data summaries, grouped in rows and columns, similar to a PivotTable or crosstab. The number of rows and columns for groups is determined by the number of unique values for each row and column groups. The following figure shows the initial matrix template, selected on the design surface:

  

  For more information, see Adding a Matrix (Report Builder 2.0).

• List. Use a list to create a free-form layout. You are not limited to a grid layout, but can place fields freely inside the list. You can use a list to design a form for displaying many dataset fields or as a container to display multiple data regions side by side for grouped data. For example, you can define a group for a list; add a table, chart, and image; and display values in table and graphic form for each group value, as you might for an employee or patient record.

  

  For more information, see Adding a List (Report Builder 2.0).

You are not limited by your initial template choice. As you add groups, totals, and labels, you may find you want to modify your Tablix design. For example, you might start with a table and then delete the details row and add column groups. For more information, see Exploring the Flexibility of a Tablix Data Region (Report Builder 2.0).

You can continue to develop a table, matrix, or list by adding any Tablix feature. Tablix features include displaying detail data or aggregates for grouped data on rows and columns. You can create nested groups, independent adjacent groups, or recursive groups. You can filter and sort grouped data, and easily combine groups by including multiple group expressions in a group definition. For more information, see Grouping Data in a Data Region (Report Builder 2.0).

You can also add totals for a group or grand totals for the data region. You can hide rows or columns to simplify a report and enable the user to toggle the display of the hidden data, as in a drilldown report. For more information, see Controlling the Tablix Data Region Display on a Report Page (Report Builder 2.0).

For detailed information about the Tablix data region, see Understanding the Tablix Data Region (Report Builder 2.0).