The optimal combination of tools for flexible reports

  • Hi Folks,

    I could not find the most appropriate forum for this question so I used this one.

    I would like to build a report with nice functionalities like filter, sorting, drill-down, something like a PowerPivot Table, but with some layout/design/format capabilities. I would also want to publish the report, refresh it let´s say once a week, notify users when a new version is available, etc.

    If I use PowerPivot, then I am not able to customized the report or to mix data from different sources in one table.

    If I convert the cells of the PowerPivot table to workbook formulas I lose the filter, sorting, etc functionalities.

    I still have to try using Reporting Services, but I think that always something is missing.

    What do you think could be a good trade-off.

    Any comment will be appreciated,

    Kind Regards

    Paul Hernández
  • If you're only building one report, then I'd suggest working backwards from the requirements; _first_ figure out what you need the report top do, and _then_ decide what platform allows you to do that easiest. From your question, it sounds like you just think a report would be nice, but don't really know exactly what it needs to do. I don't mean that to sound insulting, I encounter that sort of problem a _LOT_ and have found that it is very important to address that before going any further.

    You mentioned mixing data from multiple sources. I'd suggest not doing this from within the report. Instead, build a consistent data model from your data layer, whether that's a stored procedure, a MS shared data source, or SSIS into an SSAS cube.

    Check out report builder, it sounds like the sort of platform you're looking for (unless your requirements don't require that much complexity.)

    I hope that helps.



    Dan Guzman - Not the MVP (7/22/2010)
    All questions have to be prefaced by Server version and 'according to MS Docs' or 'my own personal opinion based on how much detail I felt like digging into at the time.'

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