In this blog post I am going to attempt to show how to create a quick and dirty C# class library as a simple way to provide end-user customization across reports. The sample I will use will be to facilitate Name formatting but this can extended to suit whatever needs you have. For example, we also use it for address formatting, custom encryption/decryption algorithms, .ToUpper/.ToLower functionality and HTML character stripping, to list a few. The first step will be to launch BIDS and create a V...
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I'm going to be making a concerted effort to blog more going into the new year, so I will begin doing small little posts when I come across something I think others might find useful. The backstory: We have several reporting projects to organize reporting across various functional areas of our product suite. Today, I came across a situation where I wanted to use a report from a different project as a subreport. The problem: The drop down box for the report selection will only allow you to pick f...
Imagine the following scenario: You are an unpopular high-school kid who is desperate to make friends. To try and realize that goal, every Friday night you throw a party and pass out invitations to anyone you see (with a question-mark for the party end time because that’s just how happening you are). From time to time one or two people might show up, but it is usually dead. Then, one Friday night, for whatever reason people actually showed up - a lot of people. You are excited and nervous and ar...