I have been quiet over the past year trying to get acclimated to my new job and my new found work life balance. Now that I have figured it all out I am slowly beginning to present on a regular basis. Next Wednesday (2/8/2012) I have the opportunity to give a short talk on SQL Server 2012 AlwaysOn to the Baton Rouge SQL Server and .Net Users group. If you are in and around the area please join me. While I only have 15 minutes to talk, I promise a great presentation. I may run over just a little t...
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During a recent customer engagement I was asked if it was possible to ensure that the colors in a Line Graph for a particular value would be the same color for the same value on a Bar Chart. I thought, GOOD QUESTION. I launched PowerView and started creating a report. First I created the following chart: Notice the color of each line, blue for maximum, red for average and orange for minimum. I created a bar chart using the same values, but using a different axis value. Notice that the colors don...
I am excited to announce that I will be giving a virtual presentation to the Knoxville SQL Server User Group . While I have been giving several internal presentations at Microsoft, I have not been speaking in the community on a regular basis. I look to change that this year. There will only be two slides in this presentation. Most of the time will be spent discussing the new feature and building the model. The details of the meeting is as follows: Topic: Build Your First SSAS Tabular Model When:...
If you are in and around Dallas next week drop by my FREE half-day Business Intelligence workshop. The details are below: Unlock your Data with the Microsoft Business Intelligence Platform Event Details: November 8, 2011 Registration at 8:00am Microsoft Office, Las Colinas LC1 7000 N. State Highway 161 Irving, TX 75039 Registration Begins at 8:00am Click to Register Please join us for a free half day workshop where we will take off the covers for the next release of SQL Server and Business Intel...
One of the less advertised enhancements of SSIS in SQL Server 2012 is the Project Reference type available when using the Execute Package task. Open the Execute Package Task Editor and select Package from the left window. Select Project Reference for the ReferenceType property. Now you can reference any package that exists in the same project. Just click the drop down list labeled PackageNameFromProjectReference and select the package from the list. This is especially useful when building Master...
So recently I was doing a demonstration using the new SQL 2012 SSIS running in Visual Studio 2010. I needed to open my toolbox, of course I went to the menu bar selected View > Toolbox. To my surprise the toolbox was completely empty. What the #$%#? What to do? Well it’s actually pretty simple. Located on the top right corner are two icons. The first opens the variables window and the second opens the SSIS TOOLBOX . Nice, I like it. If your toolbox is empty, don’t worry it’s...
When working at large organizations with several users, managing security using Windows or SQL authentication could be challenging. However, there are a couple of solutions that can be used to quickly and easily resolve the problem. First, you could follow the steps in this whitepaper, Implementing Row and Cell Level Security in Classified Databases . In addition, you can use the SQL Server Label Security Toolkit to assist in the configuration. On the other hand, if your implementation does not ...
First, I want to apologize to the three people that read my blog. Sorry for going dark for such a long period of time. I am not going to commit to writing on a regular basis just yet, but I will be back consistently soon. Enough about me, let’s talk about the problem at hand. Recently, someone asked if it was possible to show column information (description, data type, etc…) in a tooltip. I never really gave that scenario much thought until I was posed with the question. So, is it p...
The indicators that are available in SQL 2008R2 adds great visualizations to your reports. I was recently building an SSRS demonstration and I stumbled upon an additional feature that makes the indicator even more visually appealing. Using a not so obvious property of the indicator you can set its size. The value must be between 0 and 1 or an expression that results in a value between 0 and 1. To change the size of an indicator, ensure that you have selected the indicator that you want to resize...
I know you have missed the crazy antics, but after taking a short hiatus from my community contributions, the SQL Lunch is back. #60-Let’s Talk about SQL Powershell Speaker: Max Trinidad Add To Outlook: Add To Calendar Live Meeting URL: https://www.livemeeting.com/cc/usergroups/join?id=G83CS9&role=attend Date and Time: 5/24/2011 11:30:00 AM CST BIO: Max Trinidad is a native of Puerto Rico and has been working with computers since 1979. He has worked with Dbase III/IV, Clipper, RPG, OS/400, O...
Ok, so what have I been up to? Well a lot has changed for me over the past couple of months, primarily my job. Initially I wasn’t going to blog about this, but after a couple of conversations with a few well respected people in the SQL community I decided to write a post. As many of you know I was a Business Intelligence Architect for Pragmatic Works, which was a great position. That job catapulted my career into orbit, literally. However, with the fast-paced I kind of lost myself. I was given s...
A question that I have been asked quite often is, “How can I change the Report Server that I am connected to in Report Builder?” I never really thought about it until then. To change the connection click the Disconnect link located at the bottom of the Report Builder Designer: Once you click it you will be allowed to re-connect using the Connect link: You will then be presented with the Connect to Report Server dialogue window: In dropdown list labeled Report server type the URL of the Report Se...
This week I am happy to announce the second SQL University SQL Lunch presentation. What’s makes this exciting is that the speakers are a group of some of the most respected and talented SQL Server women professionals in our community. If you have time on Friday join the meeting. PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS MEETING STARTS AT 1PM EST TIME! #51-Women In Technology Speaker: Women In Technology Add To Outlook: Add To Calendar Live Meeting URL: https://www.livemeeting.com/cc/usergroups/joinid=C4CTDH&rol...
I was really excited about the concept of Shared DataSets when they were introduced. My excitement diminished a little when I ran into a small issue. When you create an embedded data set based on a SSAS Cube that includes a parameter, a hidden dataset is automatically created that provides the parameter values. Thus creating a drop down list of available choices on the report. However, if the data set was created from a Shared Dataset the Hidden Dataset is not created when you add the shared dat...
I rarely use filters in my SSRS reports. However, this was a client requirement. When we attempted to use the filter to our surprise it did not work. The actual problem involved using a table that contained a column that was of a CHAR data type. After a little digging we realized that the cause of the problem was the column data type. Assume you are using the following query as the source for your report, which can be run against the AdventureWorks sample database: SELECT Name, ProductNumber, CA...
Join us tomorrow on the SQL Lunch for a little SSIS. Topic: #50-Solitary Containment - An Overview of SSIS Containers If you’ve ever felt stranded, all by yourself, not knowing how or where to implement containers in your SSIS packages make sure you attend SQL Lunch Thursday March 3rd! Chris Albrektson will release you from your solitary confinement by covering all the different types of containers available to you in SSIS. Speaker: Chris Albrektson Add To Outlook: Add To Calendar Date and Time:...
As most of you know I am a consultant with Pragmatic Works , which requires me to travel a bit. During my travels I encounter new people, new places and what I realized recently new food. I am not going to say this is some type of new blog series that I am starting, because I have started several and just got bored with them after a few postings. What I am going to say is that if time allows I am going to share a few thoughts and photos on places that I eat during my travels. With that, here are...
Over the past couple of weeks I have given several presentations. At each presentation I have promised to post the slides and demos for each. Well finally here they are. I want to apologize for the long delay. SQL Lunch 47 – Introduction to Change Data Capture ( watch video ) Pragmatic Works Free Training Webinar – Change Data Capture with SSIS ( watch video ) SQL Saturday #57 Houston – SSIS: Configuring, Deploying and a Little Tuning SQL Saturday #57 Houston – What’s new in Reporting Services R...
Since I am working at a client this week in Houston, I begged Nancy Hide Wilson (President Houston SQL Server Users Group) to let me speak at her monthly Users Group meeting. Fortunately, she did not have anyone lined up, therefore she graciously agreed. If you are in the Houston Area or have access to a computer join the User Group. I will be giving a talk on Incremental Data Warehouse loads using SSIS and CDC. Visit the Houston Groups Site for more details. Talk to you soon, Patrick LeBlanc, M...
Recently at SQL Saturday #57 – Houston I explained how to add a custom folder to your SSIS package store. I promised to provide the steps in my blog on how to do this. So, here you go. First, open the MsDtsSrvr.ini file, which is stored here by default: C:\Program Files\Microsoft SQL Server\100\DTS\Binn With the file open copy the following code chunk: Change the Name attribute to the desired name and change the StorePath attribute to the location where your SSIS Packages will be stored. Paste t...
Over the past six months I have writing chapters for my next book. The book is titled SharePoint 2010 Business Intelligence 24-Hour Trainer . This was a group effort with a bunch of us from Pragmatic Works consulting. If you want to learn about SharePoint Business Intelligence this book is a must read. Talk to you soon, Patrick LeBlanc, MVP founder www.SQLLunch.com
Well, one of my goals this year was to focus on branding myself a little more. So I decided to launch www.patrickdleblanc.com . My wife hates the site. She hates it because she thinks it is not professional. I, on-the-other-hand, thinks it reflects who I am. Each image represents how I think about, search for, absorb and share any knowledge I learn about SQL Server. So far I only have the main blog page up, but I am working on adding a few additional pages. This is kind of interesting for me bec...
Join me tomorrow for a little CDC. #47-Introduction to Change Data Capture Speaker: Patrick LeBlanc Add To Outlook: Add To Calendar Meeting URL: https://www.livemeeting.com/cc/usergroups/join?id=269DRP&role=attend Date and Time: 2/1/2011 11:30:00 AM CST BIO: Patrick LeBlanc, SQL Server MVP, is currently a Business Intelligence Architect for Pragmatic Works. He has worked as a SQL Server DBA for the past 9 years. His experience includes working in the Educational, Advertising, Mortgage, Medic...
So you don’t have anything to do this Saturday. Well, if you have an insatiable thirst for SQL knowledge like me, come out to SQL Saturday #57 Houston . I will be presenting two sessions: SSIS: Tuning, Configuring and Deploying SSRS: What’s new in R2 This is going to be a great event with several great sessions. See you there! Talk to you soon Patrick LeBlanc, MVP, MCTS Founder www.sqllunch.com
The SQL Lunch and SQL University have combined forces. Come and watch, laugh, and learn. #48-SSIS Tips&Tricks (Advanced SSIS) Speaker: Josef Richberg Add To Outlook: Add To Calendar Date and Time: 1/28/2011 11:30:00 AM CST BIO: A SQL practitioner for over 17 years specializing in performance & tuning. I currently work for Harpercollins Publishers designing, enhancing, and improving, the sql experience for many of the data warehouse applications. I have been heavily involved in designing ...