1. Background
The aim of this article is to describe a way of Report
Snapshot creation and how we can utilize the snapshot. Report Snapshot is very useful when we need
report for a specific point of time. By using Report Snapshot, We can maintain
history reports (e.g month wise reports) that will be helpful for analysis
purpose.
Snapshot creation and how we can utilize the snapshot. Report Snapshot is very useful when we need
report for a specific point of time. By using Report Snapshot, We can maintain
history reports (e.g month wise reports) that will be helpful for analysis
purpose.
2. What is Report Snapshot?
- A report snapshot is a report that contains
layout information and query results that were retrieved at a specific point in
time. - We can say that it is the replica of report
executed at a specific time. - All the report snapshot saved in ReportServer
DB. - Report Snapshot will not provide you the
latest data from the data source. - We can create report snapshot on schedule
basis. - By creating a series of report snapshots, you
can build a history of a report that shows how data changes over time. - By scheduling large reports to run during
off-peak hours, you can reduce processing impact on the report server during
core business hours.
3.
Prerequisite
- Reporting Services should be configured
- SQL Agent service should run.
- Credential should store securely in the
report server for the data source mapped to Report/Report Dataset. Below is the
screenshot from Datasource property page:
.
4.
Steps to create Report Snapshot:
Below
is the sample report showing census details of India:
is the sample report showing census details of India:
This
report is extracting data from the source database. Now we will create the
snapshot of this report so that snapshot of this report should have data up to
this specific time only.
report is extracting data from the source database. Now we will create the
snapshot of this report so that snapshot of this report should have data up to
this specific time only.
I.
For creating a Report Snapshot, go to the
report, click on drop button over the report and select Manage :
II.
Click on Report History and then click on New
Snapshot:
III.
It will create the report snapshot with time
stamp:
IV.
Go to Processing option and select “Render
this report from a report snapshot”:
V.
Now run the report to ensure report is
working fine:
Report is working fine
with Report Snapshot.
with Report Snapshot.
VI.
Report Dataset definition is selecting all the data from Population
table:
VII.
To test report snapshot, we will add some
data to source table. Initially, we have 10 records in the Population table so
report is showing 10 records only. Now I have added 5 more records and so table
is having total 15 records.
Here we can see 5 new records
also.
also.
VIII.
Now preview the report and see whether you
are able to see the new records in the report or not:
Report is showing only old records only. It is not showing latest data from the database because this
report is retrieving from the report snapshot that was created before data
changes done in DB.
report is retrieving from the report snapshot that was created before data
changes done in DB.
IX.
Now I am changing the Processing option from
Report Snapshot to “Always run this
report with most recent data”:
Click Apply.
X.
Now run the report and see the data. It should display latest data from database:
So it is concluded that Report snapshot does not display data from data source. it will show report from a snapshot that has been created at a specific point of time.
5.
How to
schedule the report snapshot:
I.
To create a report snapshot, we can either
create a Report specific schedule or Shared schedule.
To create a report snapshot, we can either
create a Report specific schedule or Shared schedule.
II.
For Report specific schedule, go to the
report properties then processing option then select “Render this report from a
report snapshot”. Finally select “Report specific schedule”
For Report specific schedule, go to the
report properties then processing option then select “Render this report from a
report snapshot”. Finally select “Report specific schedule”
III.
Click on Configure and schedule the report:
Click ok.
IV.
For shared schedule, go to site setting then
Schedule and create a schedule
Map the same shared
schedule to report.
schedule to report.
6.
Report History
We
can see the history to refer old snapshots. To see the history, go to report
properties then Report History:
can see the history to refer old snapshots. To see the history, go to report
properties then Report History:
We
can directly click on any snapshot to see the report for that specific point of
time.
can directly click on any snapshot to see the report for that specific point of
time.
7. Conclusion
By using the above steps, we can create Report Snapshots.
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