SSRS Interview consists of various questions related to SQL Server Reporting Services in order to test the skills of various applicants who can either be amateur or an expert in the field related to SSRS. However, to find the best SSRS Developer or user, the following basic yet tricky SSRS Interview Questions and Answers can be used.
Types of SSRS Interview Questions and Answers
SSRS Interview Questions and Answers For Beginners
1. What is SSRS and why is it used?
SSRS [SQL Server Reporting Service], as the name suggests, is a server-based reporting platform developed by Microsoft and is used for sharing or delivering any web-based, paper-based, and interactive content. This platform has its own features and is unique and scalable which can be extended as well.
2. How many types of Reports can SSRS produce?
SSRS can produce the following types of reports:
- Drilldown reports
- Snapshot reports
- Cached reports
- Parameterized reports
- Clickthrough reports
- Sub-reports
- Ad-hoc reports
- Drillthrough reports
- Linked reports.
3. If you want to decrease the overhead of Reporting Services data sources, what will you do?
You can bring in the usage of either Snapshot reports or Cached reports in order to decrease the pressure on processing the data sources and to improve the report response time. Through this, the overhead of Reporting Services data sources is reduced.
4. What is the procedure to use SSIS for producing SSRS reports?
The initial step is to generate a subscription for the desired report from the Report Manager. The next step expects you to enter the format of the report you need and also the recipient’s email address. By this, SSRS Report’s schedule is created followed by a SQL Server Agent Job. The final step is to use the ‘sp_start job’ from SSIS and also the job name of the relevant report after which the SSRS Report Subscription can be pulled out.
5. How do you produce SSRS reports?
The first step is to draft a data source based on which one or more datasets should be prepared. The number of datasets can be based on the body and parameters of the desired report. After this, the needed controls can be used from the toolbox, which is seen as the dataset’s field’s container. Now bring the controls to the format of the report’s body and then run a check, verify and when everything is right, publish or share the report.
6. What are the features of the new SSRS version?
The new SSRS ’15.0.7243.37714’ version with a total size of 105.4 MB was released on 1st November 2019 by Microsoft and they named the file as ‘SQLServerReportingServices.exe’. The reporting functions of this new version include viewing any modern web portal in any modern web browser, optimization of paginated reports and mobile reports with a more responsive and flexible layout.
7. Does MacPro support SSRS functionalities?
SSRS is supported only by Windows and can be used only on Windows platforms. However, one can get this software downloaded in a separate device and then can use it but Windows is the only operational platform for SSRS.
8. Explain the Reporting Life Cycle?
The Reporting generally works with 3 phases starting with developing the reports by developers, followed by the addition of security, execution process, and the schedule for the report, and then finally the report is delivered or transferred to the desired business professionals. In case of any modification, the report is taken to the development stage and the same cycle is followed again.
9. What is the procedure that has to be incurred to automatically deploy SSRS Reports?
This involves the normal method to deploy a report which involves the subscription of the report followed by fixing the attachment’s Render Format and the date and time of when the report should be shared. This will automate the deployment of SSRS Reports. Applications like RSSCripter and Business Intelligence Development Studio can also be used to share SSRS reports.
10. Does SharePoint Mode have any demerits? If any, what are they?
SharePoint has its own limitations as it has a very complex architecture which makes it difficult to maintain it. It is also a costly affair and has weak search capabilities and a big chance that the files can go missing or can be misplaced very easily due to its intricate structure. On the whole, only a well-trained expert can use SharePoint correctly.
11. Does SSRS support Data Mining Models?
Yes. One can create SSRS reports using the mining models and the queries for the SSRS Report data mining, and can also be drafted using the DMX Designer.
12. What are the substitute tools for SSRS?
Open-source applications like Pentaho, Jasper Reports, BIRT, DataVision, JFreeReport, Power BI, Tableau, and OpenReport and non-open source software like Cognos, MS-Excel, SAS, SIEBEL-CRM Oracle Express OLAP, Hyperion (BRIO), Qlikview, IntelliView, Proclarity, and the like are all great substitutes for Microsoft SSRS.
13. What makes SSRS a significant tool and what makes it apt for it to be deployed in projects?
SSRS has many advantages starting from its affordability and its speed that is available to everyone who uses it, unlike only professionals. It can generate reports in the Visual Studio .NET platforms and also in Oracle and MS SQL Server databases. SSRS is also a secured system with automation facilities.
14. How is the process of Authorization carried out?
Authorization is a process that is carried out after the authentication in order to enable the user to access, edit and share the reports. This authorization process functions based on the roles in the native mode in order to restrict the action of the users on the reports. To access and edit a report, the user needs authorization.
15. If you have to backup SSRS, how will you do it?
In order to backup SSRS, the Report Server Databases should be backed up through SQL server backup and restore method. Then the config files that carry the configuration of SQL Server Reporting Services should be copied for the backup and through this configuration, the symmetric keys can be backed up. Finally, the Encryption Keys need to be backed up.
16. Report Server Database has its own configuration wizard and that is?
Through Report Server Database’s own configuration wizard the settings of the Report Server’s database can be changed which in turn allows the user to edit the name and language of the database and also the mode of the Report Server to either SharePoint or Native.
17. In what ways can you refine and enhance the SSRS Reports?
In order to improve the embedding process, the data and properties of the Report Application’s logic should have a duplicate copy. The Reporting server can also be expanded. The server from another database can also be used. The usage of “nolock” during data duplication will improve the function of the queries and will resolve the ‘locking issues.’
18. If not Reporting Caches, what else can be used to filter information in the Query / Dataset?
The queries of all the data can be retrieved and the information will also be filtered when they are grasped from its data sources when PARAMETERS are used instead of Reporting Caches in SSRS.
19. Do SQL Server data sources support Report Builders? If yes, then how?
Yes, Report Builders are supported by SQL Server data sources as there are models that give access to SQL Server Analysis Services which are developed automatically on the Report Server while the models built on SQL Server relational databases’ top can be created and modified using the Report Builder Model Designer. This type of model generation is new and is also supported in Visual Studio platforms.
20. SSRS has various servers. Mention a few of them.
The following servers can be linked with SSRS.
- Teradata
- Flat XML files
- Oracle
- ODBC and OLEDB
- SQL Server (commonly used)
- Hyperion
SSRS Interview Questions and Answers For Experienced
21. How to view SSRS Reports from other non-reporting service sites?
The only way to view SSRS Reports on other websites is by using an HTTP link. However, in SharePoint mode, the reports can be accessed in other sites based on their context but such reports are deployed to reporting services from which they are hosted.
22. Is there a cache in SSRS? If yes, mention it.
SSRS does have a memory of its data and functions as the developed report in SSRS is first made into a copy by the report server in its memory and is only then given to the users to use it. Therefore this memory is called a CACHE and is carried out by a process called CACHING.
23. In order to use BIDS to get a report employed from a different server, what kind of server URL is required and how do you change to the required URL?
All you have to do is to open your project in Solution Explorer and then you can right-click it which will enable you to modify the character of the Target-Server URL. The URL property can be changed to the report server’s virtual directory URL.
24. Service accounts are of 3 types. What are they?
SSRS has 3 types of Service Accounts with different functions of its own. Local Systems functions based on the Windows Credentials, Local Services uses the Reporting Services engine’s properties and tools and the Network Service works through the user’s network credentials.
25. What is the process of getting a query stored in an SSRS Report?
The storage procedure of the database server should be followed which eliminates the storage of SQL in the text format but encourages it to be stored in a compiled format. This is because the stored SQL in SP is more beneficial than that of the ad-hoc query used from the report.
26. How do you install Reporting Services?
The first step is to search for ‘SQLServerReportingServices.exe’ (the downloaded file) in order to start its installation process by clicking the ‘Install Reporting Services’ option, then by selecting the required ‘edition’ , press NEXT and then choose the same option in the ‘terms and agreement’ page. Now the Database Engine can be installed from so pressing NEXT again and after entering its storage location click INSTALL. Remember to use SQL Server Database Engine server while configuring the installed Reporting Services through the ‘Configure Report Server’ option.
27. What are the alternative open-source software for SSRS?
- A Reporting Tool
- BIRT
- Seal Report
- SQL Power Wabit
- ReportServer Community Edition
- Knowage
- JasperReports
- Helicallnsight.
28. Why is a Query Parameter used?
Query Parameters are nothing but the extensions of a URL that helps it to carry out specific actions or content. Therefore, the main function of these query parameters is to get the data from the data source, filtered according to the various parameters by the users.
29. Define Data Regions and state their types.
The object of a report which presents the data from the report dataset through repeated rows of information is called Data Regions and they can be in the form of Lists, Matixs, Charts, gauges, and tables.
30. What is SSRS’s architecture? State the significant components as well.
SSRS has an integrated module structure with many tools and interfaces and also consists of a reporting platform that is both extensible and comprehensive. Data Sources, Report Server and Command-line utilities Reporting Services’ Browser types, Report Designer, Report Manager, and also Report Server Database are all important components of SSRS’ architecture.
SSRS Interview Questions For 5 Years Experienced
31. From the 2012 version of SSRS, what are the Endpoints that were released?
The 3 basic endpoints for SSRS are ReportService2005, ReportService2006, and ReportService2010, and the apt endpoint for the 2012 version of SSRS is RepotService2010 which enables the handling of data in both native and SharePoint modes.
32. What are the limitations of the framework designed for SSRS Reporting?
The SSRS reporting framework has a complex architecture and is regarded as difficult job to even understand its functions. In the case of reporting in large numbers, the loss of data is another major drawback. However, many users still feel that Crystal reports are the best way for reporting which reduces the users for SSRS as Microsoft followed the former method for many years.
33. In order to deploy SSRS one should have certain software and those requirements are?
One can have any version of Windows that consists of 4 or more server packs with a minimum RAM of 256 MB. The processor can be either Intel Pentium 2 or other higher versions. The database should have SQL Server 2000 with at least 3 server packs. The Hard Disk should have at least 50MB for the report server, 100 MB for DOTNET, 30 MB for the report designer, and another 145 MB for samples.
34. Which SSRS’s property should be used in order to display values in the currency format?
The property of the ‘report item’ should be fixed to ‘C’ or ‘c’ in order to display values in the currency format in SSRS.
35. What is the procedure to insert an image in a report?
Open the Report Design View dialogue box and click the image to insert it and then place a box in the image’s size in the design platform. Now the name for the image can be typed in the ‘Image Properties dialog box from the General page. Choose the EMBEDDED option in the ‘Select the image source’ option box and then when the ‘Use this image’ text box appears, press IMPORT and enter the file type and click OPEN. Finally, press OK in the Image Properties dialog box.
36. If not Reporting Caches, what else can be used to filter information in the Query / Dataset?
The Report Parameters that help one to control, connect and vary various report data can be used to filter information in the Query/Dataset. These parameters can also be used for creating Report Designer and Builder and also a SQL Server Mobile Report Publisher in the mobile reports.
37. Explain the terms “Drill-down” and “Drill-through” as per the SSRS notion.
When data is drilled through various reports in order to decompose the problems it is called ‘Drill-through’ while ‘Drill-down’ refers to the process through which the summarized data are decomposed to a detailed one.
38. In order to use SSRS in mobile phones what are the basic requirements?
SQL Server Mobile Report Publisher can be used to produce reports in mobiles or use SSRS in mobiles and to pull this off you will have to get your mobile reports that are flexible, connected to various data sources, and even to Analysis Services Data and SQL Server and get them saved to a Reporting Services server. After this, the mobile reports can be viewed in a browser or in any Power BI mobile apps (iOS and Android) or in any Windows 10 device.
39. How are reports processed in SSRS in a linear fashion?
The method of linear fashion to process SSRS reports starts with compilation, followed by processing and rendering, and finally ends with exporting.
40. Does SSRS sound like a failing industry to you?
SSRS is not a failing industry as Microsoft still pursues its SQL Server and even SSRS, SSIS, and SSAS and has also made a recent purchase of many companies from the BI market which induces the use of SSRS. Though SSRS’s usage is limited and is quite costly, it is still supported and used by Infor and Microsoft ERP Solutions. The possibilities of converging both Power BI and SSRS are also high which increases SSRS’ scope in the future, therefore, it is not a dying industry.
Conclusion
We hope that these SSRS Interview Questions and Answers will definitely help you to crack the interview. These are some of the basic FAQs asked in any SSRS Interview. Therefore, these will not only solve your casual or regular doubts regarding SSRS but will also guide you to be an expert in SSRS and in all of its related fields. However, in case of any further queries, feel free to leave them all in the comments below.
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Liam Plunkett
Solution Architect
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