SSRS Multi-Dataset Pagination Challenges

By Tom Nonmacher

Welcome to another insightful post on SQLSupport.org. Today, we delve into a popular topic that has raised quite a few eyebrows in the SQL Server Reporting Services (SSRS) community - handling multi-dataset pagination challenges. SSRS, a part of the Microsoft SQL Server 2022 suite, is a robust server-based report generating system that allows users to create interactive, tabular, graphical, or free-form reports from relational, multidimensional, or XML-based data sources. However, when dealing with multiple datasets in a single report, pagination can become a complex issue. This blog post aims to shed light on this and provide practical solutions.

One common issue with multi-dataset pagination in SSRS is the misalignment of data when trying to control the pagination manually. For instance, when datasets have differing numbers of rows, controlling the pagination manually can lead to data overflow or underflow. While Azure SQL and Microsoft Fabric have somewhat addressed this issue with automated data management and scalable processing, these solutions are not perfect and can still lead to inconsistencies in the report layout. 


-- SQL code example
SELECT a.name, b.address
FROM Customers a, Orders b
WHERE a.customerID = b.customerID
ORDER BY a.name;

To fix these misalignments, we can employ Delta Lake. Delta Lake is an open-source storage layer that brings ACID transactions to Apache Spark and big data workloads. It provides a more reliable method of handling data inconsistencies. By using Delta Lake alongside Databricks, we can streamline the data handling and ensure proper alignment during pagination. The code below demonstrates a simple way to implement this: 


-- SQL code example
CREATE TABLE events (
  date DATE,
  eventId STRING,
  eventType STRING,
  data STRING)
USING DELTA;

Another challenge posed by multi-dataset pagination in SSRS is the difficulty in maintaining page layout integrity when datasets vary in size. This is particularly problematic when trying to create a summary report that incorporates multiple datasets of varying row lengths. One way to overcome this challenge is by using OpenAI and SQL. OpenAI can be used to train a machine learning model that predicts the optimal page layout based on the size and attributes of the datasets involved.

In conclusion, while multi-dataset pagination in SSRS presents its own set of challenges, they are not without solutions. By combining the powers of SQL Server 2022, Azure SQL, Microsoft Fabric, Delta Lake, OpenAI, and Databricks, we can efficiently manage these challenges and create well-structured, easy-to-read reports. Stay tuned to SQLSupport.org for more insights and solutions to your SQL challenges.

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