Tutorial: Creating a Basic Matrix Report

This tutorial is designed to help you create a basic matrix report using Report Designer based on the AdventureWorks2008 database. In this tutorial, you will open an existing report project, define a dataset and a query, add a matrix data region with some fields, create nested row groups and column groups and an adjacent column group, apply formatting, add totals, and preview the report. You will also learn how to publish a report to a report server to share with other users.

In a report, a matrix is used to display aggregate summaries for grouped data in a report dataset, similar to a PivotTable or crosstab report. Typically, a matrix does not include detail data. To display detail data, use a table. To view step-by-step instructions for creating a basic table, see Tutorial: Creating a Basic Table Report.

Note

To complete this tutorial, you must be running Reporting Services in native mode. If you are running Reporting Services in SharePoint integrated mode, the steps that use report server URLs will not work. For more information about Reporting Services modes, see Planning a Deployment Mode. For more information about deploying projects, see Deploying Models and Shared Data Sources to a SharePoint Site.

Requirements

Your system must have the following installed to use this tutorial:

  • Microsoft SQL Server 2008 with the AdventureWorks2008 database installed. SQL Server 2008 samples and sample databases must be downloaded and installed before you can view or work with them. For more information, see Considerations for Installing SQL Server Samples and Sample Databases. To read about support for SQL Server sample databases and sample code for SQL Server Express, see Databases and Samples Overview on the CodePlex Web site.

  • SQL Server 2008 Reporting Services (SSRS).

  • SQL Server Business Intelligence Development Studio.

    Note

    Business Intelligence (BI) Development Studio is not supported on Itanium-based computers. However, support for BI Development Studio is available for x64-based computers. If the SQL Server sample databases have been deployed on an Itanium-based computer, use BI Development Studio on either an x86-based or x64-based computer to modify and run the samples.

You must also have read-only permissions to retrieve data from the AdventureWorks2008 database.

You must have completed the first two lessons from Tutorial: Creating a Basic Table Report.