How to: Create or Edit a Report-Specific Data Source (Report Designer)

To create a report-specific data source

In Data view, from Dataset, select <New Dataset...>. The Dataset dialog box opens.
From Data Source, select New Data Source.
In Data Link Properties, follow the instructions on the Connection tab. The contents of the Connection, Advanced, and All tabs vary depending on the type of data source. To change the data source type, click the Provider tab and select a data provider.

In Data view, in Dataset, select the dataset that contains the data source to edit, and then click the build (...) button. The Dataset dialog box opens.
From Data source, select the data source, and then click the build (...) button.
In Name, type a name for the data source.

Note

The data source name is used internally within the report. For clarity, it is recommended that the name of the data source contains the name of the database that is specified in the connection string.
From Type, select a type of data source; for example, SQL Server or OLE DB.
Click Edit to build the connection string. Alternatively, type the connection string in Connection string and skip the following step.

Note

To use a shared data source instead of a report data source, click Use Shared data source reference, and then select the shared data source. You cannot edit the type or connection string if Shared data source reference is selected, because those properties are obtained from the shared data source.
In Data Link Properties, follow the instructions on the Connection tab. The contents of the Connection, Advanced, and All tabs vary depending on the type of data source. To change the data source type, click the Provider tab and select a data provider.