Report Properties (Parameters Page)

Use this page to view or modify parameter settings for a parameterized report. Parameters are created during report design by the report author. After the report is published, you can modify some parameter properties. Not all parameter properties can be configured on a published report. The parameter name and data type, for example, are always read-only. Additional restrictions on parameter properties might include how valid values are obtained, whether the parameter is single-valued or multivalued, and whether the parameter is configured with a predefined set of default values. To change the essential aspects of a parameter definition, you must modify the report definition and republish the report.

In some cases, parameter properties that you set on a published report remain in effect after you subsequently republish a report definition that has modified parameters. Previously modified parameter properties are retained on purpose to support continuous report operations and prevent errors. If you modify report parameters in Report Designer, check the published report in Management Studio or Report Manager to verify that the parameter properties are set correctly.

Options

  • Name
    Specifies the name of the parameter. The name is obtained from the report definition.
  • Data Type
    Specifies the data type of the parameter.
  • Has Default
    Select this check box to specify whether the parameter field is initialized with a default value. A default value can be null or a value that you specify in the Default Value field.
  • Null
    Select this check box to specify null as the default value. A null value means that the report runs even if the user does not provide a parameter value. The report author determines whether null values are allowed. This option is available only if the parameter is configured to accept null values in the report definition.
  • Default Value
    Specify a value for the parameter. To specify a default value, Null must not be selected. If you subsequently specify that a prompt be displayed to the user, the default value becomes an initial value that users can either use or modify. If you do not prompt for a parameter value, this value is used for all users who run the report. A default value can be a constant or syntax that is valid for the data processing extension used with the report. If the parameter is multivalued, you can select multiple default values.

    The list of valid values is specified in the report definition at design time. The parameter might be configured to use a static list of values, or values that are obtained from a query.

  • Hide
    Select this check box to hide the parameter in the parameter input area that appears at the top of the report. The parameter will still appear in subscription definition pages and it can still be specified on a report URL. Hiding the parameter is useful when you want to always run the report with a default value.

    Clear this check box if you want the parameter to be visible in the report.

  • Prompt User
    Select this check box to make the parameter field visible on the report. Clear this check box if you want to run the report in unattended mode or if you do not require user input for the value. For example, it is unnecessary to prompt users for a value if you want to always run the report using the same value (specified in the Default Value field) or Null.
  • Prompt String
    Provide a text string that appears next to the parameter text box. This string provides a label or descriptive text. There is no limit on string length. Longer text strings wrap within the space provided.

See Also

Reference

Object Explorer Reporting Services F1 Help

Other Resources

Setting Parameter Properties for a Published Report
Working with Parameters in Reporting Services
Parameterized Reports
Reporting Services F1 Help

Help and Information

Getting SQL Server 2005 Assistance