Create a report server database, Report Server Configuration Manager

Applies to: ✅ SQL Server 2016 (13.x) Reporting Services and later ✅ Power BI Report Server ✅ SharePoint

For content related to previous versions of SQL Server Reporting Services (SSRS), see SQL Server 2014 Reporting Services.

SQL Server Reporting Services native mode uses two SQL Server relational databases to store report server metadata and objects. One database is used for primary storage, and the second one stores temporary data.

The databases are created together and bound by name. With a default SQL Server instance, the databases are named reportserver and reportservertempdb. Collectively, the two databases are called the report server database or report server catalog.

SQL Server Reporting Services SharePoint mode includes a third database that's used for data alerting metadata. The three databases are created for each SSRS service application. The database names by default include a GUID that represents the service application.

The following are example names of the three SharePoint mode databases:

  • ReportingService_90a9f37075544f22953c4a62e4a9f370

  • ReportingService_90a9f37075544f22953c4a62e4a9f370TempDB

  • ReportingService_90a9f37075544f22953c4a62e4a9f370_Alerting

Important

Don't write applications that run queries against the report server database. The report server database isn't a public schema. The table structure might change from one release to the next. If you write an application that requires access to the report server database, always use the SQL Server Reporting Services APIs to access the report server database.

Execution log views are exceptions to this rule. For more information, see Report Server ExecutionLog and the ExecutionLog3 View.

Ways to create the report server database

Native mode

You can create the native mode report server database in the following ways:

  • Automatic. Use the SQL Server setup wizard if you choose the default configuration option for installation. In the SQL Server Installation Wizard, this option is Install and configure on the Report Server Installation Options page. If you choose the Install only option, you must use SQL Server Report Server Configuration Manager to create the database. (Applies only to SQL Server Reporting Services 2016 and earlier)

  • Manual. Use SQL Server Reporting Services Configuration Manager. Create the report server database manually if you use a remote SQL Server Database Engine to host the database. For more information, see Create a Native Mode Report Server Database.

SharePoint mode

The Report Server Installation Options page has only one option for SharePoint mode, Install Only. This option installs all the SQL Server Reporting Services files and the SQL Server Reporting Services shared service. The next step is to create at least one SSRS service application in one of the following ways:

Database server version requirements

SQL Server is used to host the report server databases. The SQL Server Database Engine instance can be local or remote. The following supported versions of SQL Server Database Engine can host the report server databases:

  • Azure SQL Managed Instance

  • SQL Server 2022

  • SQL Server 2019

  • SQL Server 2017
  • SQL Server 2016 (13.x)

  • SQL Server 2014 (12.x)

  • SQL Server 2012 (11.x)

Note

SQL on Linux isn't a supported environment to host a SQL Server Reporting Services database.

If you create the report server database on a remote computer, configure the connection to use a domain user account or a service account that has network access. If you use a remote SQL Server instance, consider which credentials the report server should use to connect to the instance. For more information, see Configure a Report Server Database Connection (Report Server Configuration Manager).

Important

The report server and the SQL Server instance hosting the report server database can be in different domains. For internet deployment, it's common practice to use a server that's behind a firewall.

If you configure a report server for internet access, use SQL Server credentials to connect to the instance of SQL Server that's behind the firewall. Secure the connection by using IPSEC.

Edition requirements for a database server

When you create a report server database, not all editions of SQL Server can be used to host the database. For more information, see Edition requirements for the report server database in SQL Server Reporting Services features supported by its editions.

Next steps

Read about Report Server Configuration Manager.

More questions? Ask the Reporting Services forum.