Hidden Parameters in SQL Server 2000 Reporting Services.

Hi all,

I am having a problem. I know of hidden parameters in SQL 2005 RS, but I need to have this functionality as well for SQL 2000 RS. I read on the Net that MS SQL 2000 RS Service Pack 1 adds this functionality. I have installed SP4 for SQL 2000, then I installed RS SP1 on my laptop, but I don't see that functionality in VS 2003 Enterprise Architect. I even installed RS SP2 on my other machine, but still no joy. Am I missing something here or is Microsoft lying about this functionality? My client will be upgrading to SQL 2005 sometime in the near future (if they don't change their minds again), but I need to implement this kind of functionality now. I can't wait for them to upgrade to SQL 2005. This parameter I need to hide in the reports is necessary to ensure the reports show data by specific department. I'll implement it in such a way that when they call the report from the web application, I'll pass the departmentID to the report via the query string.

P.S. It is not possible for me to achieve this using JOINs in the queries. The parameter lists themselves depend on this value.

Thanks a lot in advance for this

Ciao,
Hi there everyone.

I found the "solution" to this problem. You cannot set the hidden property of a parameter from within visual studio 2003 for SQL 2000 RS. You'll have to set it using the Report Manager. This is done in the "Properties" section under "Parameters" for the specific report. There is a checkbox for "Prompt user" which must be de-selected and the parameter will be invisible. A user must then select a default value for the parameter (which can be changed using the querystring when the parameter is called from an application). The query prompt must also be made to null.

This, to me, is very silly. But at least that is the solution.

Hope this helps you guys out there.

Eduard K.
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Hi Eduard,

I was experiencing the same problem. The solution as proposed using the Report Manager works indeed. However, I have to update my reports quit frequently and dont want to go to the Report Manager each time I deploy my reports. So here is the solution.

First remove the parameter from your report and deploy it. (This clears the parameter on the report server)

Then create the parameter again but leave the Prompt in VS2003 for the parameter empty. Deploy the report.

Because the prompt field is empty the report server will create the parameter but (and I checked this after deploying) the checkbox 'Prompt user' for the parameter in question in unchecked.

I hope this helps you to

Greetz

sql