Secure shared dataset items
On a report server, you can use shared dataset items on multiple reports. You can secure shared datasets to control the degree of access that users have. By default, only users who are members of the Administrators built-in group can view shared datasets, modify properties, enable caching, create cache refresh plans, and delete the items. All other users must have role assignments created for them that allow access to a shared dataset.
To set security, create a role assignment that specifies which user or group account has access to the shared dataset.
Role-based access to shared datasets
To grant access to shared datasets, you can allow users to inherit existing role assignments from a parent folder or create a new role assignment on the item itself.
Default role assignments that enable you to add, delete, edit item properties, and view related reports and shared data sources for shared datasets are Content Manager, My Reports, and Publisher. To edit a shared dataset definition, use the default role assignments Report Builder or Content Manager.
Because role assignments are typically inherited from a parent node, a folder that has the View reports task enabled passes that permission to shared datasets and reports in the folder.
You can provide more control over shared datasets and their query results. To do so, configure item level security on the shared dataset item or save shared datasets to a folder. Then, configure item level security on the folder.
Shared dataset parameters
Shared dataset parameters can't be used to restrict data for specific users. The purpose of shared dataset parameters is to provide a way to specify which data to include when the shared dataset is processed. On the report server, you can't secure the values for a shared dataset parameter.
In the shared dataset definition, you can mark parameters as read-only and specify default values. Parameters that are marked read-only can't be overridden on the server. For example, in a cache refresh plan for a shared dataset, you can't specify values for read-only parameters. If the shared dataset parameters include expressions that refer to the User global collection, or have any other user dependencies, you can't create a cache refresh plan for the shared dataset.
Tasks, access to items, and default roles
Shared datasets follow the same security model as reports. To provide a user with permission for specific actions, choose a role that includes the corresponding task that includes those permissions. The following table lists tasks and the actions they include.
| Select this task | To give users permission to | Default roles that include the task |
|---|---|---|
| View reports | View the shared dataset item in the folder hierarchy. Without this task, the item isn't visible to users and they might not realize that the dataset is available. | Browser Content Manager Report Builder My Reports |
| Manage reports | View properties that specify the name, description, and connection information. This task is also used to display a shared dataset item in the folder hierarchy. If you choose this task, you can omit the "View reports" task. | Content Manager Publisher My Reports |
| Consume reports | View the shared dataset definition. | Content Manager Report Builder |
| Set security on items | Create and modify role assignments that control access to the shared dataset. This task must be used with either "View reports" or "Manage reports" tasks. If it isn't, it has no effect because the user can't select the item. | Content Manager |
For more information, see Item-level tasks and Predefined roles.