Working with Data Regions
Data regions are report items that display repeated rows of data from underlying datasets. These rows can be displayed in a table, matrix, list, or chart.
Each data region is associated with a single dataset. The dataset defines the data that can be used in a data region. When you use multiple data regions in a report, you can configure each data region to use a different dataset. For example, you can add a chart to a report that shows a summary of sales information for a store based on one dataset, and a detail table of recent orders based on another dataset. If a report uses only one dataset, all data regions use that dataset by default. For more information about datasets and associating data regions with datasets, see Defining Report Datasets and How to: Associate a Data Region with a Dataset (Report Designer).
In This Section
- Working with Table Data Regions
Describes tables and how to use them to a report.
- Working with Matrix Data Regions
Describes matrices and how to use them to a report.
- Working with List Data Regions
Describes lists and how to use them to a report.
- Working with Chart Data Regions
Describes charts and how to use them to a report.
- Grouping Data in a Report
Discusses how to use grouping within data regions.
- Sorting Data in a Report
Discusses how to use sorting within data regions.
You can put multiple data regions on a report. You can also nest data regions. There are no limits on the number of data regions you can have, aside from how it may affect performance on the report server. Multiple data regions that are not nested are not linked and can exist above, below or beside each other.
Data regions can share parameters, other global variables, and datasets. Parameters exist outside data regions, so any field or property that uses an expression can reference the parameter collection.
Repeating Data Regions
You can use nested data regions to display the same data region multiple times in your report. For example, you can create a sales order data report that repeats a single sales order table multiple times, once for each employee. You do this by creating another data region, such as a list, and setting the grouping on that data region to employee. You would then place the table inside of the data region. Datasets for both data regions must be the same. If you need to create a report that uses grouping like this (such as in a master-detail page) but with different datasets, use a subreport.
Empty Data Regions
When the dataset for a data region returns no data, the data region is not rendered. Instead, a text box is rendered that displays the value of the NoRows property. You can edit the NoRows property in the Properties window of Report Designer. The appearance properties for the data region (for example, Color, Font, and Padding) apply to the NoRows text box.
Data Regions and Other Report Items
In some rendering formats, as a data region expands, the position of other report items can change. This occurs if a report item is placed below the bottom edge of a table, matrix, or list, or to the right of the right edge of a matrix. For example, if you place a text box below and to the left of a table, the table will push the text box down as it expands. However, if you place the same text box directly to the left of the table, but not below it, it will stay in position to the side of the table.
If you want a report item to stay in place to the side or above a data region as it expands, create a rectangle, place it above the bottom edge or to the left of the data region, and then place the report item within the rectangle. The rectangle stays in place next to the data region, and the report item stays within the rectangle.
See Also
Concepts
Working with Data in a Report Layout
Understanding Data Regions
Formatting Report Items