Working with Parameters (Report Builder)
New: 17 July 2006
A parameter is a variable that sets the scope of the data returned when a report is run. You can provide a default value, or the person running the report can select a value or set of values.
When you add parameters to your report, you are allowing the person reading the report to control what information is displayed at runtime. For example, suppose you create a report that displays sales information for each sales territory. If you add a parameter that requires the user to select which sales territory they want to view, the report displays only the sales information for that specific sales territory. If they want to view the sales information for another territory, they can select another sales territory from the parameter list and run the report again.
Important
Parameters are not used for row-level security; they do not prevent users or groups of users from seeing specific rows of data. To apply security to the data displayed within a report, you need to use security filters or model item security. For more information about using security filters, consult your database administrator and/or the person who designed the source of data that you are using for your reports.
To add parameters to your report, you need to open the Filter Data dialog box, create a filter clause based on the entity or field that you want to use as a parameter, and then click the field or entity and select the Prompt option. To specify a default, type or select a value for the entity or field in the filter clause. You can add an unlimited number of parameters in your reports.
Note
When report readers view the parameters list, the values might not be sorted.
See Also
Tasks
How to: Add or Remove a Parameter (Report Builder)
Concepts
Working with Data (Report Builder)
Designing a Report (Report Builder)
Working with Filters (Report Builder)
Other Resources
Filter Data Dialog Box (Report Builder)