Enabling and configuring report history in SQL Server Reporting Services (SSRS) is an effective method to retain previous versions of reports and track changes over time. Below are the steps to enable and configure report history:
Step 1: Access Report Manager
First, log in to the SSRS Report Manager. This is typically done by accessing the URL associated with the SSRS instance.
Step 2: Select the Report to Configure History
In the Report Manager, locate and select the report project you wish to enable history for. Click the dropdown menu to the right of the report name and select the 'Manage' option.
Step 3: Configure History Snapshots
On the report's Manage page, find the 'History' tab and click to enter. Here, you can see various settings related to report history.
3.1 Enable History Snapshots
First, ensure the 'Store History Snapshots' option is selected. This allows the system to periodically save snapshots of the report.
3.2 Configure History Parameters
- Limit the Number of Snapshots: Set the number of history snapshots to retain. For example, if configured to 10, the oldest snapshot is automatically deleted each time a new one is generated to ensure only the latest 10 are kept.
- Time-based Snapshots: You can also schedule snapshots based on time, such as daily or weekly.
Step 4: Set Snapshot Update Schedule
Using the 'Schedule' tab, configure the specific time for generating history snapshots. Leverage SSRS's built-in scheduling tools to set times (e.g., overnight daily) for automatic report snapshot generation.
Step 5: Save Configuration
After configuration, save all settings to ensure the report history feature operates according to the scheduled plan.
Example
At my previous company, we had a monthly sales report requiring tracking of monthly data changes. By following these steps, we set up a schedule to automatically save history snapshots on the 1st of each month. This not only helped management track trend changes but also enabled quick access to historical reports during reviews.
Through this approach, the report history feature in SSRS helps business teams maintain data transparency and accessibility while improving decision quality.