How to Add a Data Source to Report Builder 3.0

Report Builder is a small report design tool that is installed on your report server as part of Microsoft SQL Server. This helps you create reports by using a familiar Microsoft Office–style interface. You can build simple statements or complex, data‑driven reports by using built‑in wizards or by writing your own queries. When you work with report templates, Report Builder connects to the correct shared data source automatically. When you create a new report, you need to add a data source before you can build datasets or visuals.

Report Manager includes two shared data sources you can use when building reports:

  • Reports/config: Provides templates, branding data, and scheduling metadata.

  • Reports/warehouse: Provides access to the warehouse for report data.

When you open a report template, Report Builder connects to its assigned shared data source automatically. For a new, blank report, you must add the data source yourself.

Add a data source

  1. In Report Builder, open the Report Data pane.

  2. Select Data Sources, then select Add Data Source.

  3. Choose Use a shared connection.

  4. Select the <reportserver> shared data source you want to use (for example, Reports/warehouse).

  5. Save the report.

The data source appears under Data Sources in the Report Data pane.

Report Model–based data sources are deprecated and no longer supported in SQL Server 2012 and later. Use shared data sources instead.