While database data can be filtered through Data Set Parameters, the filtering done
on the back-end database, other types of Data Sets, such as the XML, flat file, and
scripted Data Sources do not have that capability. So how can you filter that data
based on user input? The answer is by binding the Report Parameter to a Filter
expression. You may recall that in the last chapter we were able to filter an XML
Data Set by using a specialized expression, to only retrieve employees who had
the job title of DEVELOPER. In this next example, we are going to create a simple
Employee listing report using the Employees table, and instead of using a WHERE
clause, we are going to use a Filter to limit the returned results. We are also going
to bind this Filter to a Report Parameter that will have the possible job titles prepopulated
from a database query. Please note, just as with the Report Parameter and
Data set Parameter binding, there is a long way as well as an easy way to do it. I will
only cover the easy way to do it, and leave it up to the reader to figure out the more
difficult approach.
Chapter 6
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1. Create a new report called EmployeeList-CH6.rptdesign.
2. Create a new Data Source from the Classic Cars Sample Database.
3. Create a new Report Parameter, and call it rprmEmployeeJobTitle.
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