ReportViewer 2010 remote processing requires RS 2008 or later

I had an idea today that using the newly released ReportViewer 2010 controls might help with an unusual rendering issue we’re having with a web page when displaying very large reports.

Turns out that you can use Report Viewer 2010 with Visual Studio 2008, though I did have to copy the files out of the GAC. Make sure you update the assembly references in the project file, web.config and also any .aspx pages so that they refer to Version=10.0.0.0.

Firing up the site to view one of the reports then resulted in the following error message:

“Remote report processing requires Microsoft SQL Server 2008 Reporting Services or later”

Checking the current MSDN documentation for Configuring ReportViewer for Remote Processing does indeed state that “to use a server report, you must have access to a SQL Server 2008 or later Reporting Services report server”. Contrast that with the Visual Studio 2008 version of the same page which says SQL Server 2005 Reporting Services was the minimum.

Unfortunately in this case Reporting Services are still on 2005, but when that changes, using Report Viewer 2010 will be a viable option.

User-settable properties in Reporting Services

SQL Server Reporting Services reports have a number of properties that can be obtained via the GetProperties web method.

The full list of properties is documented in SQL Books Online in Report Server Item Properties. What it fails to mention is that some of these items are read-only. Try passing them in via CreateReport or SetProperties and you’ll just get an exception for your trouble.

By trial-and-error (mostly error!) against an instance of the SQL 2005 Reporting Service Web Service I discovered that the following properties are user-settable:

CodeCamps and other events

Looking to learn new things, network with colleagues, be inspired and maybe even have a bit of fun? Here’s a list I’ve compiled of upcoming events. I’m aiming to attend and speak at CodeCampSA. I’ll have to see whether I get to any of the others!

June 1-2nd

REMIX 10 - Australia’s version of Microsoft’s MIX conference - which has a particular focus on web design and development.

July 24-25th

Heading into its fourth year, CodeCampSA is on again this July. Whilst it’s always been a bit smaller than the Wagga event (see below), it’s always really encouraging to see a solid contingent of interstate speakers volunteer their time to come and support us locals to put on a great training weekend.

August 24-27th

Tech-Ed Australia, back again at the Gold Coast Exhibition Centre.

October 9-10th?

SQL Down Under Code Camp is traditionally held on the weekend after the October long weekend. Keep an eye on Greg Low’s blog for any announcements.

November 8-11th

I’m told any SQL enthusiast worth their salt will be aiming to attend the 2010 PASS Summit. True, it is in Seattle, but apparently that has the nice side effect of allowing a lot of the Microsoft SQL team to attend and speak too.

November 20-21st

April has traditionally been the time keen .NET developers head to Wagga Wagga for CodeCampOz, but Mitch has announced that Australia’s original Code Camp will be held this year in November.

Updated 5th May to add REMIX