Report Builder 2.0 - Create a Datasource

Create a datasource using a DSN in Report Builder 2.0

After creating the ODBC DSN it will be possible to access the data using Report Builder. The following steps show how you may carry out this task.

1. Open Report Builder 2.0 just as you have done in other exercises.

2. Click on the Office button and choose New in the drop-down.

The design surface displaying the body of the report with the two wizards will be displayed.

3. Click on the Table or Matrix wizard to open the New Table or Matrix window.

4. Click on the New...; button to open the Data Source Properties window.

5. Provide a name for the datasource and replace the default DataSource1 (Herein GaugesSource).

6. Click on the handle for Select connection type and choose ODBC as shown:

7. After choosing ODBC in the drop-down click on the Build...; button. The Connection Properties window is displayed as shown:

8. Click on the Build...; button in the Connection Properties window.

9. The Select Data Source window with the File Data Source tabbed page will be displayed.

10. Change over to the Machine Data Source window. Scroll up/down if necessary, highlight Gauges and click on the OK button.

The Select Work Book window will come up.

11. Locate the RptChart.xls by browsing the folders and click on the OK button.

12. The DSN connection string will be entered into the Connection Properties window.

13. Click on the Test Connection window to verify that the connection is good.

14. Click on the OK button on the Connection Properties window.

15. The Connection string field in the Data Source Properties page will be updated with the connection information.

The Connection string is as follows:

Dsn=Gauges;
dbq=C:DOCUMENTS AND SETTINGSJohn DoeMY DOCUMENTSRptChart.
xls; defaultdir=C:DOCUMENTS AND SETTINGSJohn DoeMY DOCUMENTS; driverid=790;fil=excel 8.0;
maxbuffersize=2048; pagetimeout=5

16. Click on the OK button in the Data Source Properties window.

The GaugesSource datasource is added to Data Source Connections list in the New Table or Matrix window and appears at the top of the list.