Writing SSRS Reports for Dynamics 365

This 2-day course provides a hands-on deep dive into creating reports for Dynamics 365 Customer Engagement (D365CE) using SQL Server Reporting Services (SSRS) and FetchXML queries. A regular SSRS reporting class covers information that is not needed nor relevant for D365CE and does not include important steps required to write reports for your environment. D365CE reports are created using FetchXML, a proprietary query language.

Attending this report writing course focused on D365CE gives you the skills needed to write and publish reports to provide meaningful insights into your data. You will work within a trial Dynamics 365 Customer Engagement environment that will be used as the database.

NOTE: This course is intended for users of Dynamics 365 Online. If you have Dynamics 365 On-Premises, you can use SQL for querying data instead of FetchXML.

Prework

You must provision a Dynamics 365 trial and install the sample data from Settings>Data Management>Sample Data before attending the course to maximise learning time. Instructions will be provided, and we will assist you if any issues arise.

Bring a few ideas for reports that you would like to create. Time will be allocated on day 2, with assistance provided, to help you take home your first ‘real’ report.

Day 1

• Using XrmToolBox
• Creating Queries with FetchXML Builder
• Getting Setup with Visual Studio
• Creating Your Dataset
• Adding Your Data Source
• Creating A Basic Report
• Adding Report Groups
• Using Expressions
• Formatting Your Report
• Page Headers, Footers & Numbers

Day 2

• Recap of Day 1
• Creating Parameters Using FetchXML
• Creating Reports Using Multiple Entities
• Using Aggregates in Your Report
• Adding Charts
• Using a Matrix
• Indicators & Gauges
• Adding Additional Parameters
• Using Pre-Filtering Parameters Within Dynamics
• Deploying & Updating Reports
• Creating Your Own Reports

Trainer

This course is delivered by Microsoft Business Applications MVP – Megan V. Walker. Megan’s love of writing reports began using Crystal Reports over 10 years ago and she has written hundreds of reports for organisations since. She helps people online with articles on her website covering the use of FetchXML and Visual Studio to create SSRS Reports, specifically for Dynamics 365.

Is this course for me?

Unlike a regular SSRS Report Writing course, during this two-day course you will not write any SQL statements. You will learn how to write expressions and group data. Although not required, experience with other report writing tools or advanced use of Microsoft Excel will be helpful. You will leave the course better equipped to write  reports for D365CE without the need for an IT person or third-party supplier. If you are unsure if this course is right for you, please contact us with any questions you have.