Can I create SSRS Reports in VS 2015 using SQL Server 2008 R2?

Question

I'm new to SSRS.

Recently upgraded my development environment from Visual Studio 2010 to Visual Studio 2015 Enterprise Edition. Currently my reports are made using Crystal Reports. I would like to to use SSRS and I'm trying find out my current environment will allow me to do it.

So now I'm using Visual Studio 2015 and SQL Server 2008 R2.

• Can I create SSRS Reports using these two?
• If yes, how can I create it?
• I know how to create a report and publish it using the Business Intelligence Development Studio in SQL Server 2008 R2. But could not understand how I could use those reports in my WebApplication project in Visual Studio 2015.
• Also would like to know - Is it possible to reuse my existing datasets which I'm using in my Crystal Reports?
• Should I upgrade my SQL Server version?

Solution

Yes, you can create reports for SSRS 2008 R2 with VS 2015. You will need to download, and install, the SQL Server Data Tools (SSDT) at the following link.

https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/mt204009.aspx

To build reports, create a new project using the Report Server Project template found under Templates/Business Intelligence in the New Project dialog. (After you install SSDT)

This is the replacement for BIDS, so much of what you see should look familiar. Not sure about the Crystal Reports datasets, but you should be able to reuse any SQL or stored procedures that may be a part of these.

Should you upgrade? At some point, sure, but it isn't required. SQL Server 2016 is about to be here, and you are working with a product that is over 4 years old, and more than likely going to be out of support soon, if it isn’t already.

Comments

[Rhumborl]

BI tools are still in beta for VS2015. You can download the preview amd try. The UI is very similar to the old BIDS ( in fact BIDS uses the VS shell)

[Brian]

Thanks for quick response Rhumborl.

[Matt]

see also stackoverflow.com/q/39188874/10245

[Brian]

Thanks Richards. Thanks for the latest information. It would be really helpful for me to proceed.

[HEDMON]

@Brian can you mark it as the 'right answer', please?

[Matt]

looks like there are problems deploying to the older SSRS versions stackoverflow.com/q/37816216/10245