Insert a separator into a dropdown list in SSRS

Question

I have a report that pulls information on tools. I have a multi-value parameter setup in SSRS that pulls a tool name and GUID and then passes the GUIDs to a stored proc for results.

The tools have in addition to name and GUID a value of active. I want to display a list of tools with active items first, then inactive. Easy enough that's just an order, however I'd like to put a visual separator between active and inactive tools. I can achieve this by creating an order value based on active status, and then using union to attach a dummy line between them.

However this means its possible to select the separator line. I can handle that line in my stored procedure so it doesn't cause a problem, but I'd like to make that line unselectable or to have a separator similar to what you see in a dropdown menu.

Does anyone know of any functionality that will achieve this?

I main project is currently help in 2008R2, but I may be able to upgrade if there is a good solution to this.

Many thanks in advance.

Answer 1

OK - have found there seems to be no way of showing a separator as such short of coding in a separator line in the data set. Final solution was close to my original plan. I now download two datasets, one of all tools (Active, separator, inactive) and attach this to my available values, and one of active only, which I then attach to my default values.

This means that both are available, but default is active only. Not a solution to the exact question, but best that I could come up with and is close enough to fit for purpose.

If anyone does come across better solutions, I'd love to here them.