ssrs report report filter with no duplicates used in query

Question

I am having an issue and I'm not sure how to solve it.

I have an SSRS report that pulls from a table. I want a parameter filter to show de-duplicated values based on available options in one of the columns.

So my dataset with a query like:

SELECT * FROM table1 WITH (NOLOCK) WHERE col1 IN (@param)

Then I want a parameter called param that gets its available and default values from col1 in the above data set and I want them to be de-duplicated.

From reading online I learned I have to create a dummy param and use VBA code to de-duplicate that list.

So I have these params:

• param_dummy that gets its available and default values from col1 in the above dataset
• param that gets a de-duplicate list from param_dummy using Code.RemoveDuplicates

But I'm having an issue with circular logic. param gets its value from param_default which gets its value from the dataset/query which uses param .

How can I solve this?

One thought is to remove the WHERE col1 IN (@param) and instead use a filter on the Tablix table in the SSRS report. This works but I am wondering how efficient it is.

And/or if anyone has any other suggestions I am all ears.

Updated to add more details...

So let us say I have a table in my DB like so:

| id | col1 | col2   |
|----|------|--------|
| 1  | a    | hello  |
| 2  | b    | how    |
| 3  | a    | are    |
| 4  | c    | you    |
| 5  | d    | on     |
| 6  | a    | this   |
| 7  | b    | lovely |
| 8  | c    | day    |

What I want is:

• a Tablix to show all the fields from the table
• a filter where the user can select between the available dropdowns in col1 (de-duplicated)
• a text filter that allows nulls where a user can filter on col2
• the parameters will have default values so the table will load on page load

So I have a dataset with a query like so:

SELECT
    *
FROM dbo.table1
WHERE col1 IN (@col1options) AND (@col2value IS NULL OR col2 = @col2value)

Then for col1options I would make available and default options be Get values from a query and I would use the above dataset and col1 .

But this won't work since the query/dataset depends on col1options which gets its default values from the query/dataset.

I can use a second dataset but that means making multiple calls to the SQL server and I want to avoid that.

Answer 1

I'm not sure I understand your issue so this is a guess...

If you mean you want to be able to filter your data by choosing one or more entries from a specific column in the table, but this column has duplicates and you want your parameter list to not show duplicates then this is what do to.

1. Create a new report
2. Add dataset dsMain as SELECT * FROM myTable WHERE myColumn IN (@myParam)
3. Add dataset dsParamValues as SELECT DISTINCT myColumn FROM myTable ORDER BY myColumn
4. Edit the @myParam parameter properties and set the available and default values to a query, then choose dsParamValues
5. Add you table/matrix control and set it's dataset property to dsMain

Answer 2

Found an easier solution.

1. Follow this link to build the "dummy" hidden parameter, the visible paramter and the de-dupe VBA code
2. Add a tablix properties filter where param is in the visible / non-hidden parameter from above VBA (FYI double click to add parameter)
3. Adding via double click will append a (0) at the end, remove the (0)

It should work as expected at that point! You should be able to select one, some or all parameters and your report should update accordingly.