How can I execute an .rdl report with a Report Viewer control without an SSRS server?

Question

I'm trying to set up a web page where users can select an .rdl file to run, and it will open a Report Viewer control (ASPX), load the report definition file, run it, and display the report. So far, what I've found is, "local" reports can only accept data sources from code (so you have to execute the database code manually, which would be a pain since the datasource can vary widely between reports), and "remote" reports require an SSRS server, something I am unable to set up. What puzzles me is, Report Builder 3 is able to run .rdl files with embedded Data Sources in them, so why can't the Report Viewer control? Is there some way I can make the Report Viewer control act like Report Builder 3 and just have it run .rdl files?

Answer 1

Unfortunately, it's not possible to run an .rdl report with a Report Viewer control without an SSRS server. The Report Viewer control relies on the SSRS server to process the report and retrieve the data.

Local reports do not require an SSRS server, but as you mentioned, they require manual data binding. Remote reports require an SSRS server to process the report and retrieve the data.

Report Builder 3 is able to run .rdl files with embedded data sources because it uses the SQL Server Data Tools (SSDT) to design and preview reports. The SSDT includes a report viewer that can preview reports without an SSRS server. However, this preview feature is not available in the Report Viewer control for ASP.NET.

If setting up an SSRS server is not an option, you could consider using a third-party reporting tool that does not require an SSRS server, such as Telerik Reporting or DevExpress Reporting. These tools allow you to design reports and preview them without an SSRS server, and you can embed them in your ASP.NET application. However, you will still need to manually bind the data sources to the reports.