How to create list as a parameter in SSRS? - sql

Question

I have a report in 2005 SSRS which I want to add a parameter to. The parameter would be comprised of a group of zip codes, but be selected as a single item in the list.
For example, I would like to have 5 zip codes as one selection in the list and 3 for another, etc:
Select 11111,22222,33333,44444,55555,66666 AS Boondock
Select 77777,88888,99999 AS Timbuck
Select Zip Codes NOT IN (11111-99999) AS Everything Else
So my selections in the dropdown would be:
Boondock
Timbuck
Everything Else
Can anyone help me with how I should go about creating this parameter?

Answer 1

Create a simple string parameter to present to the user. Let's call it ZipCodeSet.
Create a dataset that examines the #ZipCodeSet parameter and returns the appropriate list of zip codes. Call it ZipCodeSelection.
Create an internal multivaue parameter that uses ZipCodeSelection as both its Available Values and Default Values. Call it SelectedZipCodes.
Use SelectedZipCodes in your report's datasets.

Answer 2

The easiest solution here would probably to use a Calculated Field on your dataset, called LocationDescription, for example:
=SWITCH(Fields!ZipCode >= 11111 and Fields!ZipCode <= 66666, "Boondock", Fields!ZipCode >= 77777 and Fields!ZipCode <= 99999, "Timbuck",True, "Everywhere Else")
The lone true statement at the end is due to the SWITCH expression reading left-to-right and exiting once it evaluates one of the switches as TRUE. This way for each of the items in your table of ZipCodes you will always end up with a TRUE result.
I assume you're evaluating a range of ZipCodes, and not exact values of 11111,22222, and so on? If so, the switch will have more values. A sample of your data would help if you want an exact answer.
Once you have built your Calculated Field, you can then set up a Parameter (called #LocationParameter) with available values based on a query of your LocationDescription field, then just filter your dataset using:
Expression:
= Fields!LocationDescription
Operator: =
Value:
#LocationParameter
(if you want multiple selections on your parameter, change the operator to IN)
Hope that helps.