How to Stop SSRS Report Headers From Repeating in Word Exports?
SSRS (SQL Server Reporting Services) is a powerful tool for creating reports, but sometimes its default behavior can be a bit frustrating. One common issue is that when you export an SSRS report to Word, the report header repeats on every page. This can make your reports look cluttered and unprofessional.
Why does this happen?
By default, SSRS assumes you want to include the report header on every page. This is helpful if you're dealing with a long report where the reader might lose track of the report's title or other important information. However, for many reports, repeating the header is unnecessary and undesirable.
How to Stop the Header Repetition
Here's a simple step-by-step guide to prevent SSRS headers from repeating when exporting to Word:
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Open your SSRS report in the Report Builder. This is the interface you use to design your reports.
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Navigate to the Report Properties. You can find this option under the "Report" menu in the Report Builder toolbar.
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Locate the "Page Headers" section. In this section, you'll find an option labeled "Repeat headers on each page." By default, this option is checked.
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Uncheck the "Repeat headers on each page" option. This will tell SSRS to only display the report header once at the beginning of the exported Word document.
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Save your report. After making this change, save your SSRS report.
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Export to Word and check the results. Export your report to Word and verify that the header is only displayed on the first page. You should now have a clean, professional-looking Word document.
Additional Tips for Managing Header Repetition
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Use Page Breaks: If you want to control where the header appears in your report, consider using page breaks. This allows you to create new pages within your report and control whether the header is included on each new page.
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Customizing Header Content: If you need to display specific information in the header on different pages of your report, you can use custom code or expressions within the header. This allows you to dynamically change the content based on the data in your report.
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Leveraging Group Headers: SSRS allows you to group data within your report. You can use group headers to display specific information related to each group, potentially reducing the need for a repeating report header.
Conclusion
Preventing header repetition in SSRS Word exports is straightforward and improves the visual appeal of your reports. By unchecking the "Repeat headers on each page" option in the Report Properties, you can ensure a clean and professional output for your Word documents. Remember to experiment with other header management techniques to tailor your reports to your specific needs.