Manual Migration

This page walks through migrating reports one at a time, including their data sources and datasets. Use this approach for a small number of reports, proof-of-concept validation, or when you want to verify each report individually.

Understanding Data Sources and Datasets

Every SSRS report depends on two components:

  • Data Source: a connection to a database, defined by a connection string.

  • Dataset: a query or table definition that returns report data, built on top of a data source.

Both can exist in two forms:

  • Embedded: the connection string (data source) and query (dataset) are stored directly inside the report file (RDL) itself. Because everything travels with the report, migration needs no extra steps beyond uploading the report.

  • Shared: defined once and referenced by ID across multiple reports. Both the shared data source and shared dataset must be recreated in Bold Reports® before the reports that depend on them.

Tip: Keeping the same names for datasets and data sources in Bold Reports® as were used in SSRS is recommended, since it makes reports bind automatically during migration. It isn't strictly required: if a name doesn't match, you can still manually select the correct data source and dataset for a report in the Upload Reports dialog, but matching names saves you that extra step, especially at volume.

Migrating Reports with Embedded Data Sources and Datasets

Embedded reports are the simplest case: since the connection string and query are both stored inside the report file itself, simply upload the report file directly. No separate data source or dataset setup is required, and the report should render immediately after upload.

Upload reports or add report in the Bold Reports On-Premise

Migrating Reports with Shared Data Sources and Datasets

Shared data sources and datasets must be recreated in Bold Reports® before the reports that reference them. Follow these four steps in order:

Step 1: Gather what you need

  1. Shared data sources cannot be downloaded, so collect their connection details from your database/SSRS administrator first: server name, database name, authentication type, username, and password.

  2. Download the shared dataset(s) from SSRS; these save locally as a file you can upload directly into Bold Reports®.

Important: Migrate the data source before the dataset. A shared dataset is bound to a data source, so the data source must already exist in Bold Reports® before you create the matching dataset.

Step 2: Create the shared data source in Bold Reports®

  1. In Bold Reports®, create a new data source and choose your database type.

  2. Add its connection credentials (the exact fields shown depend on the database type you chose), then click Save.

How to Create a Shared Data Source in Bold Reports Enterprise

Step 3: Create the shared dataset in Bold Reports®

  1. Download the corresponding shared dataset from SSRS, then in Bold Reports® click Existing Data Source and select the data source you just created.

  2. Enter the dataset name (matching the original SSRS dataset name is recommended) and complete the binding.

  3. Save and exit. The dataset and data source pair is now available in Bold Reports®.

How to Create a Shared Dataset in Bold Reports Enterprise

Step 4: Migrate the original SSRS report

  1. Click Upload Report and browse to the report file (.rdl) you exported from SSRS.

  2. Attach the already-migrated data source and dataset to the uploaded report. If the names match what was used in SSRS this happens automatically; otherwise, select them manually in the Upload Reports dialog.

10.Save the report and open it to confirm it renders and displays data successfully.

Upload reports or add report in the Bold Reports On-Premise

Order Matters

Always migrate in this order to avoid upload failures:

Shared Data Sources → Shared Datasets → Reports

Next: Once you've migrated and validated a sample of reports manually, continue to Post-Migration Validation, or if you have a larger batch remaining, see Automated & Bulk Migration.