JSON File Connector for SSRS

JSON File Connector can be used to extract and output JSON data stored in local files or direct JSON String (variables or DB columns). JSON Connector also supports JSONPath to filter data from nested array/sub-documents. This Connector is optimized to work with very large files.

In this article you will learn how to quickly and efficiently integrate JSON File data in SSRS without coding. We will use high-performance JSON File Connector to easily connect to JSON File and then access the data inside SSRS.

Let's follow the steps below to see how we can accomplish that!

Download Documentation

Video Tutorial - Integrate JSON File data in SSRS

This video covers the following topics and more, so please watch carefully. After watching the video, follow the steps outlined in this article:

  • How to download and install the required PowerPack for JSON File integration in SSRS
  • How to configure the connection for JSON File
  • Features of the ZappySys JSON Driver (Authentication / Query Language / Examples / Driver UI)
  • How to use the JSON File in SSRS

Create Data Source in ZappySys Data Gateway based on JSON Driver

  1. Download and install ODBC PowerPack.

  2. Search for gateway in start menu and Open ZappySys Data Gateway:
    Open ZappySys Data Gateway

  3. Go to Users Tab to add our first Gateway user. Click Add; we will give it a name tdsuser and enter password you like to give. Check Admin option and click OK to save. We will use these details later when we create linked server:
    ZappySys Data Gateway - Add User

  4. Now we are ready to add a data source. Click Add, give data source a name (Copy this name somewhere, we will need it later) and then select Native - ZappySys JSON Driver. Finally, click OK. And it will create the Data Set for it and open the ZS driver UI.

    ZappySys Data Gateway - Add JSON Data Source

  5. You can use pass single file or multiple file path using wildcard pattern in path and you can use select single file by clicking [...] path button or multiple file using wildcard pattern in path.

    Note: If you want to operation with multiple files then use wild card pattern as below 
    (when you use wild card pattern in source path then system will treat target path as folder regardless you end with slash)
    
    C:\SSIS\Test\reponse.json (will read only single reponse.json file)
    C:\SSIS\Test\j*.json (all files starting with file name)
    C:\SSIS\Test\*.json (all files with .json Extension and located under folder subfolder)
    

  6. Now enter JSONPath expression in Array Filter textbox to extract only specific part of JSON file as below ($.value[*] will get content of value attribute from JSON document. Value attribute is array of JSON documents so we have to use [*] to indicate we want all records of that array)

    NOTE: Here, We are using our desired filter, but you need to select your desired filter based on your requirement.


    Click on Test Connection button to view whether the Test Connection is SUCCESSFUL or Not.

    $.value[*]
    ZappySys ODBC Driver - Configure JSON Driver
  7. Once you configured a data source, you can preview data. Hit Preview tab, and use similar settings to preview data:
    ZappySys ODBC Driver - Preview JSON Driver

  8. Click OK to finish creating the data source

  9. That's it; we are done. In a few clicks we configured the call to JSON File using ZappySys JSON File Connector

  10. Most Important Step: Now, After creating or modifying a data source in ZappySys Data Gateway, make sure to click the SAVE button to preserve your changes.
    Then, RESTART the Data Gateway service to ensure all changes are properly applied.

    Skipping either step may result in the new settings not taking effect.

    ZappySys Data Gateway - Save Changes

Read data in SSRS from ZappySys Data Gateway

  1. Open Visual Studio and create a new SSRS project
  2. Then add a new Shared Data Source (you can create a non-shared data source inside report too):

    Adding a Data Source in SSRS project
  3. Continue with creating the Shared Data Source. Select Microsoft SQL Server as Type and hit Build button to proceed further:

    Configuring a Data Source to access API data in SSRS project
  4. Once a window opens, configure it similarly. Configure "JsonFileDSN" as database name. Finally, hit Test Connection and OK:

    JsonFileDSN
    Configuring thoroughly a Data Source to access API data in SSRS project
  5. Another window opens, and it should look similarly to this one below which ends the creation of a Data Source:

    DataSource=localhost,5000;Initial Catalog=JsonFileDSN
    How Data Source in SSRS project looks like
  6. Now it's time to create a Dataset. If you don't have a report created, in one of the wizard's steps it will look like this:

    SELECT * FROM Tickets
    Specifying a query in SSRS Dataset to access API data #1
  7. Finally, once you complete the report, similar results will show up:

    ZappySys Data Gateway API data source results

Passing Parameters to SSRS Report / Filter data

If you want to parameterize your report, then refer to this article

Conclusion

In this article we showed you how to connect to JSON File in SSRS and integrate data without any coding, saving you time and effort.

We encourage you to download JSON File Connector for SSRS and see how easy it is to use it for yourself or your team.

If you have any questions, feel free to contact ZappySys support team. You can also open a live chat immediately by clicking on the chat icon below.

Download JSON File Connector for SSRS Documentation

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