To get a parameter value at run time, you can store a default value with the report or prompt the user to type or select a value. Storing a parameter value with a report is useful if you want the report to always process with a specific value. For example, if a regional office has a dedicated Web site, you can host a regional sales report on the Web site that always uses a specific region code.
You can also prompt users to type or select the value to use when they open the report. When you configure a report to prompt for parameter values, input fields are provided so that the user can type specific values. After typing the values, a user clicks View Report to run the report. If the values are valid, the report appears. If the values are not valid, you will either get an error message or an empty report. If you use stored parameter values, the report opens without displaying input fields or the View Report button. All users who run the report use the same parameter value.
If the report includes query-based parameters, and the data source requires each user to log on, the user will be prompted for credentials before the parameter input fields are displayed on the page. In this case, the credentials must be provided in order to retrieve parameter values.
To run a parameterized report, you typically must know which values to type. A report might include drop-down lists of valid values from which to choose.
To set parameter properties (including default values) on a published report, use Report Manager. For more information, see Creating Report Parameters and Setting Report Parameter Properties and Setting Parameters in a Subscription.