Using the Switch Function in SSRS for 'Yes', 'No', and 'Other' Calculated Fields

SSRS Program Flow for ‘Yes’, ‘No’, and ‘Other’

SSRS (SQL Server Reporting Services) is a powerful tool used for creating business intelligence reports. One of the key features of SSRS is its ability to create custom fields that can be used in reports. In this article, we’ll explore how to use the Switch function in SSRS to create a calculated field with multiple conditions.

Introduction

When working with dates in SSRS, it’s common to need to determine if certain target dates have been met. This can be done using various methods, including comparing dates and checking for null values. In this article, we’ll explore how to use the Switch function to create a calculated field that returns ‘Yes’, ‘No’, or ‘Other’ based on specific conditions.

Understanding the Switch Function

The Switch function is used in SSRS to evaluate a list of expressions and return an object value corresponding to the first expression in the list that is true. The general syntax for the Switch function is:

=Switch (expression1, value1, [expression2, value2], ...)
    [valueN]
[else clause]

In the context of our example, we’ll use the Switch function to evaluate a list of expressions and return a string value based on specific conditions.

Example 1: Simple Switch Expression

Let’s start with a simple example that demonstrates how to use the Switch function. Suppose we have two fields: CompleteDate and TargetDate. We want to create a calculated field that returns ‘Yes’ if CompleteDate is less than or equal to TargetDate, and ‘No’ otherwise.

=Switch (NOT isNothing(Fields!CompleteDate.Value) AND Fields!CompleteDate.Value <= Fields!TargetDate.Value, "Yes",
       NOT isNothing(Fields!CompleteDate.Value) AND Fields!CompleteDate.Value >  Fields!TargetDate.Value, "No")

In this example, we’re using the Switch function to evaluate two expressions:

The first expression checks if CompleteDate is not null and less than or equal to TargetDate. If this condition is true, it returns ‘Yes’.
The second expression checks if CompleteDate is not null but greater than TargetDate. If this condition is true, it returns ‘No’.

Example 2: Handling Null Values

In the previous example, we didn’t explicitly check for null values. However, in our data, there may be cases where CompleteDate is null and TargetDate is not. To handle these cases, we can add a condition to our Switch expression:

=Switch (NOT isNothing(Fields!CompleteDate.Value) AND Fields!CompleteDate.Value <= Fields!TargetDate.Value, "Yes",
       NOT isNothing(Fields!CompleteDate.Value) AND Fields!CompleteDate.Value >  Fields!TargetDate.Value, "No")
       , isNothing(Fields!StartDate.Value), "Not Started"

In this updated example, we’ve added a new condition that checks if CompleteDate is null. If this condition is true, it returns ‘Not Started’.

Example 3: Using the Switch Function with Date Fields

Let’s take our previous examples to the next level by using the Switch function with date fields. Suppose we have two date fields: StartDate and TargetDate. We want to create a calculated field that returns ‘Yes’ if CompleteDate is less than or equal to TargetDate, but only for dates within a specific range.

=Switch (NOT isNothing(Fields!CompleteDate.Value) AND Fields!CompleteDate.Value <= Fields!TargetDate.Value,
       Format(Fields!CompleteDate.Value, "dd-MM-yyyy") >= Format(Fields!StartDate.Value, "dd-MM-yyyy"), "Yes"
       , NOT isNothing(Fields!CompleteDate.Value) AND Fields!CompleteDate.Value >  Fields!TargetDate.Value, "No")

In this example, we’re using the Switch function to evaluate two expressions:

The first expression checks if CompleteDate is not null and less than or equal to TargetDate. If this condition is true, it returns ‘Yes’ only for dates within a specific range (i.e., StartDate is less than or equal to the current date).
The second expression checks if CompleteDate is not null but greater than TargetDate. If this condition is true, it returns ‘No’.

Conclusion

In conclusion, we’ve explored how to use the Switch function in SSRS to create a calculated field with multiple conditions. We’ve covered various examples, including handling null values and using the Switch function with date fields. With these techniques, you can create powerful reports that return meaningful results based on specific conditions.

By using the Switch function, you can simplify your report logic and make it easier to maintain complex calculations. Whether you’re working with dates or other data types, the Switch function is an essential tool in your reporting arsenal.

Last modified on 2025-02-14