How can you generate a report with multiple datasets using stored procedures?

Stored procedures are powerful tools for data analysis, especially when you need to generate a report with multiple datasets from different sources. In this article, you will learn how to use T-SQL stored procedures to query, join, aggregate, and format data from multiple tables and views, and how to return the results as a single dataset or multiple result sets.

1 What are stored procedures?

Stored procedures are precompiled and reusable SQL code blocks that can perform complex tasks, accept parameters, and return values. They are stored in the database and can be executed by calling their name. Stored procedures can improve performance, security, and maintainability of your data analysis code.

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Sagar Navroop

✅ Architect | 𝐌𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐢-𝐒𝐤𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐝 | Technologist
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To generate a report with multiple datasets using stored procedures, leverage SQL's stored procedures for seamless data integration. Begin by creating procedures that fetch and join relevant datasets. Implement version control to track changes systematically, ensuring transparency and collaboration. Automate the process by scheduling procedures. This ensures up-to-date reports. Advantages include enhanced data consistency, reduced manual effort, and improved accuracy. Drawbacks include complexity in debugging and maintenance. Here is a snippet: CREATE PROCEDURE MulitDataSetReport AS BEGIN /* Fetch and join data from multiple tables*/ SELECT A.*, B.* FROM TableA A JOIN TableB B ON A.ID = B.ID; END;

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John Michael Cancio

Global Head of Client Services
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Stored procedures can also be used to automate a lot of reporting tasks like, data gathering, consolidation, and distribution. It also adds to the security of your reporting workflows by abstracting connections and sessions to and from your databases. It is particularly effective for executing repetitive tasks that require data validation and data wrangling. Also important is integration with scripting and applications that affect the results asynchronously or synchronously alike.

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2 How to query multiple datasets with stored procedures?

To query multiple datasets with stored procedures, you need to use the SELECT statement inside the stored procedure body. You can use any valid T-SQL syntax, such as joins, subqueries, functions, and expressions, to manipulate and filter the data from different tables and views. You can also use parameters to pass values to the stored procedure and use them in the query conditions.

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Mark Davies

Data Architect
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Although this is a suitable solution for some applications this will impact on the end user experience when scaling to larger levels of dataset or more complex transformations of data from multiple sources. An alternative solution would be to run the SP in a schedule and store the output into a reporting table on a database. This can be subsequently indexed for high performance in the report/dashboard.

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3 How to return a single dataset with stored procedures?

To return a single dataset with stored procedures, you need to use the RETURN statement at the end of the stored procedure body. The RETURN statement will terminate the execution of the stored procedure and return the result of the last SELECT statement as a single dataset. You can then use the stored procedure name as a data source in your report tool or application.

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4 How to return multiple result sets with stored procedures?

To return multiple result sets with stored procedures, you need to use multiple SELECT statements in the stored procedure body, separated by semicolons. Each SELECT statement will return a separate result set, and the stored procedure will return all the result sets in the order they appear in the code. You can then use the stored procedure name as a data source in your report tool or application, and access each result set by its ordinal position or name.

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5 How to format the output of stored procedures?

To format the output of stored procedures, you can use the AS clause to assign aliases to the columns and tables in your query. You can also use the CONVERT or FORMAT functions to change the data type or format of the output values. You can also use the ORDER BY, GROUP BY, and HAVING clauses to sort, group, and filter the output rows.

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6 How to test and debug stored procedures?

To test and debug stored procedures, you can use the EXECUTE or EXEC command to run the stored procedure and check the output. You can also use the PRINT or RAISERROR statements to display messages or errors in the output. You can also use the SQL Server Management Studio or Visual Studio tools to set breakpoints, step through the code, and inspect the variables and parameters.

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7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

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Alexander Shereshevsky

Chief Algorithm Alchemist and Data Whisperer | LLM Sorcery
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While this method is viable, I recommend a version-controlled codebase for better versioning and performance. Remember, relying solely on stored procedures for complex reports can sometimes be like trying to make a smoothie with a hand whisk – possible, but there's a better tool for the job! Version control offers improved change tracking and collaboration, and a code-based approach can efficiently handle larger data volumes.

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How can you generate a report with multiple datasets using stored procedures?

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1 What are stored procedures?

2 How to query multiple datasets with stored procedures?

3 How to return a single dataset with stored procedures?

4 How to return multiple result sets with stored procedures?

5 How to format the output of stored procedures?

6 How to test and debug stored procedures?

7 Here’s what else to consider

Data Architecture

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How can you generate a report with multiple datasets using stored procedures?

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

1 What are stored procedures?

2 How to query multiple datasets with stored procedures?

3 How to return a single dataset with stored procedures?

4 How to return multiple result sets with stored procedures?

5 How to format the output of stored procedures?

6 How to test and debug stored procedures?

7 Here’s what else to consider

Data Architecture

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