Reduced printing functionality in SSRS BIDS 2008 R2 "Preview" tab or bug?

Question

Problem: Printing from within BIDS 2008 R2 "Preview" tab hangs and must have the process ended in task manager.

Facts

• I can set the report as StartItem under Debug Configuration Properties for the project and then run, producing the Preview window. And then successfully print.

• I can deploy the report to the Reporting Services server and successfully print from the Report Manager.

• I can create a new report with NO data source, simply placing text and images on the page and successfully print from within the Preview tab.

• Problem does NOT EXIST when using BIDS 2005, able to print from Preview Tab just fine

• I can export to any format from within Preview Tab (PDF for instance,) open the file and print successfully

Troubleshooting Steps Taken (with same failed results):

• Tried other SSRS projects
• Tried other SSRS reports
• Tried a new SSRS project, bare bones data access... no images, non-standard fonts, etc.
• Duplicated problem on different system (servers, workstations, new report, etc.)
• Used Jet 4.0 OLEDB connected to Access database as datasource
• Used SQL Server 2005 as datasource
• Used SQL Server 2008 as datasource
• Set NOCOUNT ON , on the SQL Server (various forum trolling suggestion)
• Set NOCOUNT OFF , on the SQL Server
• Changed printers (models, drivers, etc.)
• Tried a local printer connected via cable

Question: Can anyone duplicate this behavior? Is this a bug in BIDS 2008 R2 or was the development environment never intended to provide this more "production-like" functionality of printing from within the Preview Tab?

Thanks, Jeff

Answer 1

I'm having the same problem. The only additional info I can provide is that this issue occurs on systems running Windows XP SP3 as well as Windows 7 64-bit. Also, if I click on the Print Layout icon when in Preview and then click on the print icon, everything works as expected.

I'm using BIDS 2008 R2 CU3.

11/2/2010: Response from Microsoft to a support ticket I put in yesterday: Looks like you have found a bug. I was able to reproduce it with no trouble and so was a coworker. I will write up a bug report and submit it. Once that is done I will be closing the case. The best workaround is the one you found of clicking the Print Layout icon. The only other one I found is to remove the data source, which is not a practical option with a report.