When exporting a report from SSRS (SQL Server Reporting Services) to PDF format, it is common to encounter blank pages in the output. This can be frustrating and time-consuming, especially if you have a large report with multiple pages. In this article, we will discuss how to remove these blank pages from your PDF export and ensure that your report is clean and concise.
First, we need to understand why these blank pages are appearing in the first place. There are several reasons for this occurrence, such as:
1. Page breaks: SSRS uses page breaks to determine where to start a new page in the report. If there are too many page breaks, it can result in blank pages in the output.
2. Empty data: If your report has empty data for a particular page, SSRS will still generate a page for it, resulting in a blank page in the PDF export.
3. Report design: The design of your report can also cause blank pages in the output. For example, if you have a table with a fixed number of rows, but the data for that table is less, it will result in blank pages in the output.
Now that we know the reasons behind blank pages in the PDF export, let's discuss how to remove them. There are a few simple steps you can follow to ensure that your PDF export does not have any blank pages.
1. Check your page breaks: The first step is to check the page breaks in your report. You can do this by going to the Report menu and selecting "Page Setup." Here, you will see a list of all the page breaks in your report. Make sure that you do not have too many unnecessary page breaks, as this can result in blank pages in the output.
2. Remove empty data: If your report has empty data, you can remove it by using the "Filter" option in your dataset. This will ensure that no blank pages are generated in the output.
3. Adjust report design: If your report design is causing blank pages, you can make some adjustments to fix it. For example, if you have a table with a fixed number of rows, you can set the "Keep together" property to "False." This will ensure that the table does not have blank pages in the output.
4. Preview before exporting: Before exporting your report to PDF, it is always a good idea to preview it first. This will give you an idea of how your report will look in the PDF export and allow you to make any necessary adjustments to avoid blank pages.
5. Use the "Remove blank pages" option: Finally, SSRS has a built-in option to remove blank pages from the PDF export. To use this option, go to the Report menu and select "Report Properties." In the "InteractiveSize" tab, check the box next to "Remove blank pages." This will ensure that any blank pages in your report are removed before exporting to PDF.
In conclusion, blank pages in a PDF export from SSRS can be a nuisance, but they can be easily avoided. By following the steps mentioned above, you can ensure that your report is clean and does not have any unnecessary blank pages. Remember to always preview your report and make necessary adjustments before exporting, and use the built-in option to remove blank pages for a smooth and error-free PDF export.
