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Reports FAQ

Q1: I know a report exists and can be found on a specific page, but a user can't see the report. How can I ensure this user can see and launch this report?

Security roles determine the rights individuals have to view and launch specific reports. You need to add the individual to a security role that has the report listed on the Reports Permitted tab.

Q2: I need to make sure that absolutely no one can use a report that has confidential data. How can I get a list of users that are able to see and launch a specific report?

From the Users page you can run the report titled User Permissions: Reports & Tools.

Q3: I renewed the SSL Cert on the MinistryPlatform Web server, but now when we run a report we get the "untrusted" message. How do I fix that?

When you renew your SSL, you have to bind it to SSRS using the SSRS Configuration Manager. Make sure, on the Web Service URL page, the SSL certificate (in the Report Server Web Service Site Identification section) is bound to the MinistryPlatform Web Server. This is why you might get a certificate error whenever launching reports.

Q4: I found an existing report I like, but it isn't on the page where I would like to use it. What do I do?

Some reports can be deployed to any page. If a report has the word Selected in the title, it may be hard coded to specific page(s). Contact your SPoC for clarification if you're unsure if you can deploy a report to the page you want to use it. Refer to Deploy Reports to Pages for specific information about deploying a report to another page.

Q5: I would like to have a report delivered to someone automatically by email. What do I do?

Refer to Subscribe to Reports.

Q6: I have set all the filters on a report, but no results display when I click on View Report? How do I fix that?

HTML may not work in a field unless HTML is expected in the field. HTML is expected if that field has a WYSIWYG editor that creates the HTML. If you put HTML in a field and any application or report doesn't like that, you should remove the HTML formatting.

Q7: I am having trouble printing a label report from a PDF file. What do I do?

When you are printing from a PDF, deselect the Fit to Page print option and select the Actual Size print setting from Adobe Acrobat.

Q8: If a user does not have the rights to view donation information, will this data be blocked when they run the Selected Contact Dashboard report?

The report blocks giving information if the individual running the report does not have the appropriate rights.

Q9: If I'm running a report on all records, should I choose the selected or "non-selection" version of the report if I have the option for both?

The "non-selection" version of the Report is optimized for all records rather than a selection, so it is more efficient. The "selected" version of any report is always going to be less efficient because the server has to match every record twice - once for the report criteria, and once to check if it's in the selection. So if you are running a report for all records and have a choice between reports, choose the "non-selection" version.

Q10: Which label size is the optimal one for the Selected Labels report?

The report works best for Avery 5160 (3 columns x 10 labels), which are 1" x 2-5/8".

Q11: Can we change the MinistryPlatform logo which appears on reports to our own logo?

Yes, you can change the standard MinistryPlatform report logo to your church logo. However, this doesn't update all standard reports, so any new enhancements and updates wouldn't override the reports with your logo. This would be a Professional Service Request to have the logo changed. Please your SPoC for more information.

Q12: When User A tries to download a report, they are prompted to save it before it'll download. But when User B tries to download a report, they aren't prompted to save it first - it just downloads right away. What's going on here?

This is a function of the browser, and different browsers handle the download process differently. Even if both individuals are using the same browser, the download process may be different based on the internal settings an individual has set on their browser.

Q13: How can I print a report generated in MinistryPlatform?

Printing capabilities vary based on the browser you're using. To print in any browser, click the Save button, download it in one of the formats listed (for example, PDF, Word), and then print from there.

Q14: I added a note to a donation record. However, when I run the Selected Program Donations report, I do not see the note in the Notes column. Why is this?

On the Selected Program Donations report, the Notes column is not related to the Notes field on the Donor, Donation, or Distribution records. The Notes column is to indicate special circumstances for each donation (like not tax deductible, applied to a pledge, and so on). Reports that pull the Donation Notes field are: Selected Batch Notes and Selected Batch Simple Item List. You can create custom views to show and/or filter on the Notes field on the Donor, Donation, or Distribution records.

Q15: Can I change the margins on a report?

Report margins can't be changed as part of running the report (report parameters). However, depending on your printer, you can make small adjustments to scale, fit, and/or margins in your printer's print dialog box.

Q16: Why don't some reports work well in Chrome, but work fine in other web browsers?

Chrome doesn't handle some reports due to the need for .NET coding on the server and workstation. We recommend you use Edge, Firefox, or Safari to run the reports that give you trouble in Chrome.

Q17: Can I change the default settings of report parameters?

You can give any report with a parameter a default for that parameter. A server administrator can log in to the SSRS Administrator panel and change the defaults for any report and save them, and it will be global for that report no matter who runs it. Alternatively, our Professional Services team can change report parameter defaults for you. These default values are persisted on the server and independent of the Report definition (RDL), so future deployments of the Report don't overwrite them.

Q18: My report contains images. When I saved to PDF the images are blurry. How can I address this?

Images in general, including reports, do best and are clearest when the image type is a BMP. If possible, reattach your image(s) to the record(s) as a BMP file. (Also note that reports don't support TIFF images.)

Q19: We have two groups using the same form. A member of both groups filled out the form, once as a member of Group 1 and the second time as a member of Group 2. When I ran the Form Responses Report, the group shown for both responses in Group 1.

When the same person submits two responses to the same Form, the report uses the Group from the earlier or first Form Response.

Q20: Can I control which Reports a User has access to?

Yes. See security roles for Tools and Reports.

Q21: I want a custom Report. How do I get that?
Q22: What reports honor the Alternate Mailing Address if set in the Household record?

The following reports accommodate the seasonal Alternate Mailing Address if set in the Household record:

  • Donor Statement (all standard)
  • Envelope File Selected Labels
  • Selected Labels 1 per family
  • Selected Directory
  • Selected Mail Merge
  • Selected Mail Merge 1 per family
  • Selected Photo Report
  • Selected Contact Letter
  • Selected Mail Merge: Family Detail
  • Selected Contact Badge
  • Selected Call List
  • Selected Contact Demographics
  • Selected Nametags: Avery 5395