In our organization, we utilize numerous custom SSRS reports that we typically run from the built-in interface. This interface allows users to set parameters and then click 'View Report' to generate a default HTML rendering of the report. A small toolbar also appears which enables users to export the report to PDF, Excel, and other formats.
While many organizations create their own report generation interfaces which pass parameters to SSRS and return the report in the desired format, we are currently exploring ways to enhance the functionality of the standard SSRS interface through certain modifications or 'hacks'.
The main advantage of sticking with the SSRS's built-in interface is the ability to create reports with dynamic parameter options. For example, based on the selection made for one parameter, the drop-down list for another parameter can change dynamically without the need for custom programming.
However, one limitation we have encountered is the inability to automatically export a report to PDF after the user selects the parameters and clicks 'View Report'. Some discussions suggest that it may be possible to modify the default SSRS interface by editing the 'ReportViewer.aspx' file on the server.
To explore this further, you can refer to this link for an example of enhancing the functionality of the 'View Report' button through customization.
We are looking for JavaScript experts who can help us find a way to 'hack' the SSRS's built-in 'View Report' button to automatically submit parameters and retrieve the report in PDF format. In case jQuery is useful for this purpose, we are open to including it as a reference.