>Hi Kevin, I installed Report Builder which somehow magically created a couple of Report databases in my 2014 SS instance and I can at least start playing with it but I still don't have an option to create a report from SSMS but maybe that isn't the way its done these days - why is everything so f*****g difficult ? I wouldn't have thought it too difficult to integrate al this "stuff" into one install package - thanks for your help

I'm not aware of any way to create reports from SSMS. To best of my awareness, you either use BIDS/SSDT, or Report Builder.

SSMS is for maintaining databases, creating procs, testing queries, etc. But none of the content in the SQL Business Intelligence area (SSIS packages, SSAS cubes, nor SSRS reports) comes from SSMS. That's what BIDS/SSDT and even report builder are for.

I agree, it's difficult at first. When I started using SSRS I pulled my hair out, because I was so accustomed to the Fox report writer and Crystal Reports. It'll take some aggravation and many four-letter words (I certainly shouted my share of them when I was learning) , but it's worth it. SSRS has come a long way in 10 years.