Report Builder SQL Queries - Convert CN to clear text

Question

I am trying to customize a query in Report Builder to message values as they are delivered, and running into value expression errors.
My query returns data from the AD Computer Object "managedBy" field. The problem is that this field returns data in the format of:
CN=Security Group Name,OU=blah,OU=blah,DC=stuff,DC=com etc
I am trying to get it to return just the "Security Group" value which is much more useful. I found this great article which almost works for me: https://social.technet.microsoft.com/forums/systemcenter/en-US/6610d238-72f2-4e75-a0cc-e1383dd8e94b/ad-system-discovery-convert-cn-to-clear-text
However, once I try to save the report in Report Builder I get:
System.Web.Services.Protocols.SoapException: The Value expression for the text box ‘managedBy0’ refers to the field ‘managedBy0’.  Report item expressions can only refer to fields within the current dataset scope or, if inside an aggregate, the specified
dataset scope. Letters in the names of fields must use the correct case.
This is the original SQL query:
select  all SMS_R_System.Name0,SMS_R_System.managedBy0,SMS_R_System.description0,SMS_G_System_OPERATING_SYSTEM.Caption00,SMS_R_System.Resource_Domain_OR_Workgr0,SMS_R_System.whenCreated0,SMS_R_System.Last_Logon_Timestamp0 from vSMS_R_System AS SMS_R_System
INNER JOIN Operating_System_DATA AS SMS_G_System_OPERATING_SYSTEM ON SMS_G_System_OPERATING_SYSTEM.MachineID = SMS_R_System.ItemKey  INNER JOIN _RES_COLL_CAS000A9 AS SMS_CM_RES_COLL_CAS000A9 ON SMS_CM_RES_COLL_CAS000A9.MachineID = SMS_R_System.ItemKey
My edited query:
select  all SMS_R_System.Name0,REPLACE(SUBSTRING(SMS_R_System.managedBy0,4,CHARINDEX(',OU',SMS_R_System.managedBy0,3)-4),'\,',','),SMS_R_System.description0,SMS_G_System_OPERATING_SYSTEM.Caption00,SMS_R_System.Resource_Domain_OR_Workgr0,SMS_R_System.whenCreated0,SMS_R_System.Last_Logon_Timestamp0
from vSMS_R_System AS SMS_R_System INNER JOIN Operating_System_DATA AS SMS_G_System_OPERATING_SYSTEM ON SMS_G_System_OPERATING_SYSTEM.MachineID = SMS_R_System.ItemKey  INNER JOIN _RES_COLL_CAS000A9 AS SMS_CM_RES_COLL_CAS000A9 ON SMS_CM_RES_COLL_CAS000A9.MachineID
= SMS_R_System.ItemKey
Thoughts?

Answer 1

Hey,
Since you manipulate the original value of
ManagedBy0 in your SELECT, the column name will change to
(No column name). I did a test on my side and look what I get.
Error : "The Value expression for the text box ‘managedBy0’ refers to the field ‘managedBy0’."
He search for a variable
ManagedBy0 in your query but don't find any because there's no name assigned.
Try to run this query. Add
AS ManagedBy0 after your REPLACE. 
select all
SMS_R_System.Name0,
REPLACE(SUBSTRING(SMS_R_System.managedBy0,4,CHARINDEX(',OU',SMS_R_System.managedBy0,3)-4),'\,',',') AS ManagedBy0,
SMS_R_System.description0,
SMS_G_System_OPERATING_SYSTEM.Caption00,
SMS_R_System.Resource_Domain_OR_Workgr0,
SMS_R_System.whenCreated0,
SMS_R_System.Last_Logon_Timestamp0 from vSMS_R_System AS SMS_R_System INNER JOIN Operating_System_DATA AS SMS_G_System_OPERATING_SYSTEM ON SMS_G_System_OPERATING_SYSTEM.MachineID = SMS_R_System.ItemKey INNER JOIN _RES_COLL_CAS000A9 AS SMS_CM_RES_COLL_CAS000A9 ON SMS_CM_RES_COLL_CAS000A9.MachineID = SMS_R_System.ItemKey
Let me know.
Nick Pilon | Blog : System Center Dudes