In Microsoft SQL Server Code-Named “Denali” CTP1, Integration Services (SSIS) introduces several usability enhancements to help new and experienced users develop packages more easily. This topic provides a high-level overview of the new features in Business Intelligence Development Studio (BIDS).

SSIS Toolbox

Integration Services now features a new toolbox, SSIS Toolbox, for developing packages. This toolbox offers the following new features that were not available in previous versions:

• New Categories: The Favorites and Common categories provide convenient access to toolbox items so that they are only a click away
• Organization: Organize toolbox items according to your preferences
• Descriptions: An information area provides a brief description for each item that is currently selected

For more information, see Integration Services SSIS Toolbox.

Flexible Authoring in the Data Flow Designer

The Data Flow designer has been updated to accommodate a more flexible authoring experience. For example, it is now possible to edit a component even when its input path is disconnected, and the process of reconnecting a component to a different incoming path and remapping the columns has been simplified.

For more information, see Flexible Authoring with the Integration Services (SSIS) Data Flow Designer.

Source and Destination Assistants

The Source Assistant and Destination Assistant help simplify the process of creating new sources and destinations in the Data Flow designer.  Begin using them by dragging them from SSIS Toolbox to the Data Flow design surface.

For more information, see Integration Services (SSIS) Source and Destination Assistants.

Note: The Source Assistant and Destination Assistant replace the Integration Services Connections project and the corresponding wizard, which are not included in SQL Server Code-Named "Denali" CTP1.

Undo and Redo

Undo and redo functionailty is now available for the Control Flow and Data Flow designers. It is also available in the variable tool window. If you want to undo an action on the designer surface, simply click the Undo button. The Undo and Redo buttons are shown in the following image:

Note: You can also use CTRL+Z and CRTL+Y to undo and redo, respectively.

Collapsible Grouping in the Data Flow Designer

In SQL Server Code-Named "Denali" CTP1, the Data Flow designer supports grouping. The collapsible grouping feature helps conserve space on the work surface and makes it easier to work with large packages. You select the tasks and components that you want to group, group them, and then expand or collapse the groups to suit your work. Expanding a group provides access to the properties of the task and containers in the group. The paths that connect tasks and containers are automatically included in the group.

Note: Groups are designer objects only. They do not affect the runtime behavior of the package.

For example, the following image shows two data flow elements, ADO.NET Source and Copy Column, in a group named Group:

After clicking the collapse button, located to the right of the word "Group," all elements within the group are hidden from view, as shown in the following image:

Simplified Data Viewer Configuration

 

1. From the Data Flow designer, right-click the corresponding data path and click Edit
2. Click Data Viewer in the left-most box
3. Check Enable data viewer
4. In the Columns to display area, select the columns that you want to display under Unused columns
5. Click > to move the specified columns to the Displayed columns list
6. Click OK

Note: You can also use the F9 key to quickly enable or disable data viewer on a selected path.

Integration Services (SSIS) Usability Enhancements
    Integration Services (SSIS) Source and Destination Assistants​
    Flexible Authoring with the Integration Services (SSIS) Data Flow Designer
​    Integration Services SSIS Toolbox