#### How to create a data set

This procedure uses a JDBC data source as an example.

1. Choose Data Explorer.
2. Create a data source, or choose an existing data source.
3. Right-click Data Sets, and choose New Data Set from the context menu.
4. On New Data Set, specify the properties of the data set:

- In Data Set Name, specify a name for the data set. The data-set name must be unique in the report design.
- In Data Source, use the drop-down list to choose a data source to use for this data set.
- In Data Set Type, select a data-set type. Figure 3-1 shows an example of the definition of a SQL Select Query data set.

Figure 3-1 Defining a data set

5. Choose Next.
6. On Query, specify the data to retrieve from the data source. Details about this task appear later in this chapter. Depending on the type of data set you create, BIRT Report Designer displays different options. Figure 3-2 shows the options you see when you select the SQL Select Query data-set type.

Figure 3-2 Query options for a SQL Select Query data set
7. When you finish defining the query, choose Finish to save the data set. Edit Data Set, shown in Figure 3-3 displays the columns you specified in the query, and provides options for editing the data set.

Figure 3-3 Data set editor