---
title: "How to pass multi-value parameters to a SQL query in SSRS?"  
description: "How to pass multi-value parameters to a SQL query in SSRS?"  
author: "Manish Sharma"  
published: 2026-09-01  
updated: 2026-09-04  
canonical: https://answers.mindstick.com/qa/117135/how-to-pass-multi-value-parameters-to-a-sql-query-in-ssrs  
category: "SSRS"  
tags: ["ssrs", "tsql", "sql-server", "report-parameters"]  
reading_time: 3 minutes  

---

# How to pass multi-value parameters to a SQL query in SSRS?

In SSRS, allowing users to select multiple options from a parameter drop-down list is a common requirement. How can you properly pass a multi-value parameter into a T-SQL dataset query?

### Solution:

When you enable **"Allow multiple values"** in parameter properties, SSRS passes a comma-separated list of selected values to the underlying dataset.

Use the `IN` operator inside your SQL query dataset definition:

```
SELECT
    ProductID,
    ProductName,
    Category
FROM Sales.Products
WHERE Category IN (@CategoryList)
```

SSRS automatically formats the parameter variable `@CategoryList` so SQL Server can process multiple selected items.

## Answers

### Answer by Ravi Vishwakarma

Passing multi-value parameters to a SQL query in SQL Server Reporting Services (SSRS) allows users to select multiple options from a drop-down list and filter report data accordingly. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to configure and use multi-value parameters in SSRS SQL queries.

## 1. Using the IN Operator in Inline SQL Queries

The simplest way to handle multi-value parameters in SSRS is by using the SQL **IN** clause directly in your dataset's inline query text. When SSRS detects a multi-value parameter inside an `IN` clause, it automatically expands the parameter array into a comma-separated list of parameters at execution time.

### Example SQL Query:

```
SELECT
    EmployeeID,
    FirstName,
    LastName,
    Department
FROM
    dbo.Employees
WHERE
    Department IN (@Department)
```

## 2. Step-by-Step Configuration in Report Builder / Visual Studio

- **Step 1: Create the Report Parameter:** Right-click on **Parameters** in the Report Data pane and select **Add Parameter**. Name it (e.g., `Department`).
- **Step 2: Enable Multi-Value:** On the **General** tab of Parameter Properties, check the box for **Allow multiple values**.
- **Step 3: Set Available Values:** Navigate to the **Available Values** tab and bind it to a dataset that provides the list of options or define specific values.
- **Step 4: Update Dataset Query:** Ensure your dataset query uses `WHERE Column IN (@ParameterName)` as shown in the example above.

## 3. Passing Multi-Value Parameters to Stored Procedures

When working with Stored Procedures, SQL Server does not automatically convert SSRS multi-value parameters into an array. To solve this, you can convert the parameter array into a single comma-separated string using an SSRS expression and split it inside SQL Server.

### Step A: Pass Joined String in Dataset Parameter Mapping

In your Dataset Properties, under the **Parameters** tab, set the value of your SQL parameter using the `JOIN` function:

```
=Join(Parameters!Department.Value, ",")
```

### Step B: Parse the String in T-SQL using STRING_SPLIT (SQL Server 2016+)

```
CREATE PROCEDURE dbo.GetEmployeesByDepartment
    @DepartmentList NVARCHAR(MAX)
AS
BEGIN
    SELECT
        EmployeeID,
        FirstName,
        LastName,
        Department
    FROM
        dbo.Employees
    WHERE
        Department IN (
            SELECT value
            FROM STRING_SPLIT(@DepartmentList, ',')
        )
END
```


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Original Source: https://answers.mindstick.com/qa/117135/how-to-pass-multi-value-parameters-to-a-sql-query-in-ssrs

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