About ad hoc parameters
An ad hoc parameter filters the data that a SQL query retrieves. The value that you provide for an ad hoc parameter modifies the WHERE clause of the report’s SQL statement to retrieve only data that meet certain criteria. An ad hoc parameter can be either optional or required.
Ad hoc parameters are supported for spreadsheet reports (.sox and .soi files). Ad hoc parameters are not supported for BIRT reports (.rptdesign files).