How to: Edit or View the Source File of a Published Model or Report Definition (Report Manager)

New: 5 December 2005

If you want to view the XML syntax of a report definition or a report model at the time it was initially published, you can use Report Manager to open it from the report server database. The report definition or model will open in an application that that is associated with the XML file type (usually, a browser or an editor that you use to work with XML files).

Note that any properties modified after the report was published (for example, data source or parameters properties) will not be reflected in the XML file that you view in Report Manager.

To View a Stored Report or Model Definition

  1. Navigate to the report or model.

  2. Click the Properties tab to open the General Properties page.

  3. Click Edit.

    A read-only version of the report definition (as originally published from Report Designer) or model opens in a browser window or a code editor. You can view the XML structure of the file, save the file to the file system, or modify the XML to make specific changes. If you want to save the report definition back to the report server, you can replace the existing report or model with your modified version.

To Replace a Stored Report or Model Definition

  1. Navigate to the report or model.

  2. Click the Properties tab to open the General Properties page.

  3. Click Update.

  4. Click Browse to select the report definition (.rdl) file that replaces the current report, or the semantic model (.smdl) file that replaces the current model.

  5. Click OK.

    If you are replacing a report definition, the file that you select is copied to the report server. The properties, subscriptions, report history, and security settings of the current report remain intact. If the report uses parameters, and the name or data type is different from the original report, you must reset any parameter properties that you previously set.

    If you are replacing a model definition, the file that you select is copied to the report server and replaces the model item. Existing security settings are applied to the newer version.

See Also

Tasks

How to: Start Report Manager (Report Manager)

Concepts

Adding, Modifying, and Deleting Reports
Reports and Report Definitions
Setting Properties on a Published Report

Help and Information

Getting SQL Server 2005 Assistance