Modify reports using Business Intelligence Development Studio

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Applies To: Dynamics CRM 2013

This topic provides information about modifying your existing Report Definition Language (RDL) file using Business Intelligence Development Studio. However, make sure that your modified RDL file conforms to the RDL schema and specifications. More information: Report Definition XML Elements

In This Topic

Work with complex SQL queries

Modify a RDL file

Add elements by using the Report Designer

Test the report

Work with complex SQL queries

While creating or modifying a SQL-based report by using the Report Wizard in Business Intelligence Development Studio, some complex SQL queries must be typed into the Generic Query Designer because of SQL query limitations in Query Builder. Use Query Builder to generate an initial simple SQL query, and then switch to Generic Query Designer to add more complex query logic.

Note

New or existing SQL queries are limited to 260 table joins. In a SQL query, the table join limitation includes your own table joins plus any table joins that are executed within the filtered views that are referred to.

When you add many string concatenations to an SQL query by using Query Designer or Builder, Business Intelligence Development Studio takes more time to refresh report items bound to the query's dataset. This results in reduced user productivity when you edit a report. For improved report writing productivity, you can bypass the report item refresh by manually editing the code for the SQL query in the Report Definition Language (RDL) file.

Modify a RDL file

  1. Open Business Intelligence Development Studio, and create a report server project. More information: How to: Create a Report Server Project (Reporting Services)

  2. In Solution Explorer, right-click the Reports folder, select Add, and then click Existing Item. The Report Wizard dialog box opens.

  3. In the Add Existing Item dialog box, select the required RDL file, and then click Add. The RDL file will be added under the Reports folder.

  4. To view the XML code of the RDL file, right-click the RDL file, and then click View Code. Make the required changes, and save the file.

    More information: Add a field to a form

Add elements by using the Report Designer

  1. Perform steps 1 through 3 as specified in Modify a RDL file.

  2. Right-click the RDL file, and then click View Designer. The report element is displayed on the Design tab.

  3. Use the Report Data pane to add datasets, select table fields, define queries, and add parameters to a report.

  4. Save the changes. This will add the required XML code for these report elements in the RDL file.

Test the report

After you finish editing the RDL file, save the changes, and switch back to the report Preview tab in Business Intelligence Development Studio to test the report. Any XML schema errors or SQL errors will be reported in Business Intelligence Development Studio.

See Also

Report Writers Guide for Microsoft Dynamics CRM 2013
Use SQL and filtered views to retrieve data for reports
Create custom reports using Business Intelligence Development Studio

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