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How do I convert a RDL file that was created using the SQL2008 designer to work on SQL2005 Reporting services?
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So if you are successful with installing SQL Server 2005 on your computer (don't need the SQL Server database engine itself, just all the supporting software), then yes, you can use that to create 2005 compatible RDL files. Have you considered asking your company to upgrade their SQL Server from 2005 to a later version?
Database files that are built using SQL 2008 are not compatable with 2005. Is there a work around? Show activity on this post. No 3rd party tools necessary. SQL Server 2008 Management Studio gave us a very powerful tool to down-convert a database because they added a "Script data" option to the "Script database" wizard.
SSDT (SQL Server Data Tools) and Report Builder for 2016 cannot create RDL files for SSRS (SQL Server Report Server) 2005. At best, they can load RDL files from versions of SQL 2008 and later, and upgrade them to 2016 while loading them, however loading SQL 2005 RDL files is no longer supported.
SQL Server 2008 Management Studio gave us a very powerful tool to down-convert a database because they added a "Script data" option to the "Script database" wizard. Just right-click the DB in SQL2008 SSMS, and go to Tasks, then "Generate Scripts" Walk through the wizard, make sure to chose "True" for "Script Data" under the table/view options.
There is no specific downgrade path see this link for the official MS statement.
If you're feeling adventurous (and lucky) you could try converting your 2008 RDL to match the 2005 but I'm guessing that would be a major undertaking. RDL files are simply xml files that conform to the RDL spec which is open and published by Microsoft.
The RDL spec for reporting services 2008 is available here:
http://download.microsoft.com/download/6/5/7/6575f1c8-4607-48d2-941d-c69622e11c32/RDL_spec_08.pdf
The spec for 2005 is available here:
http://download.microsoft.com/download/c/2/0/c2091a26-d7bf-4464-8535-dbc31fb45d3c/rdlNov05.pdf
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I have the same issue. Thought that a 2008 server was about to be deployed and developed for that. My "conversion" method: Use the 2005 wizard to make the most primitive of reports, then put 2008 and 2005 side-by-side and copy stuff. Using RDP with two monitors, so I can actually cut-n-paste epressions, format strings, properties, etc.
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