I have an .rdl file that I need to open in Visual Studio. When I try to open this file, I got an XML file. However, I am unable to see the designer format.
I don't know which version of Visual Studio is used to create this .rdl file.
Is it possible to open a random .rdl file in Visual Studio and see the designer format and, if so, how can I do that?
In Visual Studio, locate the report that you want to run in SSRS from the Solution Explorer window. Right-click on the report's name and select Run. This will open your default browser with a link directly to the report itself.
What is an RDL file? The RDL (Report Definition Language) is a benchmark set by the Microsoft for defining reports. An RDL file consists of one or many RDL Element. Whereas an RDL element consists of its data type and cardinality. An element can be simple or complex.
Correct, the Report Definition Language is just XML. And, as with any other file, you can just open it (File/Open/File...) in Visual Studio, just like in a text editor. In order to see a designer you need to give Visual Studio a bit of context about what sort of file it is by making it part of a Report Server Project.
For opening RDL file in designer make sure you have " Microsoft Reporting Services Projects" Installed.
Refer this : https://marketplace.visualstudio.com/items?itemName=ProBITools.MicrosoftReportProjectsforVisualStudio
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