XML Error arises when validating or submitting a data set query for a data-driven subscription

Question

Recently we upgraded our SQL Server and Reporting Services. SQL Server went from 2014 to 2019 and Reporting Services went from 2014 to 2022.

I am using Visual Studio 2019 to create the reports for SSRS. I have recently changed the properties of the project to specify that the "TargetServerVersion" is "SQL Server 2016 or later". (Though this setting doesn't change my results.)

I noticed the first time I tried to create a data-driven subscription, that when I attempted to create the dataset for the data-driven subscription, when I press the button "Validate Query" or when I click the "Apply" button, I get an XML error like:

In the log (ReportingServicesService_2023_11_10_16_19_21.log) it looks like this (for a throwaway "hello world" report):

library!ReportServer_0-1!1f7c!11/10/2023-19:51:43:: i INFO: Call to GetItemTypeAction(/Dev/231110 DeleteMeNowReport). User: <DOMAIN><USER>.

library!ReportServer_0-1!1f7c!11/10/2023-19:51:43:: i INFO: Call to GetReportParametersAction(/Dev/231110 DeleteMeNowReport). User: <DOMAIN><USER>.

library!ReportServer_0-1!1f7c!11/10/2023-19:51:43:: i INFO: Call to GetItemTypeAction(/Dev/231110 DeleteMeNowReport). User: <DOMAIN><USER>.

library!ReportServer_0-1!1f7c!11/10/2023-19:51:43:: i INFO: Call to GetReportParametersAction(/Dev/231110 DeleteMeNowReport). User: <DOMAIN><USER>.

library!ReportServer_0-1!1f7c!11/10/2023-19:53:22:: e ERROR: Throwing Microsoft.ReportingServices.Diagnostics.Utilities.InvalidXmlException: , Microsoft.ReportingServices.Diagnostics.Utilities.InvalidXmlException: The input XML does not conform to the schema. XML grammar is described in the API documentation. For XML in reports, refer to Report Definition Language syntax.;

I have tried workarounds like setting the "TargetServerVersion" back to "SQL Server 2008 R2, 2012 or 2014" but no change. I have tried to edit the data set for an old data-driven subscription and I don't have any problem, but anything I upload from Visual Studio will not allow the specification or validation or editing of the data-driven subscription dataset.

I'm all out of arrows in my quiver. I hope someone has some ideas. Reinstall Visual Studio? Reinstall SSRS? I've tried tongue in both cheeks. No joy!

Thanks in advance!

Answer 1

The short answer turns out to be that SSRS 2022 is not compatible with SQL Server 2019 even though Microsoft states clearly that it is.

I don't fully understand the reason, but after I downgraded to SSRS 2019 the problem went away.

Answer 2

Hi @Robert Spann

When SSRS is upgraded, the report server database will be automatically upgraded. After the schema is updated, the upgrade cannot be rolled back to the previous version. It will be difficult to downgrade the database without backing up both databases before upgrading.

Maybe you can refer to this thread and see if the discussion there is helpful to you: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/answers/questions/921397/ssrs-downgrade-2019-to-2017.

If the answer is helpful, please click Accept Answer and Up-Vote for the same. If you have any questions, please feel free to let me know.

Best regards,

Aniya