SSRS 2019 RDL Internal/Hidden Parameter Shows as blank

Question

Details:
Server Deployment:
1. SQL Server 2019 Version 15.0.4223.1
2. SQL Server Reporting Services Version 15.0.8115.18148
3. ReportServer Database Compatibility is 2019 (150)

Visual Studios:
1. 2019 (Microsoft.ReportingServices.Designer.dll - Version Major 15).

Question:
How do I fix the blank SSRS 2019 Report Parameters when I deploy as 2016 or newer?

Issue:
If I deploy as 2008-2014 the Internal/Hidden parameters hide properly. If I deploy with 2016 or Later, the Internal/Hidden parameters hold a blank space in the deployed RDL (I assume there is an issue with the Visual Studios deployment, but could be the XML interpretation on the server).

Other Notes:
I saw that there was a fix for this for 2016.

KB4025021 - FIX: Blank spaces in the parameter area when you open SSRS report that contains Hidden or Internal parameters in SQL Server 2016

Thanks for any and all help!

Answer 1

Hi @Tony Cannon

You can upload an .rdl file created in an earlier version of Reporting Services to the new version and it is automatically upgraded on first use. The report server stores the report definition file in the original format. The report is automatically upgraded the first time it is viewed, but the stored report definition file remains unchanged.

From the official document ：https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/sql/reporting-services/install-windows/upgrade-reports?view=sql-server-ver16

Best Regards,
Isabella

Answer 2

So I found out that when you add multiple Internal Parameters prior to a Visible Parameter, the balance of the XML Column/Row Numbers is thrown off. I believe Microsoft fixed when there is a single Internal prior to a Visible Parameter, but still has issues when MULTIPLE hidden/internal parameters are back to back. See Below Image.

Answer 3

The only fix that I can figure out is editing the XML for every report and I cannot do this for my organization due to the number of reports. I have to modify the the Parameter Layout to keep an even number of Columns (so instead of 3 columns with 2 rows, I edited to have 2 columns with 3 rows). Without knowing how MS developed the Table Interpretation (removing hidden cells or apply hidden attributes to the parameter table definition, this is the best I can tell others).

On the first Row, I have a single Internal Column.
On the Second Row, an Internal and Visible Column.
On the Third Row, an Internal and Visible Column.

<ReportParametersLayout>
<GridLayoutDefinition>
<NumberOfColumns>2</NumberOfColumns>
<NumberOfRows>3</NumberOfRows>
<CellDefinitions>
<CellDefinition>
<ColumnIndex>0</ColumnIndex>
<RowIndex>0</RowIndex>
<ParameterName>Internal1</ParameterName>
</CellDefinition>
<CellDefinition>
<ColumnIndex>0</ColumnIndex>
<RowIndex>1</RowIndex>
<ParameterName>internal2</ParameterName>
</CellDefinition>
<CellDefinition>
<ColumnIndex>1</ColumnIndex>
<RowIndex>1</RowIndex>
<ParameterName>Visible1</ParameterName>
</CellDefinition>
<CellDefinition>
<ColumnIndex>0</ColumnIndex>
<RowIndex>2</RowIndex>
<ParameterName>Internal3</ParameterName>
</CellDefinition>
<CellDefinition>
<ColumnIndex>1</ColumnIndex>
<RowIndex>2</RowIndex>
<ParameterName>Visible2</ParameterName>
</CellDefinition>
</CellDefinitions>
</GridLayoutDefinition>
</ReportParametersLayout>