Designing for XML Output
The XML rendering extension returns a report in XML format. The schema for the report XML is specific to the report, and contains data only. Layout information is not rendered by the XML rendering extension. The XML generated by this extension can be imported into a database, used as an XML data message, or sent to a custom application.
General Rules
The following table describes how report items are rendered.
| Item | Rendering behavior |
|---|---|
Report |
Renders as the top-level element of the XML document. |
Data regions |
Renders as an element within the element for its container. |
Group and detail sections |
Each instance renders as an element within the element for its container. |
Text box |
Renders as an attribute or element within its container. |
Rectangle |
Renders as an element within its container. |
Matrix column groups |
Renders as elements within row groups. |
Reports that are rendered using the XML rendering extension also have the following considerations:
- XML elements and attributes are rendered in the order that they appear in the report definition.
- Pagination is ignored.
- Page headers and footers are ignored.
- Hidden items that cannot be made visible through a toggle are not rendered. Initially visible items and hidden items that can be made visible through a toggle are rendered.
- Image, CustomReportItem, and Line are ignored.
Data Types
The text box element or attribute is assigned an XSD data type based on the values that the text box displays.
| If all text box values are | Assigned data type is |
|---|---|
Int16, Int32, Int64, UInt16, UInt32, UInt64, Byte, SByte |
xsd:integer. |
Decimal (or Decimal and any integer or byte data type) |
xsd:decimal |
Float (or Decimal and any integer or byte data type) |
xsd:float |
Double (or Decimal and any integer or byte data type) |
xsd:double |
DateTime |
xsd:dateTime |
Boolean |
xsd:boolean |
String, Char |
xsd:string |
Other |
xsd:string |
XML Elements and Attributes
For information about how the XML rendering extension renders each of the elements in the report definition, see Elements and Attributes in XML Rendering.
Custom Formats and XSL Transformations
XML files produced by the XML rendering extension can be transformed into almost any format using XSL Transformations (XSLT). This functionality can be used to produce data in formats not already supported by existing rendering extensions. Consider using the XML rendering extension and XSLT before attempting to create your own rendering extension. For more information, see Applying Transformations to XML Output.
Rendering
When you render a report using the XML rendering extension, you can specify several device information settings, including the following:
- A transformation (XSLT) to apply to the XML.
- The MIME type of the XML document.
- Whether to apply format strings to data.
- Whether to indent the XML output.
- Whether to include the XML schema name.
- The encoding for the XML document.
- The file extension of the XML document.
For more information about device information settings, see Reporting Services Device Information Settings.
In This Section
- Elements and Attributes in XML Rendering
Describes how each of the elements in the report definition are rendered by the XML rendering extension.
- Applying Transformations to XML Output
Describes how to apply XSL Transformations (XSLT) to XML output.
See Also
Concepts
Design Considerations for Report Rendering