How to open .rdl file in visual studio

问题

I am new with reporting.

I have a .rdl file in my system. I needed to open this rdl file in visual studio. When i try to open this file i got a XML file, and unable to see the designer format.

I don't know which version of visual studio is used to create this rdl file.

Now my question is

Is it possible to open a random rdl file in visual studio?

if it is not possible then what is the reason for that?

if it is possible then why i can't open the file?

and is any other files are needed to open this file?

please.....

thanks in advance

回答1:

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.

Install SSDT for Visual Studio if you haven't already done so
Create a new project using the 'Report Server Project' template
Copy/move the .rdl file(s) you have into the folder for the newly created project (eg ..\Visual Studio 2015\Projects\My Report Project\My Report Project)
Use the "Add Existing Item..." context menu option in Solution Explorer to add the .rdl to the project
Open report designer by double-clicking the newly added report project item(s)