How to Update an Existing Dynamics 365 Custom Report RDL

Dynamics 365 supports custom reports built using SQL Server Reporting Services (SSRS) report definition language (RDL). When the situation calls for updating an existing Microsoft Dynamics 365 custom report (.RDL) but you no longer have access to the original code/solution – here is how to download and update the existing Microsoft Dynamics 365 custom report (.RDL):

First, download the existing Custom Report’s .RDL file using Microsoft Dynamics 365’s Advanced Find.

Use Advanced Find to look for “Reports“

Select the existing Dynamics 365 CRM Report and click on Edit. Action > Download Report

Next step is to open Visual Studio that is setup for Microsoft Dynamics 365 Report writing/development

Create a new project based on the “Report Server Project” template

Right click on the “Reports” folder and Add an “Existing Item…”. Select the downloaded .RDL file from above step

Open (double-click) on the .RDL file and begin updating custom report in the “Design” tab

Click on the “Preview” tab to build the updated .RDL file.

The updated .RDL file is located in the Project directory. Use Advanced Find to edit the existing custom report and choose the updated .RDL file.

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Frank Lee
12 times awarded Microsoft MVP – Dynamics 365 / CRM
San Francisco Bay Area | Silicon Valley