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Design Considerations for Exporting a Report as a Different File Type (Report Builder 1.0)

When you create your report in Report Builder, you are telling Report Builder what the report layout should look like and what data should be retrieved from the data source. By clicking Run Report, you are telling Report Builder to combine the layout of the report with the data from the data source. If you want to save the report as a different file type, such as Excel or a .txt file, you need to be aware that the exported report will probably not look exactly the same as it did in Report Builder. Some export options, such as CSV, save only the data from the report while other export options, such as MHTML or Excel, save the data and try to save some of the design information so that the exported report looks similar to the report you designed.

Understanding how the available exporting options change the report's look can help you make effective decisions about how best to design your report so that it looks the way you want it to look whatever its final delivery format. This topic explains important differences in how export options are used to save your report as a different file type and includes a list of topics that explain how each export option processes the design information of your report.

Export Option Comparison

Although there are no restrictions or requirements for using the different export options, some export options generate file types that are useful for specific purposes.

For example, XML and CSV export options are useful for creating files that can be used as a data feed to another application or process, while MHTML and Excel export options are useful for creating files that look more familiar to report users. Knowing whether an export option produces similar output to another option can help you make decisions about report design. For example, if you are creating reports that are intended for viewing as physical pages, you might want to focus on a design that works well in Report Builder and in the export option file type that you plan to use.

Once you have saved your report as a different file type, you can work with the resulting new file just like any other file of that type.

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